Brains Matter: supporting more people affected by brain injury

The cause

Brains Matter is a charitable social enterprise based in Turnbridge Wells, West Kent assisting adults who have been affected by brain injury, either as a result of an accident or illness, such as a stroke, brain tumour or haemorrhage.

The team provides a Community Wellbeing Service for adults with an acquired brain injury to receive bespoke one-to-one support. This includes support groups offering social opportunities to meet with others, gain support and access information and advice. They also run an activity centre, in the heart of the town, creating a safe, friendly and relaxed environment for those living with the effects of brain injury to spend time in, socialise with others who may share similar experiences and participate in stimulating and varied activities. 

The objectives

Brains Matter is the only specialist organisation of its type in Tunbridge Wells that provides dedicated neuro-rehabilitation support to adults with head injuries in the West Kent region. In 2020, the Kent Public Health Observatory produced a report* that found that West Kent as part of the Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group** has one of the highest rates of traumatic brain injury admissions in the region with 320 admissions per 100,000 population.

Brains Matter has had consistent demand for its services and also has a waiting list of prospective clients. 

As a result of the pandemic, Brains Matter witnessed a decrease in revenue levels, due to people being unable to attend paid-for, in-person sessions and a lack of grant funding available post-pandemic. Therefore, in 2023, Brains Matter applied to CAF’s social investment fund for a blended finance package (part unsecured loan/part grant) to bolster their working capital, strengthen their income streams and rebuild the charity’s reserves.

* Traumatic-Brain-Injury.pdf (kpho.org.uk)
** Now known as the NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board