Typically caused as the result of a car accident, stroke, disease or assault, an acquired brain injury can have a profound impact on a person’s life, and that of their families. At present, 30,000 people live with an acquired brain injury in Scotland. The lack of appropriate longer-term care and rehabilitation invariably results in Scottish people being sent to England, causing patients to feel uprooted and forcing families to make lengthy journeys to visit relatives. Many thousands of notably younger, people will require a considerable amount of ongoing care and one-to-one support to cope with the often devastating longer-term effects of a traumatic brain injury. These effects include loss of memory, an inability to concentrate, sudden mood swings, and aggressive or very challenging behaviour patterns Construction is currently underway at Graham Anderson House, and the 25 bed unit is due to open in October 2009. There is no comparable facility in the region undertaking the specialist type of rehabilitation that we are able to offer. Clients will be involved in structured daily independency programmes including occupational therapy, physio, and speech and language therapy. This is hoped to reduce challenging behaviour of service-users, enabling them to integrate into the wider community. SVQ courses will be available through our ‘Opportunities To Achieve’ will contribute to service users personal development, enhancing feelings of self-confidence and achievement. It will also demonstrate service users’ abilities to external organisations such as employers and mainstream education or training providers. Weekly recreational activities will also be available e.g. trips to specialist adventure holiday centres. The activities on offer will be as diverse as the clients we receive and local resources will be used as much as possible. Our new brain injury hospital is located in Springburn which is one of the most deprived areas in the whole of Scotland. Springburn has a far lower life expectancy than the rest of Scotland and 4 times as many people are admitted to hospital because of drug misuse compared to the rest of Scotland. Alcohol and drug related degenerative diseases that affect the brain will be treated in our new service. Through various events in the local area we will be raising awareness of substance misuse and the effects of acquired brain injury. It is anticipated that other community-based rehabilitation services will be created in the Glasgow area to create a continuum of service for people leaving our new hospital. People will have the chance to live in supported housing, or their own homes and still receive all the support they need 24 hours a day. The new service will be fully financially viable within a short period, allowing for initial set-up costs, such as staff recruitment. Core income will come from fees from contracts with relevant health authorities and social services departments. After initial start-up costs at the new service will be completely self-sustainable. Funding for the construction of the service has been covered but we are seeking further funding towards the fitting out and equipment costs to make the new service fully operational. For more information on our services please contact us on the details below or visit our website www.disabilities-trust.org.uk