COWICHAN BRAIN INJURY SOCIETY

COWICHAN BRAIN INJURY SOCIETY PROVIDES REHABILITATION SUPPORT AND INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO THE BOARD COMMUNITY OF THE COWICHAN VALLEY WITH A FOCUS ON CLIENTS WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. WE OFFER A RANGE OF SUPPORT AND SERVICES INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SESSIONS WORKSHOPS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT. WE BRING EDUCATION THROUGH COMMUNITY EVENTS SUCH AS INTRODUCTION TO BRAIN INJURY BIKE AND SCOOTER RODEOS HELMET SAFETY AND FALL PREVENTION. CURRENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE IN PERSON WORKSHOPS: APHASIA CAFÉ FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY COMMUNICATING AND UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE BALANCE BASICS WHICH TEACHES THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BALANCE PEER SOCIALS FOR CONNECT CLIENTS INTO COMMUNITY THROUGH DINING OUT MOVIE NIGHTS TRIPS TO THE LOCAL BOWLING ALLEY WALKS AND (NOW CLOSED) POOL HALL PEER CONNECTIONS WITH CLIENTS ATTENDING WEEKLY FOR A VARIETY OF FUN PROJECTS SUCH AS NEEDLEWORK ART WOODWORKING AND PROVIDES A SAFE PLACE TO HAVE OPEN DISCUSSIONS AND CONNECT WITH OTHERS WITH ABI. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS: BI-MONTHLY WE OFFER INTRODUCTION TO BRAIN INJURY AND BRAIN FIT TOOL BOX BOTH ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A MORE RECENT ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH AN ABI WE PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR THOSE TO MEET AND SHARE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. WE ALSO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AT SENIOR/ASSISTED LIVING CENTRES AT SCHOOLS FOR THE RCMP COMMUNITY POLICING AND AS REQUESTED. WE HAVE ALSO SUPPORTED PEOPLE UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO OUR LOCATION BY TAKING SOME SERVICES TO THE LOCAL SHELTERS. TWO OF THE CASE MANAGERS TOOK A SOLUTION-FOCUSED BRIEF THERAPY TRAINING PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDED THEM WITH THE SKILLS TO SUPPORT A COUNSELLING COMPONENT TO THE SERVICES OFFER. AS WELL COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WERE MADE WITH OTHER AGENCIES SO WE OFFERED REFERRALS SUCH AS HOUSING SUBSTANCE ABUSE CONNECTIONS AND WITH WORKBC FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. WE HOSTED VIRTUAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING WEEKLY LET'S GET BRAIN FIT A MONTHLY BOOK CLUB AND MEMORY CHALLENGES ALL INTENDED TO ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS IN CONGNITIVE EXERCISE. IN THIS FISCAL YEAR A MUSIC THERAPY GROUP WAS HELP WHERE ATTENDEES LEARNED TO PLAY THE DJEMBE DRUM AND JOINED THE FACILITATOR AS HE PLAYED GUITAR AND KEYBOARD. WE ALSO RECEIVED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO OFFER A LOCAL MEN'S SHED OPPORTUNITY WHERE LIKE MINDED PEOPLE GATHERED TO CREATE SELLABLE PRODUCTS MADE THROUGH WOODWORKING SKILLS...