Headway Emergency Fund Volunteer Administrator

Headway Emergency Fund Volunteer Administrator

What is the Headway Emergency Fund?

The Headway Emergency Fund was established in June 2011 to help families and individuals cope with the practical implications of a sudden catastrophic brain injury.

Applications to the fund can be made by:

·  Survivors of a brain injury

·  Family members

·  Headway Helpline staff

·  Headway Acute Trauma Support Nurses

·  Headway Groups and Branches

·  Headway Regional Co-ordinators

·  Clinicians such as doctors, nurses and GPs

·  Other professionals such as support workers and social services

Grants of up to £500 can be made to help support families and individuals. Grants can be made for:

·  Families facing financial hardship

·  Travel costs for families visiting relatives in hospital or rehabilitation

·  Emergency accommodation costs

·  Breaks for carers

·  Additional family costs in the immediate aftermath of a brain injury

Applications are considered by the Executive Committee of Headway UK.

Process

Applications are received three main ways:

·  Via an online form, which is emailed to the Chief Executive’s inbox

·  By post

·  By fax

We have also received applications via email from members of the Headway movement.

When an application has been received it is photocopied and either the Office Administrator or PA to Chief Executive will enter the data onto a spreadsheet.

It is then the Volunteer Administrator’s role to check that the information given on the application is accurate. This can entail:

·  Contacting the applicant if necessary to obtain as much information as possible

·  Contacting the GP if the applicant is no longer in hospital and confirming that the information we have been given is correct. This often entails phoning the surgery and then sending a fax to confirm the information provided

·  Contacting hospitals to speak with ward staff or consultants to confirm that the individual is in hospital and has sustained a brain injury

·  Contacting professionals applying on behalf of an individual to verify the information they have provided

·  Online research

Once we have all the information required applications can then be discussed with the Chief Executive, who will make a recommendation.

The Office Administrator or PA to Chief Executive will then email the Executive Committee with the application and recommendation from the Chief Executive. The Executive Committee will endeavour to make a decision as soon as possible.

Once a decision has been made the applicant can be contacted by phone or email / letter as required.

Payments will be arranged by either the Office Administrator or PA to Chief Executive and an email will be sent confirming the support being offered to the applicant. Once all payments have been completed a final letter is sent, along with some Headway publications and leaflets.