Who we are and what we offer
About Us
Do you need more information? Read on to find out more!
Headway Darlington & District is an independent charity based in Darlington but working with adults with traumatic and acquired brain injury across Darlington, the Dales, Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.
We offer support, advice and education survivors, family, friends and carers in our local area. There are many different causes of brain injury and its effects are complex and wide ranging. We try to support each individual’s circumstances, needs and aspirations with our range of sessions.
We believe that every one of our members has something to contribute to both Headway Darlington & District and their own wider community. We have craft projects, games and group sessions to help every member utilise their skills. We welcome survivors family too as members to help understand and promote awareness and understanding of brain injury.
We also provide information and are planning to offer education to other interested groups and training to professionals and businesses.
How are we funded?
As an independent charity, Headway Darlington & District is responsible for raising all the money it needs to rent premises, run services and develop new initiatives like our plans for paid staff to further support our members and their families. We are planning to raise £50k over the next year through community fundraising, corporate sponsorship and grants.
Our Members
Our Volunteers
Our Supporters
Our Board
Can You Help?
Our Mission
Is to promote understanding of all aspects of brain injury for both individuals and the wider community via support, advice and educational services.
Our Vision
By providing the support, advice and education to our brain injury survivors we hope to improve the outcomes for the individual, the family and the wider society affected by the life changing impact of brain injury.
Board and trustees
Our board is made up of trustees and committee members. We are a strong team, passionate about delivering services to address the urgent need and gaps in provision for brain injury survivors.
David Dorman-Smith
David has considerable experience working with both the private and charitable sectors as Managing Director of a HR Consultancy providing Human Resource support and advice to a wide range of organisations.
His support for charities includes being a Trustee of several charities and offering funding support as well as professional services.
Having retired from business, he now enjoys a number of leisure activities including watercolour painting, singing and gardening.
Geoff Field - Treasurer
Geoff is a qualified accountant with over 40 years experience in the manufacturing and retail sectors in the North East of England.
He retired from full time employment in 2018 and now volunteers as an auditor for a local church and a local sports club.
Other interests include music and sport, particularly football
Dorothy Barclay
Dorothy has worked in both Industry and Education throughout her career and has now retired to support her husband who has a brain injury.
Dorothy has 30 years experience of dealing with brain injury related situations.
Dorothy keeps fit with regular swimming and cycling, looking after her small granddaughter and travelling…lots!
Hannah Fitzpatrick
Hannah is a serious injury solicitor and works with many cases where her clients have sustained serious brain injury.
Hannah will be taking on the role of company secretary and is looking forward to learning more about life after brain injury.
Rebecca Cakebread
Rebecca works full time as a civil servant and works on government policy and programmes related to local government. She lives in Darlington, having swapped a fast paced London life for the North East a few years ago after developing epilepsy.
She loves crafts and finds any kind of art really therapeutic when recovering from seizures
David Tarttelin
David used to work for the Environment Agency until his retirement a few years ago. He is an avid walker, likes to spend time with family and friends and also leads a number of our weekly sessions at Headway.
Mandy Waterson
Mandy joined Headway Darlington in February 2025 having retired as a Day Services Officer at Darlington Borough Council. Mandy has considerable experience working with people with a learning disability and has joined Headway Darlington as its part-time Development Officer.
Mandy can be reached by email at info@headwaydarlington.org.uk
Get In Touch
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