Brain injury

Acquired brain injury, ABI, traumatic brain injury, TBI, head injury

What is brain injury?

An acquired brain injury (ABI) is an injury you were not born with. This includes both traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries.

What causes brain injury?

A brain injury, or head injury, is caused by an injury to the head or face.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by an assault, fall or accident. A non-traumatic brain injury (NTBI) may be caused by events such as a stroke, tumour or a lack of oxygen to the brain.

What are the symptoms of brain injury?

The effects and severity of a brain injury vary. This means that each person may experience different challenges and difficulties, depending on the part of the brain affected. Therefore, the long-term symptoms of brain injury also vary, but can include:

  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Problems with the senses
  • Memory issues
  • Difficulties concentrating
  • Emotional and behavioural changes

Are you affected by Brain injury?

If you’re affected by brain injury, The Brain Charity can support you.

We are the only charity in the UK to be here for every one of the more than 600 different neurological conditions in existence. Individually, many are rare, but combined, they affect 1 in 6 people.

We provide practical help on all aspects of living with a brain injury, emotional support such as counselling, phone befriending and group therapy and social activities to people with brain injuries from all over the UK from our centre in Liverpool.

Looking to talk to someone?

Woman smiling, making eye contact and holding the hand of another woman to comfort her

Phone us

Contact The Brain Charity now

Our friendly Information & Advice Officers are here to help. We endeavour to respond to all enquiries within 10 working days.

0151 298 2999

Looking to talk to someone?

  • Please tell us which neurological condition you are affected by and what you need support with.

Caring for someone affected by Brain injury

We support carers, friends and family too

Are you a carer for or relative of someone with a brain injury? It’s just as important for you to look after your own physical and mental wellbeing too.

The Brain Charity provides free support for carers, friends and family of people with any form of neurological condition, including brain injury, from anywhere in the UK.

We also run an additional carers advocacy service for all carers in Liverpool, regardless of which type of condition the person they care for has.

You don’t need to be a formal or registered carer

We can help you even if you don’t view yourself as a formal carer or claim Carer’s Allowance. Find out some of the ways we support carers below.

Carer support from The Brain Charity in Liverpool Practical help

Support for carers

All The Brain Charity's services are free for carers and family members of people with neurological conditions too.
Get help
Legal advice at The Brain Charity in LIverpool Practical help

Expert legal advice you can trust

Expert legal advice for people with brain injuries and neurological conditions.
Get help
View all

Other resources

The Brain Charity's library

The Brain Charity's free public library has a range of resources on brain injury

Visit our library to read

or search the catalogue online here.

Support groups

Headway

Find support in your area. HeathUnlocked and Headway also have an online forum.

Child Brain Injury Trust

Find support in your area.

Support groups at The Brain Charity

Are you interested in setting up a brain injury support group, or do you already run one? Email activities@thebraincharity.org.uk to let us know.

Alternatively, you can check out our list of related support groups here.

Other charities

Headway (charity working to improve life after brain injury)

Helpline: 0808 800 2244
Website: www.headway.org.uk

Brain and Spine Foundation

Helpline: 0808 808 1000
Website: www.brainandspine.org.uk

Brake (road safety charity)

Helpline for road crash victims: 0808 800 0401
Website: www.brake.org.uk

UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (charity promoting a better understanding of acquired brain injuries)

Helpline: 0845 608 0788
Website: ukabif.org.uk

Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Development (charity offering treatment to people with brain injuries and learning difficulties)

Helpline: 0800 028 6256
Website: www.birdcharity.org.uk

Child Brain Injury Trust (for families and professionals affected by childhood acquired brain injury)

Website: childbraininjurytrust.org.uk

SameYou (charity for young adults with brain injury and stroke)

Website: www.sameyou.org