Charity Partnership Set To Launch This Month
Law firm Irwin Mitchell has joined forces with Brainwave to become the charity’s first legal partner.
The partnership aims to help families who are seeking advice and professional services from the legal sector regarding their child’s disability, and will form part of the family’s journey with Brainwave.
Irwin Mitchell has supported the charity for many years through event sponsorship, volunteering and fund-raising, and this latest move will no doubt add to the ongoing support available to those involved.
Additionally, Brainwave will be hosting a Free Will Week from 22 to 26 February, enabling supporters, families, staff and volunteers to have their wills prepared online, by phone or face to face with a solicitor.
Auriana Griffiths, partner and specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Brainwave is a fantastic organisation which provides valuable help to families of children affected by disability.
“It’s been a pleasure to support the charity and we are delighted to be named as its first legal partner.
“We look forward to continuing our work with everyone involved.”
Brainwave’s Chief Executive Keith Sinclair said: “We have been delivering essential therapies to children with disabilities for over 38 years, and to have Irwin Mitchell on board as our official legal partner is fantastic for the families we work with by providing them with professional legal advice.
“The firm will also help with facilitating our Free Will Week later this month.”
Hudson, nine, has cerebral palsy and has been following a therapy programme through Brainwave since 2015. He was recently awarded a Certificate of Achievement, having made incredible progress with his physiotherapy, sensory integration, and speech and language therapy.
His mum Suzanne said: “Hudson had his reassessment with Brainwave last October. It was, as always, a great day. The team are so supportive and positive, and they also give us new challenges to work on.
“During lockdown, we were doing the therapy programme five days a week. That has definitely been a game changer and Hudson is now walking independently.”
Carmela, who turns seven next month, lives with a muscle-wasting condition, requires daily physiotherapy and has been involved with Brainwave for the last two years. She was unable to attend the centre last year due to Covid-19 and being listed as critically vulnerable. However, she continued her therapy through the charity’s virtual therapy service, Brainwave Online.
Her mum Lucy said: “Carmela’s condition means all her skeletal muscles will progressively weaken over time, resulting in not being able to walk or use her arms.
“The charity has really been a lifesaver, providing us with home therapy exercises and equipment, and Brainwave Online has been brilliant this past year.
“To save waiting time online and for the physiotherapists to thoroughly assess Carmela, we sent short clips of her carrying out her previous prescribed exercises a few days before the virtual session. This meant they could assess her current ability thoroughly.
“Carmela absolutely loved it because she didn’t have to travel. She was comfortable and also liked the fact that she could play in her room during breaks.
“I would definitely recommend using Brainwave’s virtual therapy service for anyone with children who have complex physical needs that make travelling difficult.”
For more information on Brainwave, visit https://www.brainwave.org.uk/.