Nestled between the rolling hills of Derbyshire, our specialist brain injury rehabilitation service Markham House are making a massive difference to the people we support. Every day, our specially trained team work together to nurture a happy home and improve the lives of those navigating neurological trauma. With a diverse, experienced support team, our life-changing support is underpinned by expertise and empathy. Recently, this was perfectly demonstrated when they received their latest Headway accreditation – and achieved a ground-breaking result!
Headway – the brain injury association – assess and accredit our brain injury rehabilitation homes. Adding a layer of external governance, they help us ensure our support is truly benefitting the lives of the people we support.
During their recent accreditation assessment, Markham House received incredible feedback, painting a picture of how their support is changing lives every day. The accreditation kicked off their summer with a bang, and they’re ensuring they continue making it a year to remember with a series of exciting events and activities. Always thinking creatively and infusing fun into daily life, their Headway accreditation applauded their commitment to making life joyful for the people we support.
Prioritising person-centredness
Markham House’s most recent Headway assessment was the first one for Service Manager Paula, who joined us in 2024. With the support of Deputy Manager Rebecca and the wider Markham House team, they navigated the inspection with confidence.
Headway praised our team for their clear commitment to ensuring current brain injury information was available throughout the home. With plenty of boards and leaflets presenting accessible information, everyone in the home is fully informed about their rehabilitation pathway. Guests also have access to these vital insights, offering reassurance and a sense of inclusion to the friends and family of the people who live there.
The assessment process involves different evaluations, including reviewing individual care and support plans. At Markham House, the assessor looked for clear examples of our housemates leading enriched, fulfilling lives through person-centred support. They considered things like community engagement and our team’s advocacy for individual identity, values, ethics, and preferences.
Markham House are keen advocates for community connections. Recognising the strength and value obtained from relationships outside the home, social connection is woven into their support. Alongside reinforcing a sense of belonging and boosting self-perception, community connections also enhance practical skills development, increasing positive outcomes.
Engaging with the wider community fosters valuable opportunities to build better understanding and increase awareness around brain injuries. The Headway inspector praised this as a positive step towards enhancing the lives of the people we support. Paula and the team are actively working to place Markham House at the heart of their community, seeking out opportunities to welcome local people into their home:
“We’re in the process of arranging a brain injury rehab forum in our area. Members of the public and professionals who might be involved with a brain injury rehab pathway can come along, share ideas, and meet with the people we support – who will be integral to the forums. They’re the ones whose lives are affected, so they should be empowered to tell others about their experiences and what support they need to live with dignity and independence.”
~ Paula Pashley, Registered Manager
At Markham House, the assessor was keen to learn about how the people we support engage their creativity. Artistic activities exercise parts of the brain that regulate many emotional and communicative responses. Forming an important part of the rehabilitation experience, creativity also supports self-esteem, confidence, and invites deeper self-expression.
Paula and the team ensure creativity is stitched into daily routines in a way that suits each person we support. Using a person-centred approach, they nurture individual interests while promoting self-expression through artistic exploration. They focus on aligning activities with goals, providing functional pathways for progress – as well as joyful experiences.
“The Headway assessor noted how thorough our care plans were. We ensure they’re detailed and full of photographic evidence of the people we support enjoying fulfilling, meaningful activities. We also have lots of boards around the home with photos on. They display just how much fun we have at home and when we’re in the community.”
~ Paula Pashley, Registered Manager
Our team’s Outstanding accreditation reflects their dedication to flexible, holistic support that meets the needs and wishes of the people we support. Held at the centre of decision making, our team’s support is guided by their choices.
During their accreditation, Headway noted the Markham House resident’s committee as key to ensuring the people we support are at the heart of their home. Monthly meetings offer opportunities for them to express their opinions and unite as a community to make decisions about their home.
They ensure everyone has equal opportunities to do the activities they enjoy. For example, some housemates like going to the seaside, but some support needs prevent them from making these longer trips. So, the team at Markham House decided to bring the seaside to them! This is just one of many exciting activities they’ve planned to continue the celebration of their Headway accreditation success!
When Paula and our team at Markham House received their accreditation result, they immediately shared the news with the people we support. Everyone was delighted with the outcome and couldn’t wait to mark the occasion!
Initially, they had an intimate party at home, with their favourite foods and fun activities. Understanding how important activities and events are to the people we support, our team ensure they’re a regular occurrence throughout the year. Armed with news of their outstanding accreditation, they’ve ensured this year is extra special with more memorable events and activities.
In June, the household honoured D-Day with a 1940s themed party. Everybody dressed up in period outfits and enjoyed lots of lively games, as well as tea and cake.
July was the month they held their first “jungle” day! A company specialising in small animal experiences contacted Paula, and she knew this was the perfect opportunity for everyone at Markham House. For the event, the animal handler brought a range of exotic animals for the people we support, their friends and family, to interact with. They enjoyed safely handling a giant centipede, snakes, hamsters, geckos, and a bearded dragon. Everyone got involved and loved this session. For the occasion, some of the people we support even got dressed up and the service was decorated like a jungle.
Later in the day, they engaged in an exciting bear-themed treasure hunt in the afternoon. Each bear was guardian of an individual letter, which the people we support had to collect and figure out what the message was!
This August, they held a beach-themed day and arranged for an ice cream man to attend. Beneath the summer sun, they recreated the beach with sand and inflatable beach balls. The household love to dress up, so they all donned some beach-themed clothes.
These events are an important part of life at Markham House and add an essential layer to their rehabilitation delivery. Providing a sense of community, vibrant events support socialisation between the people we support, their support team, and with their neighbours in the local area.
“Events are great for social skills and confidence. They help people feel included and take the focus off their rehabilitation. Sparking creativity, they support people to express things they might otherwise struggle with. Different parts of the brain are activated, and different skills are engaged. They’re also fun – and that’s the most important thing for the people we support. They deserve joy in everyday life.”
~ Paula Pashley, Registered Manager
Discover more!
Learn more about our specialist support at Markham House on our dedicated web page!
Here you can read the latest news, blog posts and views from our staff, the people we support and their families at our services across the UK.
