Be part of the solution
Every effort to help us by choosing to be part of the solution is hugely important and always gratefully received.
There are many ways in which you can help…
– Aristotle
Donate
Your donation enables us to support even more players affected by sports-related dementia or CTE, along with their families, at the time they need it most.
It’s important that we raise awareness across our three pillars. Your donation will directly fund our Care and Support, Education, or Research programmes.
Fundraise
Whether you are cycling, running, swimming, climbing, or even skipping, we are here to help you set up your fundraising page, provide guidance on reaching your target, and boost your social reach by sharing your posts with our growing network.
We know our fundraisers train hard for the challenges they set, and we truly appreciate the time and effort they dedicate to making a difference in their busy lives. Email us with your ideas, and we’ll be happy to help you achieve your fundraising goals.
Volunteer
We are fortunate to have experts in their fields who generously give their time to help us achieve our goals.
We are always open to connecting with people who wish to contribute their time and showcase their skills. If you would like get more involved and become part of our team, please send us an email to let us know how you would like to contribute.
While we truly appreciate every offer of volunteering, our time is limited, so we carefully craft our projects and programmes to ensure they’re the best they can be.
We have big plans within a small team, so if we can’t use your skills right away, we would love to keep your details safe so if the opportunity arises, we can maximise our collective efforts.
Legacy
We are deeply honoured and humbled that people choose to donate to Head for Change in lieu of flowers or leave a gift in their Will.
During such a difficult time, it means so much to us that people think of choosing to be part of the solution in such a thoughtful way. By remembering your loved one through MuchLoved, you can personalise your tribute and share those who also want to honour your special person.
Your tribute page will remain on MuchLoved for as long as you wish and the memories, lit candles and virtual gifts are often comforting to revisit in years to come. Please visit MuchLoved, to create a tribute page or visit our Kit Bag page to understand more about leaving something in your Will. We always feel inspired in learning about those who have passed and knowing they or their loved ones have made such a thoughtful decision by supporting us in such a kind way.
Sponsor
We recognise the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility and if you or a corporate entity that you know aligns with Head for Change’s mission, we welcome a discussion about the sponsorship opportunities available.
There are a number of ways in which your sponsorship can be used to align with your values through one of our three pillars: Care and Support, Education and Research
By choosing to sponsor Head for Change, you are choosing to be part of the solution, prioritising brain health in sport and creating a world where sport is as good for the brain as it is for the body.
Tom; My experience with Head for Change.
When I first heard about Head for Change I immediately thought this is something I want to be involved with. I love rugby, but having suffered a life changing brain injury as the result of a rugby tackle aged 16, I believe there is a need for change in the sport.
The injury I sustained was a rupture of the Innominate artery which resulted in a hypoxic brain injury. I underwent open heart surgery to repair the artery and had two brain operations, one to remove half of my skull and the other 6 months later to replace it with a titanium plate. I have found it very difficult learning to live with the effects of my injury and have been very low at times. I think if a charity like Head for Change had been there to facilitate meeting others going through similar challenges it may have helped me.
Tackling the NDD crisis in football – what are the possible solutions?
As a final year law student, I had come to encounter much legal theory throughout my degree studies. Yet, I came to challenge Aristotle’s view that “the law is reason, free from passion”, upon choosing my dissertation topic. Apologies to all my degree teachers that warned us on our first day of Law School, never to try and start any piece of written work with a quote from Ancient Greek Philosophers. I’m sure I’ll be forgiven considering that my dissertation topic became and remains a ‘passion project’ of mine, as the 12,000 words were not one of black letter law and statutes in white books but one of a personal dedication, to my grandad Nobby.
Given my personal experience with dementia in football, it was clear that I was biased – but my goal was not to engage in a ‘blame game’ but instead use the research available to propose solutions, spurred on by the increasing number of anecdotal accounts shared by families of former players suffering from NDDs caused by the game they loved. Following on from Glasgow Brain Injury Research Group’s FIELD conclusions, I like many of former footballer’s families affected by neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) now had scientific evidence that footballers were three and a half times more likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases in comparison to the general population – so how could the law intervene to protect player welfare?
Follow and Share
By following, sharing and engaging you are raising awareness, so please join us on social media and let’s spread the word and make a positive change for brain health in sport.