A group of 10 Northern Trust Brain Injury Service users and the staff that support them have been playing Newtownabbey Footgolf to help their recovery from brain injury as part of their community based rehabilitation following acquired brain injury.
The Northern Trust Brain Injury Service (NTBIS) is a highly specialist service that provides assessment, assessment and rehabilitation for those with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) who are 16 years and up.
The NTBIS is provides interdisciplinary assessment and therapy. The service focuses on dealing with the range of deficits caused by acquired brain injury and aims to reduce these allowing the injured person to reintegrate into family, social, education and work situations.
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The NTBIS delivers therapy and rehabilitation programmes in the home, the community and at a number of bases including Mid Ulster, Ballymena and Whiteabbey.
Fiona Curley, Occupational Therapist, Northern Trust Brain Injury Service said: "Physical activity is an important part of rehabilitation for individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.
“Our service users have had a lot of fun playing footgolf together at Newtownabbey Footgolf. Here they can take part in a satisfying physical activity in a safe environment with staff from the brain injury service.
"Playing Newtownabbey Footgolf allows those individuals with brain injuries to combine several elements of recovery: physical, mental, thinking, communication, learning and importantly social interaction in an inclusive and beautiful environment, where everyone can take part."
Newtownabbey Footgolf is NI’s first 18-hole course. It is a peaceful place with beautiful views of Belfast Lough and the local Newtownabbey area.
Footgolf mixes the kicking of a football around 18 holes over a specially designed course. The aim is to complete each hole using as few shots as possible.
The winner is the one who used the least shots to complete the course. There’s no need for lessons or clubs, just get a ball and start kicking.
"We have loved seeing the group from Northern Trust Brain Injury Service benefit from playing Newtownabbey Footgolf together each week," said Brian Cahill, Newtownabbey Footgolf.
"Newtownabbey Footgolf is a specially designed footgolf course that and can be played by people of all ages and abilities and is a brilliant place to enjoy exercising outside when rehabilitating from brain injury."
When the Brain Injury Service Users and the staff that support them finish their game at Newtownabbey Footgolf there is a collective sense of achievement and lots of laughter while they enjoy refreshments at the venue.
Playing Newtownabbey Footgolf supports those individuals with a traumatic brain injury to participate in an enjoyable and meaningful form of outside physical and social activity.
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