Charity board quits after investigation

Charity board quits after investigation

The Headstart charity was established on Tyneside in 1986

The board of a troubled Tyneside charity has quit following an investigation into its services.

Newcastle-based Headstart has now appointed a new board after it received complaints from social services departments in the area.

The charity provides support, advice and training for people who suffer brain injuries and their families.

The 15-year-old charity offers day care services, advice and own-home help.

Headstart's parent body, Headway UK, found failures in picking up patients and having too few staff on duty.

Headway chief executive Peter McCabe said: "Headway UK found some concerns and issues which we drew to the attention of the board. As a result the board resigned.

"We' have been working with the Charity Commission, which has allowed us, under their Charities Act powers, to appoint a new board.

Growing organisation

"Headway UK, the new board, the local authorities and the Charity Commission - are working together to make things better in the future."

Headstart's outgoing chairman, George Chambers, said problems had arisen when the parents and carers who set up the charity as a small support group in 1986 were unable to manage the size of the growing organisation.

Headstart runs a day centre in Newcastle and also has outreach workers providing support for people throughout the north-east of England.

The charity began in 1986 as a support group for parents and families of people with head injuries.

Because of a lack of services in the region, the group set up its day centre in 1996 and introduced home care in 1999.