Headway Suffolk

Ipswich Hub 01473 712225

Bury Hub 01284 702535

Countdown to Neuro Conference

Headway Suffolk is on a five week countdown to its third annual Neuro Conference on Wednesday 4 October at BT Labs, Adastral Park, Martlesham Heath.

The Neurology charity attracted huge interest at its first two Conferences, with brain injury survivor Andrew Renton taking his first public steps in 21 years two years ago, and then 800 guests attending last year to watch world-renowned scientist Stephen Hawking make a rare public appearance.

This year’s event promises to be another highlight in Suffolk’s calendar with four eminent keynote speakers lined up to address guests on a broad range of subjects related to brain injury and neurological conditions.

Helen Fairweather Chief Executive of Headway Suffolk, said: “We are very excited about our third Conference.  Once again, we have some excellent speakers.  Following on from last year, Dr Jane Hawking will talk about her caring role to her first husband, Professor Stephen Hawking.”

Image copyright The Telegraph   

Dr Jane Hawking is an author and educator.  She will be talking on family carer issues having cared for Professor Hawking, who has motor neurone disease, during their 30-year marriage.  Her 2007 autobiography, Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, was made into the multiple award-winning 2014 film The Theory of Everything.

Chris Graham is a former British Amy soldier who is living with a rare, inherited early-onset form of dementia, diagnosed aged 34. Now 42, his book Five Minutes of Amazing, published in September 2016, charts his heart-warming story, which includes cycling 16,000 miles across North America that raised £52,000 for research.

Dr M Rahman Chowdhury has been a stroke consultant at Ipswich Hospital for over four years, working out of Shotley Ward where hyper-acute and acute stroke services are provided.  He will talk about the development of treatments in stroke care, which was well received last year.

Dr Tim Lockington is a consultant on movement disorders in east Suffolk and he will present on his speciality interest, Parkinson’s disease, which he learned while senior registrar at Royal London Hospital.

Conference delegates will also hear from Cllr Rebecca Hopfensperger, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Adult Care, kind event sponsor Irwin Mitchell and generous host BT.

Tickets are again priced at £30.  Booking can made via this Eventbrite link with a £2.45 booking fee: or by email at: [email protected].