A NEW centre has opened in Staining to help adults with brain injuries prepare for a return to independent life.

Stroke and road accident survivors are among those who will be using the centre's four self-contained flats, supported by an expert team of rehabilitation support workers.

The flats, opened on Friday, have been designed to allow locals with an acquired brain injury to move back to The Fylde from other similar centres across the country.

They will be supported by consultant psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech and language therapists, giving them a personalised rehab programme and ongoing assessment.

"An acquired brain injury can be the result of a road accident, stroke or violent assault. It usually leaves the individual with impaired memory, reduced cognitive abilities and also often increased aggression," said a spokeswoman for the unit.

"Rehabilitation focuses on regaining key social skills that will again enable independent living.

Unfortunately, many people with acquired brain injury reside far away from their homes and families, in unfamiliar cities or villages, while they await the development of local initiatives."

David Birchall is one of the first people moving into the flats later this month.

His sister, Ann Baxendale, said: "I have been wishing for such a long time that David could be nearer to his family, in his own home and his own space, and still have the same quality of care.

"I am thrilled that everybody has worked together to make it possible."

The service is the result of a partnership between Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Primary Care Trusts, Lancashire and Blackpool Social Service Departments, New Fylde Housing Association, the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) and other agencies.

The scheme will be managed by BIRT, with its track record in the specialist provision of neurobehavioral rehabilitation services nationally.

Sue Thompson, the BIRT project manager responsible for the new service, added: "By working together and providing the right environment that will complement the right kind of rehabilitation we are able to deliver.

"We can help people with a traumatic brain injury to rebuild their lives."