Selfless wife in running for national charity award for dedication to caring for brain injury survivor husband
A selfless wife from Cambridge has been nominated for a national award for not only the full-time care she provided for her husband, but for also volunteering her spare time to help other brain injury survivors.
Jo Bacon, 62, is in the running for Carer of the Year in UK brain injury charity Headway UK’s Annual Awards, held later this year.
Each year Headway UK hosts a glittering awards ceremony celebrating the dedication, growth and outstanding achievements of brain injury survivors, carers, volunteers, and others in the Headway community across the country.
Jo was put forward for the award by local Headway charity, Headway Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, where Jo’s husband Michael, 76, attends after sustaining an intracranial haemorrhage in 2018.
Car-enthusiast Michael - who previously worked as a scientist, loves wildlife, and whose dream car is a black Lamborghini - requires help with everyday tasks including getting dressed, being hoisted from his bed, washed, and feeding.
Jo cared for husband-of-38-years Michael on her own for over five and a half years, taking early retirement to do so.
She is also now volunteering her personal time to support other clients at the charity, including volunteering on a Friday afternoon during the charity’s social session, where she’ll socialise with clients, play board games, help with a quiz or a cognitive task.
Anna Mumford, Senior Support Worker at Headway Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, put Jo forward for the award after witnessing her care for Michael with “phenomenal love and support”.
Anna said: “Jo is just absolutely amazing. She’ll always come in with so much energy, despite the difficulties that she’s faced that morning.
“When she volunteers on a Friday afternoon, it allows her to not only have a bit of time with Michael but also see him interact with others.
“The other month was such an amazing moment - Michael looked across the room at Jo and mouthed ‘I love you’, and it was just incredible.
“She had tears in her eyes and said she always knew it was a wonderful place but now she’s seeing Michael’s coming each time and engaging with activities or others.”
Anna said Michael is a special man whose spirit shines through, despite him not speaking many words.
She said: “He can be very fatigued, but our staff just bring him alive. We’ve each got something that we can talk to Michael about that he'll light up and smile.
“He likes cars and loves talking about birds and wildlife.”
Anna added: “Jo always offers immense kindness. She’s just been giving and giving and giving, and is an amazing lady.”
On learning she was one of three finalists for the Carer of the Year category, Jo said: “Goodness, I’m not really sure what I’ve done to deserve this.
“I feel so flattered and privileged to have been nominated for this.
“I can’t express the huge difference that this incredible team at Headway Cambridgeshire and Peterborough make to Michael each and every week, improving his quality of life immeasurably.”
- Winners for the Headway Annual Awards will be announced on Friday, December 12 at The Royal Lancaster in London.