In November 2008 a small group of professionals and brain injury survivors got together to put plans in place to set up a Headway Group in the Newcastle and North Tyneside area.

Since April 2009, weekly social evenings have been held where people with an acquired brain injury can meet along with their families and carers to exchange information, make friends, develop social contacts and help to play a key role in taking the Group forward.

On Tuesday 10th November 2009 Headway Newcastle and North Tyneside held their official launch event at Newcastle United's football ground St James' Park. The launch was attended by 65 people made up of brain injury survivors, their families, carers and professionals.

The Launch Event included a series of short talks around a variety of issues associated with brain injuries. Talks were given by Helen Hastie (Head Injury Nurse Specialist at Newcastle General Hospital), Dr Laura Graham (Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine at Walkergate Park and North Tyneside General Hospital), Stephen McAleese (Headway North Cumbria and brain injury survivor), Martin Johnson (Headway Newcastle and North Tyneside and brain injury survivor) and Alastair White (Headway North East Regional Coordinator).

Helen Hastie, who is also part of Headway Newcastle and North Tyneside's Management Committee said "Headway Newcastle and North Tyneside is now a thriving group that can help provide essential support and social opportunities for people with brain injuries. Brain injury can have a huge impact on people's lives and the lives of their families, yet sufferers often slip through the net because they frequently don't display any obvious signs that they are brain injured. It is important to provide a support network that can help people once there is nothing that can be done for them medically."

The Launch event was well received by all and has seen an increase in the attendance at the Group's weekly social evenings.