Mon-Thur: 9am – 4:00pm | Friday: 9am – 3:30pm | 
01865 326263
Activity & Rehabilitation Centre
Located in Kennington, Oxford, our Activity & Rehabilitation Centre (our ARC) is a welcoming day service where people can access rehabilitation, practical support and a wide range of therapeutic and social activities. The Centre includes a specialist gym, accessible kitchen and dedicated sensory room, all designed to support recovery, independence and wellbeing.
It is a safe, supportive community where people can feel understood, connect with others, build confidence and form friendships, with support from our experienced staff and volunteers. The Centre also offers support, connection and valuable respite for carers.
We’d love to meet you!
What’s on at the ARC?
Our ARC welcomes adults of all ages who have experienced an acquired brain injury.
Activities
Our monthly calendar of activities includes everything from weekly arts and crafts sessions, board games, quizzes, puzzles to cooking classes to seated yoga and dance classes to gardening. You can join in with as many or as few of these sessions as you wish.
Cafe and Kitchen
Our large kitchen is always ready for a cup of tea or coffee, whether you would prefer to make your own, or have one bought to you. We also run regular cooking therapy sessions and have made everything from cupcakes to paella.
Sensory Room
The Centre has a dedicated sensory room, offering a quiet and calming space. The room supports sensory regulation and emotional wellbeing, providing a low-stimulus environment for rest, relaxation or time away from busier activities. It can be used flexibly throughout the day, depending on individual needs.
Outings
As part of our monthly activities, our rehabilitation team organise outings, such as visiting a farm, theatre or museum, or there are opportunities to take part in assisted sports such as CyclAbility.
Specialist Gym
Our Centre has a fully-equipped, accessible gym with power-assisted equipment and neuro-personal trainers. You can take part in one-to-one or group sessions.
Rehabilitation Therapies
You can access a range of specialist rehabilitation therapies at our Centre. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and other specialist support are available, with waiting times of less than a week.
Acquired Brain Injury Navigation
Our Acquired Brain Injury Navigators can provide one-to-one support at our Centre if a group setting feels overwhelming or is not right for you. They can offer practical and emotional support, help you identify what matters most and work with you at your own pace.
Carer Support
We provide carers with practical advice, guidance and emotional support, as well as opportunities to meet others who understand. We also organise regular events and activities for carers at our Centre.
Garden
Our Centre has a beautiful garden where people can take part in outdoor activities, play games, enjoy accessible gardening or simply spend time outdoors.
Peer Support
Our Centre provides opportunities to meet and connect with other people who understand what it can be like to live with a brain injury. Sharing experiences, encouragement and practical advice can help people feel less isolated, build confidence and develop a sense of belonging.
Recovery
Our activities and events are guided by feedback from the people who use our services and designed by our experienced ARC rehabilitation team. They are intended to support recovery while also being enjoyable, helping people build confidence, develop skills and discover new interests.
Board games can help improve focus, concentration and memory. Art and music sessions can encourage self expression and emotional wellbeing, while yoga and gentle movement can support physical recovery.
People who have experienced an acquired brain injury may have to relearn how to walk, read, write or retrain in other skills previously taken for granted. Our activities can help improve recovery in a welcoming and enjoyable environment.
We provide a safe, non judgemental space where people can be themselves, try new things and make new connections.
Andy’s story
Andy has been visiting Oxford Head Injury Services, every week for 14 years. He was born with a brain injury, but experienced another head injury at the age of eight which resulted in him needing further treatment and later surgery at the age of twelve.
Andy says our support has transformed his life.
Andy’s Story
My life would be a lot less without Oxford Head Injury Services and I’ve so much to be thankful for. They really are the very best in supporting brain injury warriors like me.
We're here for you
If you or someone you know would like to join our Activity & Rehabilitation Centre or could benefit from the support available there, please get in touch.
You can make a self-referral, refer someone you care for or submit a referral as a healthcare professional.
