About Ben Holden Ltd

When I first started working with Ben, I was really struggling, not only with the physical aspect of my injury but also with the inevitable low moods and lack of motivation.

Over the last 2 years, with Bens help, my life greatly improved; any adaptations that I needed around the home, Ben got it all organised for me. Nothing was too much trouble, and I knew that if I ever needed help, then Ben was only at the end of the phone, and this is the reason why I would have no problem in recommending Ben Holden Ltd.

Before I started working with Ben I was struggling with the everyday tasks e.g. getting myself dressed, walking any distance, lifting, getting in and out of bed, bending. Within six months, Ben and his team enabled me to do all these things and return to work gradually, which resulted in me being able to do my pre-injury job.

My experience working with Ben was excellent. I felt very at ease, relaxed and confident with him. If I had any queries or needed extra support, he was always on the end of the telephone. Nothing was ever too much trouble.

I highly recommend Ben Holden, for his professionalism, friendliness and for the individual support I got. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ben and his team for all their work getting me where I am today, leading a normal life again, and being able to put my accident behind me.

After my accident I was struggling with work and feeling very depressed. I could not understand why I was feeling this way and felt that I had nobody to discuss my problems with. I was not sleeping properly and things were becoming intolerable.

When Ben became my Occupational Therapist, he visited me and my family at home; my workplace and explained what I was experiencing. He organised appointments with various Consultants, Physiotherapists and a Psychologist. This enabled me to get an explanation of what was happening medically and obtain the correct treatments.

It was very reassuring to know that Ben was always at the end of the phone. He was there when I needed him most. He always responded quickly and kept everybody involved well-informed of what was happening with Progress Reports.

I could trust Ben and felt reassured by his knowledge and patience. He has a great and appropriate sense of humour. I would highly recommend Ben to others who would surely benefit from his expertise.

Following a car accident in December 2013, I was taken to a hospital for people suffering from a traumatic brain injury. I had also sustained injuries to my spine.

Upon my discharge from hospital I was very confused and was unaware of what services I was entitled to under the NHS and Social Services. I was sent to rehab and hated it. Suffice it to say, the services provided were stretched, very limited and did not provide the care that I so desperately needed to recover. I lacked motivation, was severely depressed, spent my days languishing in bed in pain or on the sofa. Basically, believed that I had lost the person I once was.

Through my solicitor I was assigned a case manager; however, after a couple of months our relationship had broken down. Again, facilitated by my solicitor, I received information about a number of other case managers, who I was told would put together a team and coordinate my care. It was up to me to choose who I wanted to case manage my care. After reading a number of managers profiles, I chose Ben Holden. Upon our first meeting, I instinctively knew that Ben was the one. Prior to my accident I had worked as an Advanced Social Work Practitioner in Health and Social Care. It was a coincidence that I had also previously worked as a care manager and knew “all about the business,” however, I was wrong! Ben’s area of specialism was different to mine in mental health. I was not an easy client, was very challenging and did not accept advice easily. I did not realise or would not accept that my traumatic brain injury had left me with a number of very complex physical, social and psychological “needs.” Of course, I wanted a needs led assessment and a “personalised individual care plan.” Supported by years of working as a neuro-occupational therapist, Ben with his knowledge, skills and experience, knew how to manage my very difficult behaviour and the impact this would have upon me, my family and future, For example, aggressiveness, anxiety, disinhibition, problems with my memory, finding words, confusion, fatigue, pain, and mood swings. Life certainly felt like a roller coaster.

My life began to significantly change. Ben treated me with the upmost dignity and respect. He coordinated a team of professionals experienced in working with neurological disorders, especially with people who had experienced an accidental severe traumatic brain injury or through illness. I felt confident that Ben would and did manage to select professionals who he somehow knew would manage my challenging eccentric behaviour and complex needs. However, I was not ready to engage with or accept the changes to the “new me.”

I had previously worked in a “multi disciplinary team” setting: worked with psychologists; occupational therapists, physio therapists, psychiatrists, but had never been on the receiving end or intensively worked with professionals specialised in neurological disorders. The journey has certainly been long and thanks to Ben and his team have learnt how to manage my needs. I no longer believe that I “can run before learning to walk.”

By no means have I made a complete recovery or might not. However, I now understand and accept that as a consequence of my accident there will always be new challenges. With Ben managing my care and the team of professionals he identified, I feel confident that I will be able to manage these challenges, when and as they arise.

A big thank you to Ben, his team and the Multidisciplinary Team.