Meeting Glen Hickman today, you might never guess the journey that has brought him here.
Glen is a trustee at Headway Essex and is preparing to take on an extraordinary challenge: a charity bike ride spanning the length of Britain — over 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats. This remarkable journey is a testament to how far he has come.
Five years ago, Glen was involved in a serious cycling accident just a mile from his home. On 24 April 2021 – a day he has no memory of, nor of the following two weeks – Glen was found unconscious at the roadside after suffering a head injury, leaving him fighting for his life. An Air Ambulance doctor and critical care paramedic took over his breathing and stabilised him at the scene and Glen was placed into a medically induced coma.
Glen sustained multiple brain injuries and, in his own words, was “not in a very good way.” What followed was seven weeks in hospital, six months away from work, and the beginning of a long and ongoing recovery. He was unable to work or drive, struggled with fatigue, and experienced sensory overload that made everyday things like listening to music or watching television overwhelming.
Rebuilding Positives
Despite this, Glen slowly began rebuilding his life. When he returned to work after six months he recognised he was still recovering. He found himself drawn into conversations about his brain injury and began to realise that other people were also facing similar challenges – often trying to minimise their experiences so as not to be seen as a burden or “less than”. Glen feels strongly that a brain injury does not make someone second best, and that no one should feel they have to hide what they are going through.
Motivated by this he set up a brain injury peer support group at work, creating a safe space where people could connect, share experiences and support one other.
Air Ambulance played a vital role at the start of Glen’s journey, and continues to be an important part of it, alongside Headway who provide ongoing support for those who have a brain injury. While Glen can’t remember the accident itself, he can speak to what he experienced afterwards. He remains closely involved with Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, contributing to research and innovation focused on improving patient and family experiences following traumatic brain injury. Being able to make a positive difference is something that drives him.
Joining the Headway Essex Board of Trustees
Glen first connected with Headway through his local branch in Benfleet, offering his time as a volunteer. After learning more about his experiences and the work he was already doing to support others, Headway Essex invited Glen to join its Board of Trustees, recognising the significant value that trustees like him bring to the organisation. Trustees with lived experience offer a vital perspective that helps shape informed, compassionate decision-making, ensuring that the voices of people living with brain injury remain at the heart of Headway Essex’s work.
This valuable input and insight help keep the organisation firmly grounded in what truly matters. It strengthens Headway Essex’s ability to deliver person-centred support and to advocate effectively on behalf of individuals affected by brain injury and their families.
“I contacted Headway and asked them what volunteer opportunities they had. I felt this was a logical next step following the work I’m already going: BI peer support at work; supporting research projects; enrolled to be a mentor to someone with life changing injuries; fundraising; supporting a few others affected by BI on an individual basis.
Seeking more opportunities to use my experience to help others just feels right (and cathartic).
When I met Headway Essex and was asked to be a Trustee, I felt privileged to be asked and to be in a position that can help others. I hope I bring value to that role, and to other service users of Headway Essex.
My brain injury is all dark and negative but being involved and helping brings light to help balance that dark.”
Getting Back on the Bike
On May 10th, Glen will embark on a 1,000 mile (1,600km) cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for Headway and Air Ambulance UK, who represent the UK’s 21 air ambulances. This is an enormous challenge for someone to take on, not only in terms of distance, but in the courage it takes to return to cycling after such a traumatic experience.
Glen says one of the biggest challenges he faced was deciding whether he would ever cycle again. Before the accident, cycling had been a huge part of his life. Afterwards, he found himself watching others ride past, feeling a sense of envy but unable to bring himself to get back on a bike.
“It has robbed me of things, but I don’t want it to rob me of this.”
For Glen this ride is as much a personal challenge as it is a physical one – proving to himself that he can do it as the incident took away many things and to show that that there is life, and quality of life, after brain injury.
“I hope that my involvement with both charities is of value to them and while I can never repay what I owe, I hope this fundraising goes some way to express the gratitude I have.”
If you would like to sponsor Glen please follow this link to his Just Giving page
https://www.justgiving.com/page/glenhickman-lejog-hwessex
