BRAIN Injury Week in the Borders has been described as an éxito by the group who spent last Friday learning Spanish.

To heighten awareness of often unrecognised acquired-brain-injury as well as the rehabilitation work which is going on in the Scottish Borders, charity Momentum held a series of events last week.

And to conclude the programme many of the Galashiels-based group's service users took part in learning Spanish.

The Lingo Flamingo session was so popular, Momentum have already arranged for regular lessons to start later this summer.

Katy Harkin from Momentum told us: "Learning a language is great for brain development and research shows if you're bilingual you have better mental wellbeing.

"Friday's Lingo Flamingo was hilarious and a great way to learn a new language.

"Tommy McGlynn was a super facilitator and taught the group some basic Spanish.

"It was an interactive class with blindfolds, bubbles, play dough and lots of laughs.

"The group enjoyed it so much we plan to arrange a ten week course."

Earlier in the week, service users Bill Gilroy from Heriot and Gala's John Dickson provided the entertainment at the Heads Together Open Mic event in Hawick.

The Heads Together Choir also performed during the musical afternoon to the audience.

Last Thursday, service users also held a cake stall at Borders General Hospital.

Just over £200 was raised to assist the local brain injury programme.

Katy added: "Thursday's cake sale was a good opportunity to share information on the service with hospital staff and members of public.

"A number of service users helped with home baking and manning the stall.

"They said they were so pleased they could help and give something back to Momentum - it was a great laugh and a great confidence boost.

"We were also selling gorgeous homemade flower ornaments that were made by a local service user."

For further information on services for people with acquired brain injuries, call Momentum on 01896 754 517.