A NEW exhibition opened at The Courtyard this week, sponsored by exposure, the Hereford Photography Festival.

Local artist Hilary Smallwood ran several workshops at Headway - the Credenhill-based organisation which supports people affected by brain injury - over a couple of months, and the exhibition is the result of her collaboration with them.

"Those involved had very clear ideas about the messages that they wanted to convey via photography," she explained.

"Head injury is a singular affliction.

"It strikes from nowhere, changing lives in the space of a moment. It hits at the brain, the control centre of one's very being, and leaves its impact on every aspect of life - physical, cognitive, psychological, emotional.

"Much of its impact is hidden and incomprehensible to outsiders, who take for granted the ability to organise thoughts, process information, judge spaces, order actions, retrieve memories.

"For many, each of these simple activities requires

planning and effort."

The images document the concerns, frustrations,

triumphs and joys of living with brain injury.

The exhibition runs until March 25.