It has always been difficult for people with long term illness or disabilities to find the support and they need to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

The idea that this support exists within the community has long raised eyebrows. With profound cuts in the public sector, and the advent of the Big Society, the role of 'community' comes under sharper scrutiny than ever. We must surely ask where there is a need for organisations such as Headway East London to step in, and where and how the community can provide unaided support.

Every year, over 100,000 Londoners are discharged to the community after receiving treatment for brain injury. Discharge to What (DtW) is a forum initiated by Headway East London, to provoke discussion about what happens to survivors after they are discharged, about the role and meaning of "community" in context of long term disability, and about the ethics of rehabilitation practices in the UK.

Headway East London has been providing long-term support services to survivors of brain injury since 1998.

We know what we think. We want to know what you think.

Over the coming weeks these pages will publish contributions to this debate - click on the links to the right to read more.

If you have any thoughts about the issues raised here, or if you'd like to make a contribution this site, please email discovery@headwayeastlondon.org