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Reminiscence involves individuals discussing memories and experiences from their remembered past. With the aid of memory‐jogging materials such as photographs, music and newspapers, reminiscence has been widely used with older adults who have significant memory impairments as a consequence of dementia. This paper seeks to describe the use of reminiscence within a brain injury rehabilitation unit, including how to facilitate sessions and explore outcomes when using it with individuals who have brain injuries. Dementia Care Mapping was used to measure mood and engagement of participants in a reminiscence group, and self‐ratings that allow participants to comment about sessions were also obtained. Results indicate improvements in mood and engagement, as well as positive ratings from participants. Recommendations regarding the use of reminiscence are extended to include using it with adults with acquired brain injury within residential, day or community settings.

This paper sets out to provide a brief guide to brain function and the main causes of brain dysfunction likely to be encountered in social care and neurodisability practice. For the first issue of Social Care and Neurodisability, it was felt that such an overview paper serving both as a self‐contained aide memoire, and as a ‘signpost’ for other relevant resources, would be a useful tool to sit alongside any subsequent articles published in the Journal and provide some relevant brain function context. We have drawn on clinical experience, key references and the growing area of internet‐based resources in order to provide what is hopefully an accessible paper in the spirit of the ubiquitous ‘Made Simple’ series.