Poetry helps stroke survivors

The Review of Contemporary Poetry, an anthology that aims to raise funds for The Stroke Association is launched at the Ledbury Poetry Festival today.

The Review of Contemporary Poetry follows in a great tradition of anthologies that capture the essence of contemporary poetry. From the launch of The New Poetry, which saw the discovery of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, through The Penguin Book of Contemporary Poetry edited by Blake Morrison and Andrew Motion in 1982, which brought Seamus Heaney, Penelope Shuttle and Michael Longley to the fore, a timeline to the current day is traced, where The Review of Contemporary Poetry highlights exactly what is being written in the here and now. Where the book is quite different is that it does not solely concentrate on the famous names of the day, but also includes poetry from many world poets that may well be the stars of tomorrow and includes a selection of poems from poets who have been affected by stroke.

The collection of poems by those affected by stroke was developed in The Stroke Association's Stroke News magazine. In partnership with Bluechrome Publishing, a competition was developed so those affected by the condition could describe their experiences through poetry. Poet Laureate Andrew Motion then judged the final 20 shortlisted entrants. Andrew was so impressed by the standard of the poems that ten poems were added to the Review of Contemporary Poetry.

In judging the poems Andrew Motion said that Stroke News readers had given "intensely moving" poems and that choosing three poems was difficult, describing the judging process as "a deep - if complicated pleasure." He continued "The enterprising and involving collection puts poetry where it belongs: at the centre of our lives."

In launching the latest collection Stroke Association Chief Executive Jon Barrick says, "Each year 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke. The Stroke Association is constantly striving to give everyone affected by stroke a voice. The poems by stroke people within this remarkable anthology will provide readers with a powerful insight into life after stroke. I am delighted that The Stroke Association has been involved in this unique project."

Notes to editor

1. For media enquiries, please contact the Media team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1500 or e-mail press@stroke.org.uk

2. Each year over 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

3. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

4. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

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