Reading gets stroke support

The Stroke Association is launching its first support service for the people of Reading. Stroke survivors and carers will meet on Wednesday 20 January at Greyfriars Church, 10am to 2.30pm, to mark the launch and listen to talks from various local organisations.

The Stroke Survivors and Carers Support Group is co-ordinated by Claire Chapman from The Stroke Association and is run in partnership with Reading Borough Council and Berkshire West PCT.  Claire says:

“All stroke survivors and their carers in the Reading area are invited to our launch day. It’s important that people who may feel isolated know that there are lots of others in a similar boat and there is some excellent support available to them. If they come along to our launch they will find everyone here under the one roof. I have already had over 100 referrals since May.”

As well as stroke survivors, the group aims to provide support to carers – whose needs can often be forgotten in the aftermath of a loved one suffering a stroke.

It has been proven that people who provide over 50 hours of care per week are twice as likely to be in poor health themselves; so the training, advice and assistance that this support group can help provide will prove invaluable.

The group will then continue to meet once a month after the launch.

CASE STUDY: Chris Goodall, 68, from Reading had a stroke in 1999. Chris was a journalist for over 30 years on the Islington Gazette in London before his stroke left him with communication difficulty and semi-paralysis. Chris would be happy to speak to any media and will be attending the Stroke Survivors and Carers Support Group opening ceremony on Wednesday 20 January.

ENDS

***Media are welcome to attend the opening ceremony. Please contact Richard Mountford at The Stroke Association if you would like to attend on 020 7566 1534***

The opening ceremony will take place at the Greyfriars Church, Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1EH on the 20 January at 10.30am – 2.30pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The agenda will include:

• Claire Chapman, The Stroke Association (Family and Carer Support Co-ordinator for Reading)
• Heather Priestley (Community Stroke Rehab Nurse)
• Catherine Sykes (Community Based Neuro Rehab Team)
• Reading Borough Council’s Direct Payments Team and an interactive voting session with Angela Todd, from the Strategy Team for housing and community care.
• Adrianne Kop from Inspired Health Solutions who will set the scene for a Health and Wellness afternoon.
• Mini Tai Chi and seated exercise sessions, Indian head massage and mini beauty and physiotherapy massages for stroke survivors and their carers.

There will also be stalls run by The Princess Royal Carers Trust, Ryder Cheshire Volunteers, Physiocare, The Stroke Association and a few others yet to be confirmed.

Notes to editor

The Stroke Association is the only UK charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages.

The charity funds research into prevention, treatment, better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services which include communications support, family and carer support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets.

The Stroke Association also campaigns, educates and informs to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society acting as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

A stroke is a brain attack which causes brain damage.  A stroke can be diagnosed by using FAST – Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech problems, Time to call 999.  If any of these symptoms are present call an ambulance straight away.

The Stroke Helpline provides information on stroke to the general public and is open between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0845 3033 100.

About stroke:
A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of 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 disabilities such as 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.

Strokes can be prevented through lifestyle factors such as a healthy diet - particularly reducing salt intake, drinking alcohol in moderation, not smoking and taking regular exercise

Stroke statistics:
• Each year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke.
• Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of disability.
• 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.
• At least 300,000 people in England are living with moderate to severe disabilities as a result of a stroke.
• A stroke can happen to any one at any time.  Around a quarter of strokes happen to those aged under 65, with around 1000 happening to those under 30.

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