Community service standards
The Stroke Association has always recognised the importance of quality, however the interest and demands now being placed upon the Voluntary and Community Sector as a whole to demonstrate quality is intensifying and therefore requiring a more direct approach. The Stroke Association, as part of its overall approach to quality through the introduction of the Charter Mark standard, recognises the need to develop quality service standards to demonstrate our commitment.
During the development of our standards we consulted many people, including those affected by stroke, to ensure that the standards we are setting meet the demands both of users and those who commission our services.
Further information can be obtained on any aspect of quality within The Stroke Association by contacting the Business Development & Quality Assurance Team. Phone 0115 969 1169 Ext 55518 or email Chris Rennison.
Our Vision Statement
We want a world where there are fewer strokes and all those touched by stroke get the help they need.
Our Mission statement
Our Mission is to prevent strokes, and reduce their effect through providing services, campaigning, education and research.
1. There will be good information and help to improve quality of life for people with stroke and their carers.
To achieve this Stroke Association Community Services will:
- be widely accessible to all who have need for them and will be delivered in a timely manner
- ensure service recipients receive a range of information on the nature of stroke and primary and secondary prevention of stroke
- sign-post people to other relevant services and practical help available
- investigate and collate information relating to quality of life of people with stroke and those who care for them.
2. Practical help will be available to improve health, getting to grips with stroke and offer long-term support after stroke.
To achieve this Stroke Association Community Services will:
- develop and implement ways to improve and sustain the emotional well-being of people with stroke and those who care for them
- support those who care for people with stroke in understanding stroke and it consequences and finding solutions to the problems it creates
- will link people to, or co-ordinate use of, a wide support network and will assist people in their navigation through the stroke care support services
- provide practical help and arrange activities that will result in them reporting an improved Quality of Life
- seek to maintain, and in some cases, improve the skills of people with stroke
help achieve health improvement and/or health maintenance for those recovering from stroke by enabling people to help themselves
- work with people with stroke and those who care for them to identify ways in which they can increase social inclusion through engagement with other people.
3. People with stroke will have an effective voice in relation to important issues that affect them.
To achieve this Stroke Association Community Services will:
- assist the Stroke Association to develop approaches to advocacy and to act as advocate on behalf of the population who have had a stroke
- provide competent advocates to assist individuals or families affected by stroke in relation to specified issues
- encourage the development of self-help and ‘expert patient’ forums.
4. Community services for post-stroke support will be delivered by a competent organisation comitted to continuous improvement.
To achieve this Stroke Association Community Services will:
- have staff and volunteers who are trained to defined levels of competency and skill
- deliver good value for money - in relation to economy, efficiency and effectiveness
- operate with a clear vision and purpose that will be supported by a robust quality and performance monitoring framework.
