Information, Advice and Support Service

Our core service provides high quality information, emotional support and practical advice in the aftermath of a stroke. We begin working with a survivor and their family immediately following a stroke, and will continue to provide the support people need, for as long as they need it – in hospitals and care homes, within their own homes and back into the community. We work holistically to address all the complex needs of a stroke survivor and their carer, from medication compliance to healthy living and social reintegration.

Post-stroke reviews
Where commissioned, this service is also able to offer a
robustly-evaluated
six-month and/or
annual post-stroke review, as recommended in the 2007 English
National Stroke Strategy, to formally identify and address any unmet needs, either related to health or social care. This is the result of a pilot project by the National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC) for Greater Manchester. Read the full project report here.

Allan’s story
“When I had my stroke, I just wanted out. My girlfriend left me and I had to leave work – I was a lorry driver. I couldn’t cope – I was really low. But when I met Tracie [the Information, Advice and Support Co-ordinator], things started to get better. I had so many people saying what I can’t do and Tracie was the only person who told me to keep going.

“She got me to do some voluntary work for her and to go to the gym to build up my strength so I could get my lorry driving licence back. That was the most monumental struggle of my life and I still get very tired. But now I’m back at work – I enjoy being part of a team instead of being isolated as I was before.

“Tracie also made me look at my diet. My breakfast used to be a cholesterol injection – now, I’m even eating rabbit food! She has made me realise that my health is important.

“With Tracie’s help, I’m helping to start a support group in my area for other younger stroke survivors. Professional support is really important, but there’s no substitute for talking to people who’ve been there, done it and bought the T-shirt!”

Allan, 61, Dorset