On this page:
Our services
England
Northern Ireland
Wales
Cymru
Scotland
Our services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are funded by the NHS or social services (so free to you) and therefore may differ depending on where you live. Please note that in Scotland, our approach is different. There, we work in partnership with other organisations to develop services that meet the needs of local communities.
We believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke. That's why we are committed to supporting people through our stroke support services, and helping them to rebuild their lives. Read more about our promise to you, including the standards of excellence for our services.
To find out if any of our services are available in your area, you can use our search tool or call the Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100.
Our services may include:
Stroke Recovery Service
Our Stroke Recovery Service provides tailored support from hospital to home via a designated coordinator, who will address the long-term practical, emotional and physical needs of stroke survivors, their families and carers.
Communication Support Service
Our Communication Support service helps those who have aphasia, a language disorder which can affect speech, comprehension, reading and writing skills. Our coordinators and volunteers work with stroke survivors to relearn new skills of communication and rebuild lost confidence.
Emotional Support Service
Our Emotional Support service provides specialist help to those affected by stroke as they come to terms with what has happened to them. The service also offers peer support sessions run by a trained volunteer and supported by our coordinators.
Post-Stroke Review
Our Post-Stroke Review service is carried out by a trained coordinator with extensive knowledge of stroke. It provides a stroke survivor with dedicated time to review their holistic needs and signpost to relevant services and advice.
To find out if any of our services are available in your area, you can use our search tool or call the Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100.
England
In England, more than 100,000 people a year have a stroke. The care of stroke survivors, from diagnosis and initial management to rehabilitation and long-term management, is governed by the Department of Health's ten-year National Stroke Strategy for England, which sets out a framework for delivering effective stroke services. NHS England has agreed to work with us to seek to develop a new national plan for stroke to build on the successes of the National Stroke Strategy. Read about our A New Era for Stroke campaign.
Social care is funded by local authorities, with care offered according to eligibility criteria. To enable more stroke survivors to make better recoveries, we want to help health and social care work more closely together for the benefit of all stroke survivors, no matter what the survivor's age or how long ago they had a stroke. ​
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, around 4,000 people every year have a stroke, while around 36,000 people are living with the long term effects of stroke. We provide services in partnership with Health and Social Care Trusts throughout Northern Ireland.
Our Emotional Support Service provides specialist help to those affected by stroke as they come to terms with what has happend to them. The service also offers peer support sessions ran by a trained volunteer and supported by our coordinators.
Our Communication Plus Programmes has been specially designed for stroke survivors who have developed a communication disability as a result of a stroke. These programmes are professionally led by qualified Speech and Language Therapists and take place within a group environment. The programme helps stroke survivors learn new ways to communicate and gain confidence. The programme is available to recent stroke survivors as well as those further along in their recovery.
We also have a network of groups in Northern Ireland providing long term support, activities and peer support to help stroke survivors make the best recovery possible.
We also provide practical information and signposting to other organisations who can help with matters such as access to benefits, emotional support and help for carers.
We operate a self-referral system into all of our services. If you'd like to refer yourself email sharlene.graham@stroke.org.uk
Wales
In Wales, around 7,000 people every year have a stroke, while nearly 65,000 people are living with the long term effects of stroke.
Our Stroke Recovery Service is a flexible and tailored service designed to support stroke survivors, their families and carers with recovery after a stroke.
Find support services and social groups for people affected by stroke in your area using our postcode search facility.
Cymru
Yng Nghymru mae tua 7,000 o bobl bob blwyddyn yn cael strôc, tra bod bron i 65,000 o bobl yn byw gydag effeithiau tymor hir strôc.
Mae ein Gwasanaeth Gwella ar ôl Strôc yn wasanaeth hyblyg ac wedi ei deilwra, wedi ei gynllunio i roi cymorth i’r rhai sydd wedi goroesi strôc, eu teuluoedd a’u gofalwyr gyda’r broses o wella ar ôl strôc.
Gallwch ddod o hyd i wasanaethau cefnogi a grwpiau cymdeithasol ar gyfer pobl sydd wedi eu heffeithio gan strôc yn eich ardal chi gan ddefnyddio ein gwasanaeth chwilio drwy god post.
Scotland
The support we provide in Scotland is different to other parts of the UK. We do not provide direct services, but we do offer a wide range of free support to anyone in Scotland affected by stroke.
How we can help you:
- UK-wide information services.
- Here For You service - which connects people affected by stroke and volunteers to help combat isolation and offer peer support.
- Popular Scotland-wide online stroke cafes - which also includes a Carers and Young Persons' Cafe.
- Visit My Stroke Guide for free access to reliable information and over 200 helpful videos to support your recovery. Our online community and friendly forums are great places to connect with others. You can share your stroke experience and find out how others manage their recovery.
- You can share your experiences and recovery tips with others on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages as a way to both give and get support from other people affected by stroke.
- Join one of our friendly support groups across various locations.
- Download our leaflet to read all the ways we can support you in Scotland.