In January 2023, the Stroke Association joined forces with mental health charity Mind Cymru to begin to scope out and test the first model of mental health support for people affected by stroke in Wales.
The collaboration began with a community-based project in Neath Port Talbot in 2020. This saw the local Stroke Association Support Coordinator working with the local Mind to deliver an eight-week programme aimed specifically at stroke survivors, based on Mind’s established My Generation scheme. Run by Mind staff, sessions covered psychoeducation (learning about and understanding mental health and wellbeing), peer support, and community activities to improve mental health and wellbeing, build resilience and reduce isolation. The success of this project demonstrated the potential for a strategic collaboration between Mind Cymru and the Stroke Association.
The overall aim of the collaboration was to create, test and implement solutions to support the mental health needs of stroke survivors and their families in Wales in order to:
• Feel better able to cope with their life after stroke.
• Feel better supported with their mental wellbeing.
• Feel better able to cope with their negative emotions.
• Feel more able to access the support they need.
• Feel less isolated and more connected.
• Feel more confident to move forward with life.
The Report on the project was launched at an event on the Senedd on Tuesday 23rd January 2024.
More information and copies of the reports are available to read and download: