The Stroke Association has launched their Here for You telephone support services, supported by Kaye Adams, host of ITV’s Loose Women, in order to help tackle loneliness.
Helping to combat loneliness and isolation, the brand-new service will provide stroke survivors and their carers with regular telephone support.
VITAL
Launched on 29 July, the charity plans to offer this vital support to more stroke survivors and also attract more volunteers to help rebuild lives after stroke.
The coronavirus pandemic has meant that all 215 Stroke Association Groups have been unable to meet, denying stroke survivors the vital peer to peer support for over four months now.
The charity is still unsure when these groups will be able to start up their face-to-face meetings again.
Now, the Here for You helpline has been introduced to help people with lived experience or those looking for someone to speak to as a survivor.
CRUEL
Kaye Adams, whose mum had two strokes in 2018 says: “Stroke is a cruel condition that turns lives upside down in an instant. When my mum had a stroke our whole family’s lives changed forever. The thought of that happening during lockdown is just unbearable.
“I can only imagine how scary it must feel for survivors and their loved ones,” continues Kaye. “Having someone to talk things through, especially as people struggle to come to terms with what’s happened to them, is vital.
“The Stroke Association’s new ‘Here for You’ service across the UK offers real hope to people as they cope with the impact of stroke on their lives. That’s why I’m proud to support this amazing charity and their work.”
ISOLATION
One in five people with long-term conditions including stroke have not left the house since mid-March and over half (58 per cent) of clinically extremely vulnerable people are continuing to shield even as lockdown eases.
Many stroke survivors live with comorbidities or are over-70 and have been advised to shield. It is hoped the helpline will be another form of support for survivors and loved ones.
To sign up to Here for You if you’re feeling lonely, isolated and in need of a chat, or to volunteer visit Stroke Association website; or call the Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100.