Action on Stroke Month 2015

May is Action on Stroke Month and this year the Stroke 

Association are asking everyone  to come together to help to:

 Make May Purple to raise awareness of stroke.

Bake it, wear it, plant it- have you got a great idea to Make 

May Purple?

Don’t keep it to yourself- comment below and let us know 

your purple plans and help inspire others to get 

stroke the attention deserves!

To find out more about Make May Purple 

visit: http://strk.org.uk/1IgxPph

The Stroke Association and Royal Mail

The Stroke Association's new two year Charity of the Year partnership with Royal Mail began on Monday 8 September 2014 and they were absolutely delighted that almost 40,000 Royal Mail employees voted for The Stroke Association to be their new Charity of the Year in their 2014 employee survey.

Both Royal Mail and the Stroke Association play an important role at the heart of UK communities and together we can make a huge difference to so many people’s lives.

Supporting life after stroke

Royal Mail aims to raise £2 million which would support 10,000 stroke survivors and their families by funding vital Life After Stroke Grants. For every penny raised by Royal Mail employees, up to £1 million, Royal Mail will match it.

Life After Stroke Grants support stroke survivors and their families to overcome some of the most difficult challenges in their lives. They provide long term benefit to aid recovery. But their real impact is the way in which they provide practical support, sustain stroke survivors emotionally, build confidence, and provide a route back into their community.

There are two types of grants available to stroke survivors:

 Recovery grants

 These fund a range of vital home and equipment modifications such as handrails, specialist kitchen appliances or adapted wheelchairs.

Activity grants

These support stroke survivors to make their way back into their local communities by funding a range of activities linked to their recovery plan.

Working together

Royal Mail employees will be getting stuck into a whole host of activities over the next two years, from fundraising to learning about our FAST campaign and Know Your Blood Pressure. 

In addition to fundraising, Royal Mail staff will have access to a range of volunteering opportunities with the Stroke Association, from helping out at fundraising events to joining our community Life After Stroke groups to provide direct support to people affected by stroke.
 

WORLD STROKE DAY - 29TH OCTOBER 2014

Today is World Stroke Day and the emphasis this year is about women and stroke.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in women in the U.K. and kills three times as many women as breast cancer.  Yet many women are still not aware of the risks.

Do YOU know what your Blood Pressure is, what the FAST test is or do you have regular blood tests?
If not - why not - get checked out soon and go to your G.P. for regular checks.

One in eight women in the UK wrongly believes that a stroke could never happen to them, according to the findings of a poll published today by The Stroke Association.

Around 30,000 women die from a stroke every year and the condition is the second biggest killer worldwide.

Strokes can hit you out of nowhere and rob you of your speech, your ability to walk, your memory, your independence and your dignity.

Regional Head of Operations in Yorkshire and the Humber at the Stroke Association, said: “It’s extremely worrying that most women don’t even have stroke on their radar. We know that women’s stroke risk significantly increases as they get older, and one in five women will have a stroke in their lifetime.

“This should serve as a wake-up call to women of all ages to be aware and better informed of the steps they can take to reduce their stroke risk. Simple lifestyle changes, such as keeping blood pressure under control, exercising regularly and stopping smoking, could significantly lower women’s likelihood of having a stroke"

Remember those vital regular checks and avoid potential months/years of recovery.

Stoptober 2014

You are twice as likely to have a stroke if you smoke.

Public Health England’s Stoptober campaign is back for its third year – encouraging the nation’s 8 million smokers to stop smoking for 28 days. If you can stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to quit for good. You will begin to experience financial, physical and health benefits including a better sense of taste and smell and a reduced risk of stroke, lung cancer and heart disease.

Are you in? Let us know if you’ll be taking part in the Stoptober challenge this October:http://strk.org.uk/1mlYOVR

Can I tell you about having a Stroke? A guide for friends, family and professionals

Stroke is a complex condition and it can be challenging to explain its physical and emotional effects, particularly to a younger audience. 

We've come across this book 'Can I tell you about having a stroke' which is designed to help explain the complex subject of stroke to a younger audience. It tells the story of Grandad Fred, who recently had a stroke. 

Professor Tony Rudd, national clinical director for stroke, says: “Stroke can be a terrifying experience for both the patient and the family. This wonderful little book explains everything clearly and will I am sure both educate and reassure families who have to live through a very difficult experience.” 

The book is available online now: http://strk.org.uk/1BJUjsR

In the book you: 

Meet Fred - a man who has had a stroke. Fred invites readers to learn about what it is like to have a stroke from his perspective, helping them to understand the challenges faced by someone who has had a stroke and the ways in which they might have to adapt their lifestyle. He also gives advice on how to offer support to someone who has had a stroke, from diagnosis through to rehabilitation.

With illustrations throughout, this useful book will be ideal for anyone who knows someone who has had a stroke, from child to adult. It will help readers to understand and explain what a stroke is and encourage open discussion among family members, carers and friends.

Edwyn Collins of Orange Juice and the film of his recovery

In February 2005 Edwyn Collins suffered a stroke which left him struggling to walk and talk. Film-makers James Hall and Edward Lovelace filmed the former Orange Juice frontman's recovery, depicting his state of mind while he struggles to recover his playing ability.

The film had its world premiere at SXSW 2014.

It will be released on iTunes on 20th October and wil  be in UK cinemas from 7th November.

Here is the link:
http://www.theguardian.com/film/video/2014/sep/16/the-possibilities-are-endless-trailer-stroke-edwyn-collins-video

Book of Short Stories to aid The Stroke Association

 Francis Brown's book is now on sale - a collection of work that he intended to be read only by his grandchildren.

Now published to raise money for The Stroke Association


http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8351115.Short_stories_book_to_aid_The_Stroke_Association/