Stroke Association – Movement Group funded through Tackling Inequalities Fund

Like many, Covid-19 has had a huge impact on Stroke Survivors. Our survey of almost 2,000 stroke survivors and their carers across the UK found that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of stroke treatment and care.

North Lincolnshire Stroke Recovery Service

North Lincolnshire Stroke Recovery Service provides practical advice, emotional support and high-quality information following a stroke. Whether you are a stroke survivor, carer or family member, we will work with you to identify and address your physical needs through a personalised plan, and support you to rebuild your life after stroke.

Problems accessing rehabilitation and support

• 39% of stroke survivors who had a stroke this year felt they had not received enough rehabilitation therapies, including physiotherapy. 
• 34% of those who had their stroke in 2019 or before said the support they received from health and care services had been worse than before the pandemic. 
• Around half of all stroke survivors had therapy appointments cancelled or postponed
• 56% have not felt safe to go to scheduled appointments – demonstrating the significant disruption to rehabilitation and support that Covid-19 has caused.  

Mental Health concerns

The pandemic and lockdown has also taken its toll on stroke survivors’ mental health, exacerbating a significant and pre-existing unmet need.

• 7 in 10 (69%) stroke survivors have felt more anxious and depressed lately
• 68% saying they feel more worried about their health 
• 69% more worried about what the future holds

What the funding provided

The Tackling Inequalities Fund enabled the delivery of weekly movement sessions to North Lincolnshire connecting people during this difficult period.

With restrictions for groups meeting still in place many are using the technology to connect with peers whilst remaining at home.

The sessions are inclusive for those Stroke Survivors that have communication difficulties and for those that want to undertake exercise at home with peers that understand the challenges experienced after stroke.

The sessions are proving very popular, there have been 10 Stroke Survivors referred into the group with eight of them regular attenders.

For more information

For more information about the North Lincolnshire Stroke Recovery service please contact the national Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100, or email Helpline@stroke.org.uk. It would be helpful if you could give your postcode to the Helpline team and let them know that you’re getting in touch about this local service.

At home activiy sessions for Stroke Survivors - Funded by the Tackling Inequalities Fund