Our Impact
Different Strokes are the only peer to peer stroke charity in the UK. We have been supporting younger stroke survivors for 21 years. The four key areas of our work are:
- A growing network of support and exercise groups in the UK
- Online peer to peer support
- Family support
- Practical information & Resources
There are 100,000 strokes in the UK each year with 1 in 4 happening to somebody of working age or younger. Different Strokes is established and overseen by younger stroke survivors and this unique insight allows us to deliver information and services that are both relevant and from the heart.
Each year we collect data and feedback from benefactors across all of our services. This allows us to see the far-reaching impact of Different Strokes and our services.
The impact of our work on younger stroke survivors.
12,000 people accessing our information packs a year
4,400 people with access to peer to peer support 24 hours a day
1,000 younger stroke survivors attending a group local to them.
The key findings are outlined in our Social Impact Report
This research used Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology which shows that for every £1 invested in Different Strokes we provide £4 worth of services in return.
If you would like to invest in the future of younger stroke survivors or explore working in partnership with Different Strokes get in touch today.
Case Study- Jo’s Story
“I had a brain stem stroke in July 2014 at the age of 45. I initially lost the complete use of my right side. It was a very frightening time for me as I lost vision, speech and could not feed myself or talk to my family.
Fortunately for me with a lot of determination, within 3 weeks I was able to begin to walk again. My right arm was weak for a much longer period but by the December of that year I had taught myself to write again.On my initial discharge from hospital an occupational therapist that visited me at home recommended Different Strokes as a helpful group to join.
This was the first time I had heard of Different Strokes. I was feeling isolated, under confident and lonely as I was on long term sick leave from work so rang them. In the information pack was a flyer about the local group in Southampton where I live.
I joined in January 2015 and it was lovely to chat to people who really understand what it is like to have had a stroke who were also of working age and I soon realised we were all facing similar challenges.
Six months after my stroke I returned to work on a phased return which did not go very well as I could not work more than 5 hours without feeling really fatigued. The guidance I received during this time from Different Strokes was invaluable. They were able to advise me on all the legal aspects that my employer needed to consider and also suggested neuropsychology, which I believe was key to me being successful in securing a new permanent reduced hour contact.
This was particularly important to me as I didn’t want the stroke to take my job away from me, albeit that my role has now had to change slightly.
I had the opportunity in the summer of 2015 to join the committee at my local Different Strokes group. This means I am more actively involved in fund raising, mentoring and raising awareness of stroke in the local area. I find it very rewarding being able to help new members who join the group.
As I have first- hand experience of the challenges they are facing I can help to advise them on how to cope. I feel that being able to focus on the needs of the charity and help spread stroke awareness and help others in the group is a crucial positive outcome for me on a personal level having suffered a stroke at a younger age.”