Peer Support Champion 2024

We are thrilled to announce Beth Boella as the recipient of the Different Strokes Peer Support Champion Award for 2024. Beth, residing in Brighton, has been honored for her outstanding dedication and compassion as a Volunteer Befriender for teens and young people.

Beth’s journey began in 2017 when, at the age of 23, she experienced a life-altering stroke. Despite initially dismissing her symptoms during a music festival, Beth’s reality shifted dramatically when she returned home and sought medical advice. An MRI confirmed she had suffered two strokes due to a blood clot in her brain.

‘My mum burst into tears, but I just felt numb. I was immediately admitted to the stroke ward, where the tests and treatments started. Nobody wanted to believe a fit 23-year-old had had a stroke. It didn’t make sense. Looking around, it didn’t make sense to me either. Seeing me among exclusively 80+ year-olds left me feeling uneasy and guilty. I was embarrassed.’

Like many survivors, Beth found that things became increasingly challenging after discharge from hospital.

‘I felt overwhelmed by anxiety and struggled to find motivation. At 23 and having just graduated I did not expect to be needing help to use a knife and fork, wash myself and get dressed. It’s a scary thing losing so much independence so suddenly. An aspect I particularly struggled with was having to rely on others. For several months, I relied on my parents, rarely leaving the house or seeing anyone.’

Despite the unwavering support of her family and friends, Beth grappled with feelings of loneliness and a loss of independence. It was this isolation that led her to Different Strokes and later to becoming a volunteer herself:

‘In 2020, I became a Different Strokes Volunteer Befriender for teens and young people. I wanted to get involved in the befriender service because it’s something I wish had been around when I was early in recovery.’ she shares, highlighting the gap she observed in tailored support for stroke survivors prior to the services creation.

Becoming a Volunteer

The Teen and Young Adult Befriending service connects young stroke survivors aged 16-25 with volunteers who understand their experiences firsthand.

Beth shared: ‘Interestingly, if this service had been available to me, I don’t know if I would have used it initially. Every time I tried to talk about what had happened, I would just well up and cry.’ However, through her involvement as a befriender, she has been able to open up and be more vulnerable. ‘Volunteering has helped me to come to terms with my own experiences. Since I became a befriender, I have to talk about my experiences again and again. ‘It has enabled me to speak openly and become comfortable with it.’ Many of our peer support volunteers often describe this process as cathartic. Beth feels she has found common ground and shared strength in navigating the challenges of stroke recovery with people who just ‘get it’.

‘I have supported around ten survivors on a one-to-one basis and many more through our Befriender Hour on Instagram and one-off calls. Some people just want one call, they just need that time and understanding to offload. For others, the befriending relationship evolves into a longer-term connection, providing ongoing support and encouragement through the ups and downs of recovery. I like that we are able to tailor it to the individual, rather than having a set number of chats.’

When asked how she broaches peer support, Beth shares: ‘I try to be open and non-judgmental. It’s all about empathy and understanding. Before my first ever call, I had butterflies in my stomach – fear of the unknown I think.’ However, as she connected with fellow survivors and shared her story, Beth found her nerves dissipating and her confidence growing. ‘I don’t think twice about it now!! I have learned that people just want someone to listen and understand, who won’t ask silly questions.’

‘We received training beforehand and have a professional Neuropsychologist that we meet with once a month, so we can share what it is bringing up for us as individuals and get support too if we need it.’

When asked what difference the service is making to those who use it, Beth is characteristically humble: ‘You don’t always know the difference you are making, but just last week I got the loveliest message thanking me and sharing what a difference our conversation had made to someone.’ Beth shares. ‘It’s an incredible privilege to walk the path alongside someone. But they don’t always realise it’s a two-way path – volunteering has helped me to come to terms with my own experience. By connecting with fellow survivors and offering guidance and encouragement, I find reassurance in my own recovery too.’

Becoming an Award Recipient

Beth received a call from our CEO, Austin to let her know she had won The Peer Support Champion Award for 2024 alongside fellow Volunteer Allie. She shares: ‘When I found out, I was very shocked, very pleased and very happy! It meant so much to know that people had nominated me!’

When asked about her future plans with the charity, Beth has high ambitions: ‘In general, I want to ensure that the charity continues to grow so that we can help more people, secure more funding, and raise the profile of younger stroke survivors. I also want to encourage people to engage with us on our weekly ‘Befriender Hour’ on Instagram – it would be nice to see that become busier!’

When asked to offer words of wisdom and encouragement to those navigating their own recovery. Beth shares: ‘To my fellow survivors: don’t attempt to face everything alone. I made that mistake, and I regret it. The stroke completely altered my trajectory. I had just graduated and aspired to work in social policy. During recovery, I found myself in an uncertain limbo, unsure if I’d ever return to work. In an effort to navigate a path forward, I volunteered locally, which eventually led me to discover my passion for teaching.

Now, seven years post-stroke, life is truly fulfilling. Celebrating my 30th birthday last weekend, I also became engaged to my long-term partner, Jesse, in Paris. We recently purchased our own home. I teach year three at a primary school, a profession I adore. The life I currently lead was beyond my wildest dreams during my stroke recovery. I hope that this gives hope to other young people who find themselves in that dark place. I hope it shows them that there is life after stroke!’

Genise Turnbull, Family Officer for Different Strokes has been running the befriender service since its inception, she said:

‘It’s been wonderful to watch Beth gain confidence in her role as Befriender and become comfortable openly sharing her own experience.

Beth is such a deserving winner of the Peer Support Champion Award, the people she supports commend her for being a fantastic listener who is open and honest. I hope Beth is as proud as I am of everything she has accomplished both personally and in her volunteer role.’