Richard Djan-Krofa Wins the 2025 Different Strokes Outstanding Contribution Award
- Mez Khan
We are delighted to announce that Richard Djan-Krofa has been awarded the 2025 Different Strokes Outstanding Contribution Award.
This annual honour recognises a volunteer who has gone above and beyond in their service to the charity and wider stroke community. With more than 15 years of committed service, Richard is a truly deserving recipient.
Richard first connected with Different Strokes after surviving a life-altering stroke in 2008. Since then, he has played a vital role in helping the charity grow, representing the voices of younger stroke survivors and those from underrepresented communities.
His dedication, warmth, and humility have left a lasting impact on all those who’ve worked with him.
A Life Changed in a Moment
Richard’s stroke happened on what had started as a perfectly normal morning. He was preparing to take his young son Joel to school and had an important university exam to sit. But within minutes, everything changed.
While standing in the kitchen with his brother, Richard suddenly became unresponsive. Feeling dizzy, he collapsed to the floor. His father quickly recognised the signs of a stroke (facial drooping, slurred speech, weakness) and called for an ambulance. Thankfully, his wife Adjoa insisted the ambulance activate its siren and hurry to King’s College Hospital, knowing time was critical.
Richard was rushed through emergency treatment, including thrombolysis to remove the blood clot. He spent three weeks in hospital, paralysed and unable to speak, followed by three months in intensive speech therapy at the Frank Cooksey Rehabilitation Unit in South London. Though his recovery was long and challenging, with the support of Adjoa and his family, Richard made remarkable progress.
Sadly, just three days after his stroke, Richard’s mother passed away while receiving palliative care at the family home—adding grief and emotional strain to his already difficult recovery.
A Volunteer Journey Begins
It was during this long journey of recovery that Richard first encountered Different Strokes. A work colleague who had also had a stroke introduced him to the charity. Although he didn’t reach out right away, a newsletter a year later reignited his interest. Richard attended a conference in Milton Keynes, where he was struck by how many other young survivors had been less fortunate in their recovery. The experience inspired him to get involved and give back.
“I realised then that although I had faced challenges, I still had the ability to move, speak, and help others,” Richard says. “I knew I had something to offer.”
He applied to become a trustee, joined the board in 2010 and has been volunteering ever since.
A Decade and a Half of Service
Being a trustee, as Richard explains, is a big responsibility. “We support and govern the charity, make sure it follows regulations, and offer our skills where needed,” he says.
In the last 15 years, Richard has seen Different Strokes evolve from a small, grassroots charity to one with far greater reach and visibility. He has represented the organisation at major events like the UK Stroke Forum, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Stroke, and international conferences in Barcelona and Rome. He’s also appeared in the media including a recent appearance on BBC Radio London to discuss stroke awareness in Black communities.
His fundraising efforts have been equally impressive – for his 50th birthday in 2021, he completed a series of personal challenges (including an abseil!) and raised over £3,000 for the charity.
Richard has been instrumental in shaping the Black and Asian Stroke Survivors (BASS) project, which aims to improve awareness and access to services for communities that have historically been underrepresented in stroke support. His leadership and advocacy have helped BASS gain traction and build trust among Black and Asian survivors.
More recently, Richard was selected as one of just six global Lived Experience Ambassadors for the Global Stroke Action Coalition. In this role, he will collaborate on stroke policy and advocacy at an international level, including contributing towards 4th United Nations High-Level Meeting on Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) #StrokeActionNow
Recognition from the Charity
Austin Willett, CEO of Different Strokes, shared his admiration for Richard’s commitment:
“Richard has been a trustee since 2010, and through many ups and downs, he has provided incredible support at board level. But his contributions go far beyond that—he’s represented the charity at events, spoke movingly about his story, and has been a passionate advocate for the BASS Project. Richard and his family have also fundraised for us and supported our team in so many ways.
On a personal level, he’s a joy to work with and a brilliant role model for Different Strokes. We are so proud to present him with this year’s Outstanding Contribution Award.”
Looking Forward, With Gratitude
Richard admits he was surprised to receive the award.
“I found out at the end of a Trustees meeting – I honestly didn’t feel worthy. But I’m grateful. At one point I thought that it may be time to give up my role as Trustee, but then the BASS project began, then speaking opportunities came up, and now this ambassador role with the Global Stroke Action Coalition… it all feels like there’s still purpose in what I’m doing.”
He continues to volunteer because, as he says, “There is still work to be done. I do it because I still feel I have a lot to give and people to help.”
Richard also has some heartfelt advice for other stroke survivors, particularly younger ones who may feel hopeless after such a life-altering event:
“A lot of people feel their life has ended due to their stroke. I try to tell them – don’t focus on what you can’t do, focus on what you can do. I say, ‘I’ve chosen to swim instead of drown.’ You can drown in everything you’ve lost. Or you can swim through it. In the early days, I just took it one day at a time. I wanted to live as normal a life as I could.”
Richard also encourages others to consider volunteering: “Don’t overthink it – just do it.”
A Final Thank You
When asked who he’d like to thank, Richard is clear:
“First, I thank God for being my strength and support. My wife Adjoa has been there through it all, and my kids have been incredibly patient. I’m grateful to my extended family, my friends, and my church community. And of course, to the Different Strokes team, who gave me the opportunity to get involved and supported me on this journey.”
We are proud to honour Richard Djan-Krofa with the 2025 Outstanding Contribution Award. His story, his resilience, and his unwavering commitment to helping others remind us all of what is possible, even after life takes an unexpected turn.
