​Liverpool first to benefit from Stroke Association’s new Emotional Support Service

The Stroke Association officially launched its first Emotional Support Service in the UK on Monday 19 September, which will support people affected by stroke in Liverpool.

The launch is part of the charity’s new Stroke Recovery Service, which is funded by NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group. Together, the new services will support more than 650 stroke survivors across Liverpool each year.

The service forms part of the newly-formed Liverpool Stroke Recovery Partnership. This will see the charity working closely with NHS clinical teams, offering comprehensive rehabilitation which aims to maximise physical, psychological and emotional recovery following a stroke.

A team of six Stroke Association coordinators, including a dedicated emotional support coordinator, will work with stroke survivors, their families and carers. They’ll provide essential information, emotional support and practical advice in the aftermath of a stroke.

The charity celebrated the launch at an event at its new Liverpool office at the Community Centre on Formosa Drive, Liverpool, when Paula Guest, Programme Manager from NHS Liverpool CCG joined the team.

Chris Larkin, Regional Director at the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke has a massive and sudden impact. People’s lives are changed forever - not just for the stroke survivor, but for their family and friends as well. Our new Stroke Recovery Service in Liverpool will help people affected by stroke to rebuild their lives.

“Depression, anxiety and fear of another stroke are common feelings amongst stroke survivors, and in the most extreme cases people can be left feeling suicidal. But with the right emotional support, people can make a good recovery. Our new Emotional Support Service is a first for the Stroke Association and we hope to help as many people as possible. We’ll provide stroke survivors, their carers and families living in Liverpool with individual counselling sessions, run by professional counsellors, trained to recognise and understand the emotional effects of stroke.

“The sessions explore issues such as loss and adjustment, relationships, understanding guilt and anger, building confidence and self-esteem. We look forward to working together with Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group to provide a high quality service for stroke survivors and their carers.”

Dr Janet Bliss, GP and Clinical Director for Community Services at NHS Liverpool CCG said, “The emotional impact of stroke on both survivors and their families can be significant. By providing a service that looks at the wider issues affecting stroke survivors we are hopeful that we will see a real difference to their quality of life in the longer term.

“Being able to return to work and maintaining independence and relationships is vitally important for the person to feel like they are heading back to a place of normality. It is also important in helping people to adapt to and accept a new way of life and participate in new activities which is key to recovery”.

There are more than 8,600 stroke survivors living in Liverpool. Stroke survivors and their carers who feel they would benefit from the new services can call the Stroke Association in Liverpool on 0151 305 0023.

For more information about the Stroke Association, please visit www.stroke.org.uk or call the Helpline on 0303 303 3100.