Press release -
Stroke survivors bring festive cheer to patients in Lancashire
A choir made up of stroke survivors, carers and family members brought plenty of Christmas cheer to stroke patients in Lancashire this week, with two festive carol performances.
The Stroke Association’s choir visited Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital on Wednesday 17 December and Royal Preston Hospital on Thursday 18 December. The singers not only performed renditions of well-known Christmas carols, but also took along Father Christmas and goodies for patients on the wards.
The choir was formed by the charity earlier this year, in partnership with NHS Chorley and South Ribble Clinical Commissioning Group, to help support stroke survivors with aphasia. More than 152,000 people have a stroke every year in the UK, and one third will have aphasia, which affects people’s ability to communicate, whether it is speaking, reading, writing or understanding.
At the hospital performances, the stroke survivors were joined by their carers, friends and family, as well as staff and volunteers from the Stroke Association.
Julie Glaister, Information Advice & Support Coordinator for the Stroke Association said: “A stroke happens in an instant but its effects can last a lifetime. Aphasia has a massive impact on stroke survivors’ lives, and some people can find singing is a good form of expression.
“It was wonderful to see so many of our service users and their friends and family come together to spread a little Christmas cheer. We hope our carol performances have helped to show stroke patients who are beginning their road to recovery that there is life after stroke and that together we can conquer stroke.”
The Stroke Association provides a Life After Stroke Service in Central Lancashire, in partnership with by Chorley and South Ribble and Greater Preston Clinical Commissioning groups. For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.
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A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
