Press release -
Wombourne librarian thanks the Stroke Association and The Goodlife Project
A Wombourne librarian has praised the Stroke Association for potentially saving her from a life-changing stroke thanks to support from their Long Term Conditions Project.
Emma Hawkins, a 45-year-old of mother of two, was working at Wombourne Library while the Stroke Association held a Know Your Blood Pressure and Goodlife Project awareness event in April 2016. High blood pressure remains the single biggest risk factor for stroke, contributing to over half (54%) of strokes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Emma took advantage of a free blood pressure test and found her blood pressure was dangerously high. She was advised by the Stroke Association to get an immediate appointment with her GP or go straight to A&E. Emma has since been prescribed medication to control her blood pressure and has regular checks with her GP. The Stroke Association returned to Wombourne Library on Wednesday 25 May and retook Emma’s blood pressure. With the help of medication and lifestyle advice, her reading was at a much healthier level.
Emma said: “Thank goodness the Stroke Association was here that day, otherwise I wouldn’t have thought to get my blood pressure checked. It’s something I’d never think about. I dread to think what would have happened to me without it.”
The event was held as part of the Stroke Association’s year-long Long Term Condition Project, in partnership with South Staffordshire County Council. The project provided people with advice about stroke and also directed people towards The Goodlife Project, an online support tool. The tool lists lifestyle advice and details of leisure and social activities in the local area.
Tina Hughes, Stroke Navigator at the Stroke Association, led on the project. She said: “The Long Term Conditions Project ran for a year until 30 June 2016, with the aim of enabling communities to work together, providing support for people affected by stroke and also directing those with long term conditions to The Good Life Project. Emma is a great example of the project’s successes and shows the impact it has made on people in South Staffordshire.”
For more information about stroke visit www.stroke.org.uk or call the Helpline on 0303 303 3100. For more information about The Good Life Project, visit southstaffordshire.thegoodlife.uk.net
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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 one of the largest causes of 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
