A third of stroke survivors feel like a burden to their families at Christmas time, according to new research from the Stroke Association

Almost a third of stroke survivors (30%) feel like they are a burden to their family and friends at Christmas time, according to new research¹ released today by the Stroke Association. Almost a third of stroke survivors (30%) feel like they are a burden to their family and friends at Christmas time, according to new research¹ released today by the Stroke Association.

The study found that almost half of stroke survivors (46%) said they now feel negatively about Christmas time due to the impacts of their stroke. Of those survivors who had experienced Christmas following their stroke², two thirds (66%) feel frustrated about not being able to do things at Christmas that they could before they had their stroke.

This Christmas Day in the UK, another 240 people will wake up to the life-changing impact of a stroke. A stroke can leave survivors unable to move, see, speak, or even swallow, and can also lead to personality changes and depression. The Stroke Association surveyed 1,000 stroke survivors about their experiences at Christmas, to raise awareness of the devastation stroke can cause and the vital need for support.

The survey found that, of those people who had experienced a Christmas following their stroke, almost a third (28%) couldn’t cook Christmas dinner, and more than a quarter (26%) couldn’t visit friends and family or leave the house. Almost a quarter of stroke survivors (23%) couldn’t decorate the Christmas tree, while around a fifth (19%) couldn’t play with their children or grandchildren.

Of those who now felt negatively about Christmas, over a quarter (27%) said this was because they were too tired to socialise, while a quarter (25%) said they felt under pressure to act or feel like themselves before their stroke. One in five people (18%) felt under financial pressure at Christmas due to their stroke, and the same number of people (18%) felt unable to join in the celebrations with their family and friends.

To highlight the findings, the Stroke Association has released a short film, ‘Still Christmas’, featuring home videos and photos shared by stroke survivors and their families, taken at Christmas time after their stroke. The film depicts the reality of facing Christmas after the impact of a stroke and how different this time of year can be for survivors and their families.

High profile supporters including Brian Cox, Alison Steadman, Amanda Abbington, Jo Brand, Nadia Sawalha, Christopher Chung, Nish Kumar and Kiell Smith-Bynoe, narrate the film, originally aired on Channel 4 on 19 November 2025 and now available online at stroke.org.uk/stillchristmas.

Before her stroke, Ruth Jones, 41, from Conwy, was known for her vibrant personality. A primary school teacher and mum to two girls, then aged five and ten, she was always the life and soul of the party, confident, full of energy, and endlessly organised. “I was always the loud one, the fun one, the person who loved to make people laugh,” Ruth says. “Life was busy, but it was a good busy.”

But in September 2021, everything changed. After a stressful day at school, Ruth had a stroke caused by a blood clot on the brain. She was given thrombolysis, a life-saving treatment that worked quickly, but the emotional and physical toll was immense. “One day I was surrounded by doctors, and the next I was at home with no support and a body I didn’t recognise anymore,” she says. “I felt completely abandoned.”

Just a few months later, Christmas arrived, far sooner than Ruth was ready for. “That first Christmas was ridiculously overwhelming,” she remembers. “I’m usually so organised, I’ve done all my shopping in the summer but that year I hadn’t done any of it. Christmas came around so quickly, and I didn’t feel Christmassy at all.

“Little things would exhaust me straight away, I just felt awful. One of the biggest things was that my personality changed. Going from this person that loved the lights, the glitter, the action, to now being this sullen person. I didn’t feel like me, I felt like an imposter in my family.”

Since separating from her husband, Ruth had always hosted Christmas herself. “I’m super independent,” she says. “Christmas has always been at my house, so I kept thinking, how the hell am I going to do it? I tried to ignore the pain, tried to push through, but I had to pace myself and accept help I didn’t usually have or want.”

The financial strain added to the stress. “That first Christmas plunged me into debt,” Ruth admits. “I couldn’t go out bargain-hunting like I used to, so I had to buy everything online. I started overcompensating with gifts, I thought the more I spent, the better Christmas my girls would have. After a brush with death, I just thought, you only live once. Usually, I’m so organised and budget for everything, but that year I just spent and spent.”

But even with presents stacked under the tree, the sparkle was missing. “As a teacher, I was always in school doing recitals, Christmas plays, elves; that’s what made me feel Christmassy. That year, it was just four walls and a cat. I even put on a Christmas jumper one day to try and feel festive, but it didn’t work. I was good at acting Christmassy, but I didn’t feel it inside.

The hardest moment came when her youngest daughter asked her to take her out on her new rollerskates. “Her little eyes were pleading with me, and I just couldn’t. I felt so guilty,” Ruth says. “That broke me.”

Four years on, Ruth’s outlook has transformed: “Since the first Christmas, I’ve gone from strength to strength. It hasn’t been easy, I’ve had to fight for everything physically and mentally. I can enjoy Christmas again. Mentally I’m a lot happier, I’m in a much better place. My life didn’t end, it just began.

“This year, I’m actually feeling Christmassy already. I love a celebration, and this time it feels totally different, a lot easier. I can’t wait to get the matching PJs on again. I’ve got a photo from that first Christmas in our matching PJs, but my face was still drooped and I really didn’t like it. This year, I can’t wait to take a new one.”

The survey also highlighted ways in which loved ones may be able to support stroke survivors at Christmas, to help them enjoy the festive period. Almost half of people (40%) said that offering to help with the preparation, such as wrapping gifts and decorating the tree, would be a big support, while over a third (39%) said they’d appreciate friends and family offering to host or go to the stroke survivor’s home to best accommodate their needs. In amongst the noise and busyness of the Christmas holidays, more than a third (37%) said offering the opportunity of a quiet time would be helpful.

Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, said: “So many of us associate Christmas time with joy, being together with family and friends, and enjoying much loved traditions. But for another 85,000 people in the UK, this year will be their first Christmas after a stroke, and those things we all take for granted are no longer the same. A stroke can have physical and cognitive impacts, as well as emotional trauma, with survivors facing a long journey to relearn lost skills and adapt to new circumstances. But, with strength, determination and the right support, recovery is possible. That’s why we’ve created our powerful new film, to highlight the devastation stroke can cause, and to remind people that we are here for support.

“Stroke support is crucial at any time of year for stroke survivors and their loved ones, but we know we are not reaching everyone who needs help. We’re encouraging everyone to give the gift of stroke support this Christmas, whether as a donation, volunteering your time or fundraising, so that we can help more survivors and their loved ones find their strength and their way back to life after a stroke.”

The Stroke Association provides lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. This Christmas, join us in raising awareness of the devastating impact of stroke and help the Stroke Association to support more stroke survivors at every step of their recovery.

Give the gift of stroke support this Christmas – visit stroke.org.uk/stillchristmas