Press release -
The Stroke Association releases new Christmas campaign film with celebrities including Brian Cox, Alison Steadman and Nish Kumar
The Stroke Association has released its first ever Christmas campaign film, ‘Still Christmas’, to raise awareness of the devastation stroke can cause and the vital need for support this festive season.
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 charity’s powerful new film features a poignant script delivered by high-profile supporters Brian Cox, Alison Steadman, Nish Kumar, Amanda Abbington, Nadia Sawalha, Christopher Chung, Jo Brand and Kiell Smith-Bynoe, intercut with Christmas home videos and photos shared by stroke survivors and their families.
The film is set to a new and contemporary cover of ‘White Christmas’, released by Universal and Irving Berlin’s estate, produced by Stream Media Group and directed by Stuart Hackshaw.
For the first time it puts the camera inside the homes of stroke survivors, at a time of year we can take fun and family for granted, illustrating not just the devastating reality of facing Christmas after a stroke, but also the hope that follows, as together they rebuild their lives and find strength through support.
The film will air on Channel 4 on 19 November 2025 and will be available to view online at stroke.org.uk/stillchristmas
To accompany the film, the Stroke Association also surveyed 1,000 stroke survivors about their experiences at Christmas, to understand the impact of stroke at this time of year. The research revealed that almost a third of stroke survivors (30%) feel like they are a burden to their family and friends at Christmas time1.
The study also 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.
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.
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. However, 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, but remind people that we are here for them.
“Stroke support is crucial at any time of year for stroke survivors and their loved ones. 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 is the only charity in the UK providing 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
Topics
- Produced by Stream Media Group
- Creative Director: Ben Padfield
- Director: Stuart Hackshaw
- Director of Photography: Ali Little
- Lead Editor: Phil Lane
- Assistant Editor: Semin Ahn
- GFX artist: Jonathan Crosland-Mills
- Sound Design: Alex Wells
- Music Supervisor: Skip Curtis
- Composer: Lee House
- Talent Producers: Jenny Drewett, Kate Asselman
- Production Executive: Fiona Ridgers
- Production Manager: Louise Evans
- Post production provided by ClearCut
- Post Producer: Demi Tyler
About the Stroke Association
Over 85,000 people survive a stroke every year in the UK, but surviving a stroke is just the start of a long and traumatic battle to finding their way back to life.
The Stroke Association is the leading charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. We provide tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year, fund vital scientific research, and campaign to bring the best care and support for everyone affected by stroke.
Anyone affected by stroke can visit stroke.org.uk or call our dedicated Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100 for information, guidance or a chat when times are tough.
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