News archive

13 November 2023 14:07

I think we all have a duty to help each other and would encourage people to take their first step into volunteering.

I started volunteering for the Stroke Association about eight years ago.
The Stroke Association approached Red Cross looking for a trainer to deliver stroke awareness to the local community.
I lost count of the number of awareness courses I delivered and it was on one of these courses that I met a chap who had had a stroke and he struggled to get any support. We started to discuss on how we

1 September 2023 14:06

My volunteering experience

My name is Tom. I had my stroke seven years ago.
I couldn't talk properly, I couldn't remember the day before, remember previous days. It was like waking up to nothing.
I was working as a chef at the time and returning to work was tough. The kitchen was too busy...and noisy...and because of my aphasia, responding to orders being given quickly was very challenging. I had to give up my job be

1 August 2023 12:00

Alex's encourages others to share their story to help raise awareness

Former Grocer, Alex, from Edinburgh, had a massive stroke aged 52. At first, he was unable to sit up or walk, but after months in hospital with intense physiotherapy, he could walk, albeit with difficulty.
Thankfully, Alex received good support from hospital staff – particularly his physio, but Alex’s wife, Lorraine, was his rock, helping him to adjust to life after stroke. He describes a role

7 June 2023 10:39

Sisters Success with Edinburgh Half Marathon

Sisters Samantha Williamson, and Clare Hogarth from Peebles, ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon on 28 May, to increase awareness of stroke and raise funds for the Stroke Association. Their father, Tommy, had a massive stroke last October rendering him unable to walk and talk. After three weeks Tommy could walk, but still struggles with communicating – a condition, also known as aphasia. Tommy was fit

20 October 2022 10:14

Stuart's story highlights fear of stroke - but there can be hope

The fear that goes through your head, when you’re told by your GP to pack your bag for hospital because you may be having a stroke is unimaginable. I’d called my GP with an excruciating headache having had some weakness down one side of my body in the days leading up to it. Other than the headache I was ok; I could walk, use my arm and I was lucid. Yet as far as the doctors were concerned I’

19 October 2022 11:32

The emotional impact of stroke is the hardest to deal with - Ruth's story

Ruth Hector from Stirling, had two strokes at the age of 30. Whilst she recovered well from the first stroke, the second stroke left her with speech and mobility problems. The hardest aspect of her stroke was dealing with the psychological effects of her stroke which left her anxious and depressed. She didn’t receive the support she needed at the time, so is now campaigning with the Stroke Asso

2 March 2021 16:08

Neil's experience of his stroke club meeting via Zoom

Life changed after having a stroke in many ways and not all bad. One of the most noticeable things was my circle of friends changed for ever. I was grateful to meet the other members of the Clackmannanshire Stroke Support Group every month to chat and socialise.

21 January 2019 16:37

Murdoch Rodgers' amazing experience running the Glasgow Scottish Run as part of 'Team Justine'

On Sunday 30 September 2018 I took part in the Great Scottish Half Marathon in Glasgow. For the first time, I was running as part of a team - I was a member of ‘Team Justine’ to raise money for the Stroke Association.

30 August 2018 10:14

Renée Wallen: my son had a stroke

"As much as anyone thinks they know about stroke, until you've actually spent the night awake by your child's bedside, watching every breath and wondering if they'll wake up, speak, walk, be the child they once were - or a new person bringing unimaginable life changes to the family, it's impossible to really understand."

12 February 2018 15:39

Taking it bit by bit - Graham Smith

In the second part of his blog series, Graham talks us through a great way of reaching your goals.

2 February 2018 14:44

'I felt like I’d lost my life after my stroke' - why I’m supporting the Stroke Association in their fight to save local support services in East Sussex

My name is Katie Simpson. I'm 30 years old, and a mother of two beautiful girls. I had a stroke in 2013 at the age of 25 years old. I had my stroke whilst I was 16 weeks pregnant, which led to clots in the baby's placenta, causing the pregnancy to end.

16 January 2018 12:59

​What is your Why? - Graham Smith

In the first of a regular series, Graham Smith provides an update on his epic running challenge and shares his reasons for running for the Stroke Association.