Press release -
Stroke survivors showcased talent in live performance for World Stroke Day
ITV
and C4 star Kim Woodburn teamed up with the Stroke Association and Liverpool
stroke survivors, to host a creative arts showcase and mark World Stroke Day on
Wednesday 29 October.
Creative stroke survivors, their families and carers performed their own poetry and displayed original artwork at the event, held at Liverpool's centre for the contemporary arts, the Bluecoat. All the work was created by service users at the charity’s Life After Stroke services in Merseyside.
Kim, ‘I’m a celebrity’ Queen and co-star of How clean is your house?, officially opened the event. She lent her support to the charity after her husband Peter, a former police officer, had a stroke in May 2013.
Kim said: “My husband, who was always very fit, had a stroke out of the blue which was frightening and shocking. Through this experience we’ve learnt that a stroke can happen to anyone at any time. The creative showcase showed that together we can conquer stroke. It was a hugely inspiring day where stroke survivors shared their own personal experiences with the public.”
Organised in partnership with creative organisation, Writing on the Wall, the event enabled stroke survivors and carers to express themselves and demonstrate the impact of stroke in creative ways, all while encouraging interactive, engaging conversation.
Kate Charles, Information Advice & Support Coordinator for the Stroke Association added: “The creative arts can help stroke survivors build on their confidence and express themselves in new ways. We see the overwhelming courage and determination many stroke survivors show in coping with the loss of many things we take for granted, such as being able to say what we are feeling. This showcase gave our group the chance to demonstrate the powerful ways the arts enable people to express themselves.”
World Stroke Day takes place each year on 29 October. Globally, more than 15 million people have a stroke each year, resulting in six million deaths. Since 2006, World Stroke Day has highlighted the worldwide rates of stroke, raised awareness of the steps that can be taken to prevent stroke and called for better support for stroke survivors and carers. 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
