InterAct Stroke Support

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InterAct Stroke Support

Stroke is now the second biggest killer in England and Wales and the main cause of serious disability in the U.K.

InterAct Stroke Support is an award-winning charity aiding stroke recovery by using professional actors to deliver hospital readings & community projects to stroke survivors. A stroke can affect anyone of any age from any background and rehabilitation can be a long and difficult process. It is during hospital recuperation that InterAct makes the difference as early interventions with stroke survivors are a tremendous boost to the recovery process. There is now a growing body of evidence that stimulation through reading and conversational interaction can help the brain find new neural pathways, a phenomenon known as "adaptive rewiring." InterAct encourages adaptive rewiring, work which has been shown to improve patients' mood and motivation, alleviating depression and boredom as well as increasing confidence as patients are able to practise their new-found communcation skills in a non-judgemental environment. InterAct Stroke Support works to improve the rate and quality of an individual's recovery from a stroke by:

improving mood
alleviating post-stroke depression
increasing self-esteem
boosting communication confidence
stimulating the brain
providing entertainment

We currently read in 21 hospitals and over 50 stroke clubs in the UK.

23/09/2025

Next up! Read about Safia Oakley-Green who will be a reader during our webinar on the 6th October. There will be opportunities for those who join us live to ask our readers and hosts questions, some of which will be answered live during the webinar.

Safia won the 2022 BIFA for Best Breakthrough Performance and the 2024 BAFTA Scotland Award for Actress in Film for her role in the independent feature OUT OF DARKNESS, where she played the leading role of BEYAH – produced by Oliver Kassman (SAINT MAUD). The film was released to rave reviews and impressive box-office numbers. Safia recently completed filming on Ronan Day-Lewis’ ANEMONE opposite Daniel Day-Lewis, Julia Jackman’s 100 NIGHTS OF HERO alongside Nicholas Galitzine and Emma Corrin, and Amazon’s feature THE BLUFF, where she’ll play a lead role opposite Priyanka Chopra and Karl Urban. Safia trained at The Television Workshop Nottingham

22/09/2025

Are you joining the webinar on Monday 6th October? Read about the actors giving up their time to perform the stories shortlisted in this year’s challenge:
(Link in bio for more information on the 25 Word Challenge )

Valentine Olukoga is an award-winning actor and youth facilitator from South-East London, known for his powerful performances on stage and screen, and his deep commitment to empowering young people through the arts.

He gained critical acclaim for his lead role as Obembe in The Fishermen (New Perspectives/Trafalgar Studios), winning Best Lead Actor at the British Black Theatre Awards. His stage credits include The Su***de (National Theatre), Liberian Girl (Royal Court), and Burning Bird (Unicorn Theatre). On screen, he’s appeared in Unforgotten (ITV), Enterprice (BBC3), and In the Land of Saints and Sinners alongside Liam Neeson.

16/09/2025

You’re not going to want to miss this.
It’s almost time for the final of the 25 Word Challenge !

25 stories have been shortlisted, and we can announce that the actors reading the stories live will be: Valentine Olukoga, Safia Oakley-Green, Sabrina Sandhu and Harriet Cains. Stars of stage and screen - these actors know how to bring a story to life.

Finally, our host and judge (to decide the final winner) is Radio DJ and best-selling author Zeb Soanes!

If you would like to watch the online event, please email takeover@interactstroke.org letting us know. We will then send you the zoom link a few days before.

Date: Monday 6th October
Time: 1-3pm
Webinar platform: Zoom

27/05/2025

The 25 Word Challenge is back! This time, however, it's a !

13/01/2025

Can you help? Do you know of a space that InterAct could move into in the next 2-4 months?
Please email info@interactstroke.org to share any details you might have about a space that would fit our requirements. Unfortunately, we will have to move on shortly from our lovely shared office in London Bridge. Thanks a bunch!

03/12/2024

Our CEO Nirjay Mahindru was honoured to speak at ‘Christmas in the Courtyard’ last week. ✨🪩🎁

This starspangled event was organised by to raise money for The Mellissa Bell Foundation and . We are very fortunate to be a beneficiary of Style for Stroke and couldn’t be more grateful for all those who donated on the night ☺️

Shout out to one of our fave Strictly dancers too! 🫶

29/10/2024

It's World Stroke Day 2024 and InterAct Stroke Support were featured on Morning Live! If you missed it, head to BBC iPlayer.

If you haven't already, don't forget to book for our 25 Word Challenge Final today at 12 noon. Book here: https://forms.wix.com/f/7239215187583041891 to receive the link.

08/10/2024

Call to Action!
If you would be happy to talk about your experience with our charity, we would love to hear from you! Email info@interactstroke.org as soon as you can and introduce yourself.

26/09/2024

Announcement! 📣📣
We can now share that the actors taking part in our live streamed event on the 29th October will be... Dame Imelda Staunton, Peter Capaldi, Rula Lenska. Michael Simkins and Bill Paterson. ✨
You have until the 13th October to submit your stories for the 25-Word Challenge and
25 shortlisted stories will be featured in the final event!

12/09/2024

Our 25 Word Challenge has launched!!
25 shortlisted stories will be read by leading actors Bill Paterson, Rula Lenska and others during a live streaming event on World Stroke Day, 29th October 2024.

Are you up for the challenge? Submit your story through our website before Sunday 13th October. 🧠🫵

27/08/2024

Founder of InterAct Stroke Support (and Theatre Director) Caroline Smith, will be on Radio 4's 'You and Yours' this Thursday from 12:00pm - 12:45pm.

Make sure to tune in on your lunch break to hear the full story🎧🥪

29/07/2024

Thank you to everyone that has been in contact about our work. Please be aware that we have just launched a JustGiving page so that you can support us as we reach towards our 25th year of work, in 2025. Our target is £25,000 for 25 years and we are off to an excellent start! Please consider giving what you can.

Did you read Michael Billington's article in The Guardian?
Find the link to the article and our JustGiving page in our bio 🔗

Address

8 Holyrood Street
London
SE12EL

Telephone

+442038861028

Website

http://www.interactstrokesupport.org/

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