Stroke Association North West

14/10/2025

What can we say but a huge thank you to all the organisers and teams, for this year's Culcheth Cup, who have raised nearly £4000 for the Stroke Association and counting!

The annual walking football event was held on 5 October, with the tournament being won by Bolton Arena - congratulations!

Once again, thank you to everyone involved and for raising such an amazing amount!

You can still get your sponsorship in too, just visit - https://justgiving.com/team/culcheth-cup-2025

13/10/2025

Thanks so much to Amy and Albie from the Isle of Man who have been fundraising for the Stroke Association this year!

Albie decided to take on the Isle of Man Mini Parish Walk in July and recently completed a 7-mile hike! Amy also walked 40 miles in the End to End Walk challenge in just over 10 hours in September. They have chosen to support the charity after Albie's Granny had a stroke last year!

So far they've raised over £735 and are hoping to raise £1,000 before Christmas. You can find their fundraising page here - https://www.justgiving.com/team/teamalbieandamy

Thank you so much to you both!

09/10/2025

Thanks Lorraine Beavers MP we look forward to connecting you with more people affected by stroke. Delighted to see you met Phil, who has worked hard to raise the issue of Thrombectomy being available 24/7 in Lancashire!

In Blackpool North & Fleetwood we have higher rates of stroke, TIAs, & high blood pressure. As a community, we're focused on improving our lives and those of future generations.

I believe fighting to reduce health inequalities and rates of stroke are crucial to this plan. Health outcomes in our community have been poor for too long and I think it's time we changed that.

That's why I've been talking to the Stroke Association about how we achieve long-term, sustainable change. For too long communities like ours have had sticking plasters placed where we needed meaningful intervention.

I am determined to improve our community and that means improving it's health too. I'll be working closely with local organisations to achieve that and will update you on any new plans as we move forward.

Stroke Association North West

09/10/2025

A massive thank you and good luck to Dan Birrell who is taking on the 62 miles in October challenge for the Stroke Association!

Dan, is taking on the challenge following his stroke in June, that left him unable to use one side of his body.

As Dan says: "It’s not like a normal injury. Part of your brain no longer works and, for me, the bit controlling my left arm and leg had gone. You have to start from the very basics to get that tiny little bit of movement and work from there. Retrain a different part of your brain to do something it’s never done before.

"It started using an exercise bike to get my left leg to move by using my right. Then I was able to kick a ball-badly. Eventually, with help, I could stand. The next step, literally, is walking. This all takes time, and very specifically focussed practice."

Thank you so so much Dan, you're amazing

And you can sponsor Dan here - https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-bee-1759699866880?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

07/10/2025

Sorry to hear about your experience of stroke, Mike Sweeney BBC Manchester. Thank you for sharing your experiences, which can be so hard to do, and for raising awareness about the impact of stroke.

A stroke is a medical emergency. If you think you or someone else has any stroke symptoms, think FAST and call 999 straight away. Ambulance paramedics are trained in stroke and will take you to the best hospital for specialist treatment.
If you need advice about stroke, call the Stroke Support Helpline: 0303 3033 100

05/10/2025

Do you know about the Vehicle Access Open Day? If you have mobility or transport related needs, this could help you. This is an event focused on vehicle accessibility, solutions and support for individuals.

Event Details:
Date: Wednesday 29th October 2025
Time: 10.30am – 2.30pm
Location: Salford Community Way, Stadium Way, Eccles, Manchester M30 7EY
Hosted by: RDAC

This event will provide an opportunity to experience a variety of accessible vehicles, equipment, and support services in one place.
There will be hands-on demonstrations of accessible vehicles and transport equipment, and an opportunity to discuss your needs with clinicians, driving advisors and adaptation specialists.

03/10/2025

The network of stroke support groups across the North West includes those run by Stroke Association volunteers and those that are independently run.
We celebrate when people in local communities, often people affected by stroke, can set up new friendship spaces or support groups in their own areas to offer much needed support and connection with other people affected by stroke.
This group, Stroke Survivors Speech & Language Support Group started in Crewe and are now developing support groups across Eastern Cheshire region, (Sandbach, Nantwich, Alsager) now including a new group in Holmes Chapel (Mondays 11.00- 13.00
See here for contact details and more information

Overview Location Knutsford Road Holmes Chapel Crewe CW4 7DE Who it's for Stroke survivors, their carers and families Activities Arts; Social; Sport and Exercise; Singing; Gardening; Communication Enquire now We empower stroke survivors to recover, reclaim and rebuild their lives after stroke by bec...

02/10/2025

Our team attended a Vision Support event last week, where a low vision roadshow highlighted essential resources, expert organisations, the latest in eye health, aids , equipment and wellbeing support.
Almost two-thirds of people have vision problems after a stroke.

It was a great event to attend, thank you.
Pictured is , Jane Fenwick and Hannah Dawson from our Chester team 📸
Find out about the different ways your vision can be affected and how you can get treatment and support here https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/effects/physical/vision-problems-after-stroke

02/10/2025

A huge huge thank you to you all! You've now raised over £34,000! We are blown away by the miles you've done and the money you've raised, which will go such a long way in helping us to support all those affected by stroke!

Thank you to you all again!

And you can still sponsor the team here - https://www.justgiving.com/page/cwp-energy-4?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

01/10/2025

We mention that we work in partnership, including with clinical stroke teams – one of those is across GM in a partnership of NHS providers and commissioners of stroke and neurorehabilitation care in the Greater Manchester region, including Eastern Cheshire.
The aim is to maintain good practice and work to improve in stroke services, in hospital and in the community. Each year the network produces a report and recently released this plain English version of its 2024-25 annual report, aimed at patients and the general public.
It was developed with the Network’s Patient and Carer Group and shares some of the ways the partnership have worked to improve local stroke and neurorehabilitation services. https://gmnisdn.org.uk/news/plain-english-version-of-our-annual-report-now-available/

30/09/2025

Review of Stroke and Neurological Rehabilitation Services – Cheshire and Merseyside 2025 is now taking place.
Could you share your experience of accessing stroke rehabilitation therapy in the community after your stroke and the impact this had?
The review of Rehabilitation services includes:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy (incl. support needed to get into and or stay in work)
- Speech and Language therapy
- Clinical Psychology / Mental health support
- Online therapy tools (NROL)

Part of this review includes hearing from people affected by stroke, about the impact of accessing rehabilitation therapy in the community.

If you would, the programme team, supported by Cheshire and Mersey Neuro Alliance are running an online discussion session. This session will be over Zoom.

Tuesday 7th October 10.30 – 12.00

Please contact EngagementNW@stroke.org.uk to register if you are able to attend, and if you have any access requirements linked to using Zoom. You will be sent more information and a Zoom meeting link.

30/09/2025

Thanks Lizzi Collinge MP pledging your support to raise stroke as a priority.
We would be delighted to follow up with you locally, to meet with constituents affected by stroke for you to hear their experiences of stroke care 😁