Stroke Association North West

19/01/2026

It’s been a while since we have mentioned our favourite P word ….but we will be!
It is Stroke Prevention Day next week - Thursday 29 January – and we are again, encouraging everyone to check their blood pressure.
Why?
Simply that High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke. It causes about half of all strokes.
We want to stop stroke before it happens.
Unfortunately, many people will be unaware that they have high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) as it is often symptomless.
Community pharmacy teams are trained to carry out blood pressure checks for those over 40, analyse the results, provide advice on lifestyle changes, and can refer patients with high blood pressure for further investigation.
https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke-prevention-day
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and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board NHS Greater Manchester NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

This Stroke Prevention Day 2026 (29 January), we're encouraging you to monitor your blood pressure. That's because high blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke.

15/01/2026

Childhood stroke changes the lives of children and their families in an instant.

Follow this link to learn more about Childhood Stroke - https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/childhood/about

09/01/2026

We are sharing the message from Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board across the region to help hospital services be able to respond to emergencies. Stroke is a medical emergency. Every minute is vital and calling 999 is still the first thing you should do if someone is having a stroke. Arriving at the right hospital in an emergency ambulance is the most important thing you can do to save lives and prevent disability from stroke. https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/symptoms

🚨 Exceptional demand continues across our local NHS services

Due to continuing high levels of demand for NHS services, measures remain in place to reduce pressures. Thank you for your help. Please continue to:

✅ Use A&E only for serious or life-threatening emergencies.
✅ Collect loved ones, who are ready to leave hospital, as soon as possible and make sure they have what they need at home.
✅ Be aware that, if you do need A&E, you may experience a wait.

Our teams will see the most seriously ill patients first - please treat staff with respect.

If you have to visit A&E, due to a serious accident or emergency that is life threatening, please make sure you are prepared for a potential wait by taking things you may need like a charged phone, a payment method and warm, comfortable clothing. We apologise if you experience a longer wait.

Please use health services wisely. Accessing the right service at the right time may mean you’re seen quicker and helps reduce pressure.

Please remember that vaccinations significantly reduce the risk of severe illnesses and hospitalisation. Find out how to get vaccinated on the ICB website - https://orlo.uk/Gor2K

Please share this message with your colleagues and networks.

Thank you to our incredible NHS teams and partners working tirelessly across hospitals, community services and the region.

Craig Harris
Chief Commissioning Officer
Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB

31/12/2025

Celebrating our volunteers..
Pictured here are some of the local Wirral staff team alongside their fantastic volunteers. Each year, the team comes together with volunteers to say thank you for the vital support they provide to stroke survivors across the area.
Many of these volunteers have lived experience of stroke themselves and understand first hand the difference that support can make for people affected by stroke.
As you can see, the occasion was made even more special by a surprise visit from Santa, who kindly took time out of his very busy schedule to join the celebrations!

While this was a local appreciation moment, we say A huge THANK YOU to all our volunteers for their dedication, compassion, and continued support throughout the year.

30/12/2025

We have seen in the local news recently about a young mum who suffered a stroke and was rushed to intensive care with sepsis on Christmas Day last year at the age of 27. She says the "traumatising" ordeal left her feeling "nervous rather than excited" about Christmas this year.
In Dec 2024, Holly Dougan, originally from Stockport, experienced pain on the left side of her neck, which she believed was causing her headaches. At the time, Holly was advised these were migraines and did "not think too much of it" and continued taking pain relief medication. At 5am on Christmas morning, her daughter Isabella woke up but Holly decided it "was a bit early" to start the day and settled her back down. Holly returned to bed and "felt fine" until waking again at 8.30am to get her daughter up. "I got to her bedroom door and my legs just went from beneath me, and I felt really dizzy," Holly recalled. Holly, an early years teacher now living in Liverpool, called an ambulance. Approximately two minutes later, paramedics arrived at her door.

For another 85,000 people in the UK, this year will have been their first Christmas after a stroke. Our recent film shares stroke survivors' experiences of facing Christmas after a stroke.
http://www.stroke.org.uk/stillchristmas

We thank Holly for publicly sharing her experiences. Thanks also to Liverpool Echo News and Manchester Evening News for featuring Holly and sharing awareness of the importance of seeking treatment for a suspected stroke.

29/12/2025

The Stroke Support Helpline hours are different over the Christmas and the New Year period. The Helpline is open today.
Call: 0303 3033 100 or Email: Helpline@stroke.org.uk

Monday 29 December – Tuesday 30 December: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday 31 December: 9.00am – 4.00pm
Thursday 1 January: closed
Friday 2 January: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday 3 January: 10.00am – 1.00pm
Sunday 4 January: closed

We are still here to support you via our website https://www.stroke.org.uk/ or our online community https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/support/online-community

Join our supportive online community for stroke survivors, families, and caregivers.

08/12/2025

For stroke survivors and other people interested in stroke! We are sharing info about a stroke Podcast. Head-Cast is described as “This is the podcast where we dive into all things stroke-related, care, rehabilitation, life after a stroke, the role of carers, and even the latest innovations shaping the future of recovery. We’ll keep it real, informative, and, hopefully, a little inspiring too!”
It is hosted by Phil Woodford - Lancashire stroke survivor, and campaigner for stroke; particularly highlighting the need for thrombectomy treatment provision.
Phil has had chats with some interesting range of specialists.
https://open.spotify.com/show/3IkGXTaSQniqo1kaiTvxLH?si=725bf12b0d4c4a8b

Podcast · Phil Woodford · This is the podcast where we dive into all things stroke-related, care, rehabilitation, life after a stroke, the role of carers, and even the latest innovations shaping the future of recovery. We’ll keep it real, informative, and, hopefully, a little inspiring too!

05/12/2025

As a charity organisation, we want to make sure that our staff can experience the significant benefits that we know volunteering can bring.
We have an option of one day per year that can be used to volunteer for any charity or community cause that's important to us. While many of us chose to the Stroke Association, some of our teams are using their volunteer days to support other charities.
2 of our North West staff Lucy and Jackie had a very festive volunteering day recently. They went to Emmaus Mossley , a local charity who support people who have experience homelessness. They are based in a mill which has enough space for 26 people to live in as well as a huge charity shop, café and workshop. They provide a home, job and community for people who need it.
Lucy shared, "it was so lovely to meet the staff and volunteers and help set up their Christmas event. It was hard work putting up 5 Christmas trees – we were covered in glitter! "

04/12/2025

We are supporting the Good Health messaging from the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board with information to help us Stay Well This Winter
Eat Smart for Better Health
Cold weather can take a toll on your body, but eating well is one of the best ways to keep your energy up and your immune system strong.
✅ Warm, balanced meals help you stay nourished and cosy.
✅ Plenty of fruit and veg provide essential vitamins to fight winter bugs.
✅ Stay hydrated – even when it’s chilly, your body still needs fluids.
Discover more tips on eating well this winter: https://orlo.uk/N4dxv
or have a look at https://www.stroke.org.uk/resources/healthy-eating-and-stroke

Good health starts with eating well

02/12/2025

We are supporting the Good Health messaging from the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board with information to help us Stay Well This Winter
There are some things you can do to help yourself 💉 ❄️ Winter vaccinations offer vital protection against flu, COVID-19, and some respiratory virus. Some people who have had a stroke can be at higher risk of developing flu complications. Whether it’s at your GP surgery, local pharmacy, the vaccine van, or one of our many pop-up clinics in the community, you can choose the time and place that works best for you.
Get protected, visit:

The flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are safe and effective. They give you the best protection against winter viruses

01/12/2025

The Stroke Support Helpline is here for you and your family and friends, wherever you are in the UK. Please note: Support Line will be closed on Thursday 4 December for a staff training day. We’ll be open as usual on Friday 5 December from 9.00am - 5.00pm.
Call: 0303 3033 100 or email: helpline@stroke.org.uk

We work with SignVideo to help British Sign Language (BSL) users in the UK to communicate over the phone.
If you would like to speak to us in a language other than English, please let us know at the start of the call. This service provides interpreters who can speak over 200 different languages.
https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/support/helpline

26/11/2025

Opportunity for People with Lived Experience:

The Richmond Group of Charities’ is a coalition of 15 national health and care charities, working together to support people living with long-term health conditions.

One of their focus areas is physical activity. As part of this work, they are recruiting for a Lived Experience Network of people who live with one or more physical and/or mental long-term health conditions. The network will share their insights, experiences, and ideas to help enable more people living with long-term health conditions to be physically active in ways that work for them.

No prior experience in advocacy or networks is needed – just a voice and willingness to be involved.

The programme is hosted by Age UK, and more information can be found here on their website -

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