New telephone service in Scotland offers hope to people affected by stroke
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The Stroke Association is delighted to be launching a new telephone service to benefit people affected by stroke in Scotland.
Their Here For You telephone service connects stroke survivors and families to trained volunteers to offer support following a stroke and to help combat feelings of isolation at this difficult time.
Deeside resident Pam Vickers has been in a caring role for some years since her husband had a stroke.
As a lived experience volunteer for the Here For You service, she is providing telephone support to other carers like herself.
She said: “Despite the support we received from family, friends and doctors, you still have times when you feel very alone.
"The Here For You telephone support service would have been a great help just to know I wasn’t on my own and that there is help out there.
“Now, I want to volunteer for this service because I know people affected by stroke including carers need support - I needed support.
“The person I have been talking to is dealing with very similar issues that I have dealt with in the past.
"This includes the extra strain that comes with having to do things on your own without having the help you might need, challenges that are presented with a physical disability – the need to run the house and make decisions on your own.
"Coping with the emotional and personality changes that happen to the person who has had the stroke and of course your own emotions.”
Head of Stroke Support in Scotland Karen Garrott said: “People affected by stroke often say that the biggest impact of their stroke are the psychological effects – in particular feelings of depression or anxiety.
"These ‘unseen’ problems can have a massive impact on a person’s stroke recovery.
“We developed this service during lockdown, but feedback from our volunteers providing it, and from those receiving it have encouraged us to continue with it.”
The Lived experience telephone support offers peer support to other people who have had a stroke.
"It’s a chance to connect with someone who can empathise and provide a listening ear to talk through what they are dealing with.
Continuing, Pam said: “It’s been great to talk to this carer about other things too – such as family, pets, lockdown, etc.
"When the person I spoke to told me I’d made their day I was so chuffed.
"I think there will be so many people, both recipients and supporters, who could benefit from this service.
"People and their families affected by stroke are dealing with a huge change in their lives.
"Talking things through and being listened to is of tremendous value.”
To sign up to the Here For You service, you can complete the online form or call: 0303 3033 100.
