A charity helping stroke survivors get their lives back on track is set to expand its services across three London hospitals and introduce a new interactive programme for elderly stroke survivors after receiving a £69,500 grant.

The City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, has given £69,500 to InterAct Stroke Support, based in Westminster, to provide more support services to stroke survivors across London.

The funding will go towards providing one-to-one live readings with professional actors to stroke survivors on a regular basis in Charing Cross (Hammersmith & Fulham), Clayponds (Hounslow) and Kings Hospital (Lambeth) in a bid to relieve boredom and isolation, attempt to stimulate memory and language recall and boost psychological wellbeing.

It will also fund an annual 10-day interactive workshop programme for elderly stroke survivors who’ve just left hospital.

The grant is expected to benefit 1,920 Londoners.

InterAct Stroke Support believe that to cope with the sudden disability and long hours in rehabilitation wards after suffering a stroke, interactive readings by professional actors able to bring a story to life and stimulate communication in other ways than verbal, can make a huge difference.

Alison Gowman, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s City Bridge Trust committee, said:

“Feedback from users, clinicians and evidence from research indicate that the readings alleviate depression, enhance wellbeing and boost rehabilitation outcomes.

“The programme will enable more people to get the support they need to get their lives back on track both in and out of hospital after surviving a stroke.

“City Bridge Trust is committed to tackling disadvantage across the capital and making London a fairer and better place to live.”

Nirjay Mahindru, CEO of InterAct Stroke Support, added:

“Stroke Support takes professional actors into hospitals and reads to stroke survivors. We do this to alleviate depression, stimulate language and memory.

“It also means that InterAct can follow stroke survivors along the integrated care pathway upon hospital discharge.

“We can also deliver three community workshops with stroke survivors in the community, and enhancement of our community presence has always been something we’ve wanted to do.”

City Bridge Trust is London’s biggest independent grant giver, making grants of £20 million a year to tackle disadvantage across the capital. The Trust has awarded around 7,500 grants totalling over £360 million since it first began in 1995. It helps achieve the Corporation’s aim of changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of Londoners.

ENDS

Media Enquiries

Kristina Drake

Media Officer, City of London Corporation

Kristina.Drake@cityoflondon.gov.uk

07710860884 / 020 7332 1125