Stroke Association South East

22/06/2026

A Royal Navy sailor has set himself a fundraising challenge with a difference. Joshi E Smith is serving aboard HMS Medway, an offshore patrol vessel currently stationed off the Falkland Islands, 8,000 miles from its home port of Portsmouth.
So, to celebrate his stroke survivor mum’s 69th birthday and raise funds for the Stroke Association, he’s devised his own special personal challenge, a 69-kilometre endurance challenge which he can complete in the ship’s gym!
Joshi, the ship’s the stores accountant/ supply chain rating, is from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean and now lives in Plymouth.
“My fundraising initiative is deeply personal and inspired by my mom's experience following a stroke she suffered a decade ago,” said Joshi. “Despite the passage of time, she continues to live with the long-term effects of her condition.
“To celebrate and honour her 69th birthday, a 69-kilometre endurance challenge will be undertaken on 26 June. The challenge will comprise a 40-kilometre cycle, a 20-kilometre rowing session, and a nine-kilometre walk, symbolising each year of her life while raising funds for a worthy cause.
“This initiative serves as a recognition of my mother's journey and a commitment to helping ensure that future stroke survivors and their loved ones receive the support they deserve.
“I aim not only to honour her resilience and determination but also to raise awareness of the lasting impact that stroke can have on individuals and those closest to them.”
While we’re basking in a heatwave here in the UK, it’s winter in the Falkland Islands, so let’s hope for calm seas and wish Joshi good luck for his challenge. He's already raised more than £500. 💜
Read more about Joshi and his challenge on his JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/page/joshi-smith-stroke-association

22/06/2026

Our East Berks stroke coordinators Pritpal, Ruth and Bally are pictured at Burnham Community Library for CareFest 2026, organised by Carers Bucks in celebration of Carers Week 2026.
This year’s events reflected the national theme “Building carer friendly communities” and were supported by a variety of partners including the Stroke Association.
Are you a carer? The Stroke Association offers lots of support and guidance to friends, family and carers. Visit the ‘Caring for someone close to you’ section on our website.
And do remember, it’s especially important to care for yourself while looking after someone else. 💜https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/support/carers

19/06/2026

Each year in June the world’s aphasia community springs into action to raise awareness of a devastating communication disorder called aphasia.
This year the Oxford Aphasia Group decided to go big for Aphasia Awareness Month and create ‘Living with Aphasia’ - words and images that portrayed their personal journeys recovering from stroke and the impact particularly of their aphasia. It was tough. The activity triggered some strong emotions as they recalled what it was like in the early days of recovery.
It’s currently on display at Barton Community Neighbourhood Centre, in Headington, Oxford, until the end of this month.
If you get the chance to visit, take some time to study their work. Each image has a short narration to help you understand the thinking behind the creation.
We hope it helps you gain some insight about the wide-ranging impact of aphasia and that you walk away understanding that rebuilding a life after stroke and living with aphasia is achievable.
The Oxford Aphasia Group has been running for over 17 years, supporting people who have communication difficulties following a stroke. It provides a supportive and kind environment where people can practice and develop conversation skills.
They make time for informal chats, swapping of ideas and having some fun. It’s a place where people and those close to them can connect with others who understand the challenges of living with stroke and aphasia.
Occasionally they run art activities. Art is great for people living with aphasia. It’s a visual language and helps to create an atmosphere of mindfulness and wellbeing.
Pictured here with the ‘Living with Aphasia’ display are group volunteers Gill and Kim.

19/06/2026

Some lovely smiley pictures from the Brighton WhatsApp group meeting at the Laughing Dog Brighton With cakes courtesy of Trudi 🧁🧁🧁

19/06/2026

Bexhill Stroke Group leader Hayley Davie had hoped to do a parachute jump to raise funds for the group, but when her doctor gave a gentle but firm ‘no’ to that, she decided to sacrifice receiving birthday presents for her 60th birthday and invite donations instead. 💜
She’s off to a good start, with friends and relations already donating £90 but she’s hoping to raise much more to meet the group’s running costs.
You can read more about her fundraising – and find out who Barney, the puppy with the bandana is! – on her Just Giving page

Help Hayley Davie raise money to support Stroke Association

19/06/2026

Did you feel isolated after your stroke? More than a hundred stroke survivors have already shared their feelings on this. Take a look and see if they resonate with how you felt. And if you'd like to, please add your own thoughts to the comments on this post.

For stroke survivors and their loved ones trying to make sense of a new and terrifying post-stroke world, can make them feel isolated and alone.

They may not be able to do things that kept them in social circles, such as going to work, playing a sport, or taking part in a hobby.

Getting to places and transportation can be particularly difficult after a stroke, too, especially if they now need disability aids such as a wheelchair to get around. This makes it more difficult to see friends and family.

This Loneliness Awareness Week, we want to ask you, if you have had a stroke did you feel isolated and lonely, if so, how did you find ways to connect with people again?

17/06/2026

The Stroke Association South East Engagement Team continues to play a vital role in tackling health inequalities by working closely with local communities and raising awareness about stroke.
The team was invited to attend the Mubarak Mosque Football Tournament, in Tilford, Surrey, on Saturday. Engagement Lead Arnold Matimba and Engagement Officer Natalie Creswick shared valuable information about stroke prevention and awareness.
It was encouraging to see the level of interest from the public, with many people eager to learn more about key topics such as “What is a stroke?” and “How can I prevent having a stroke?”
The event was well attended, and one of the highlights of the day was an exciting football match between Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.
A huge thank you to Mubarak Mosque for opening their doors and providing such a fantastic platform to engage with the community and promote stroke awareness.

15/06/2026

12/06/2026

Marilyn, from Aylesbury, has raised an incredible £820 by taking on our '31 Minutes in May' challenge during Stroke Awareness Month.
Marilyn said: "In 2018, everything changed for me. What started as a sudden, severe headache turned out to be a stroke. After several tests and a hospital stay, I realised life would never be the same again. I was registered blind, no longer able to drive, and slowly losing confidence in all the everyday routines we usually take for granted.
"Thanks to the Stroke Association, their guidance, their expertise, and simply having someone at the end of the phone, I was able to rebuild my confidence, slowly but surely. Their support made a world of difference.
"That’s why I’m taking on this challenge: to raise money so they can continue helping others whose lives are turned upside down, just like mine was." 💜
Marilyn did her 31 minutes of exercise a day mostly on her own, though her grandson sometimes went with her. She’s been walking around her village and nearby Aylesbury.
Her grandchildren and all her family are very proud of her. She said "Mentally I’ve felt good for doing it."
We can’t thank her enough for her incredible support.
Here’s her page:

Help Marilyn Topping raise money to support Stroke Association