Local stroke-affected people to benefit from “life changing” funding boost

Bristol After Stroke, which each year supports people of all ages in Bristol and South Gloucestershire on their stroke recovery journey, has received a major funding boost which will provide life-changing counselling and emotional support for local people over the next two years.

The Global's “Make Some Noise” appeal raises funds for small charities around the UK, and they have just awarded Bristol After Stroke £69,000.  Bristol After Stroke is one of the 46 small charities to receive a share of over £2.9 million in funding for life-changing projects in local communities across the UK.   

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability, and in Bristol and South Gloucestershire over the last year, Bristol After Stroke has supported over 1400 people.  As well as the physical repercussions, stroke survivors are extremely vulnerable to experiencing depression, anxiety or extreme emotions.  

“In fact,” says Rebecca Sheehy, Bristol After Stroke’s CEO, “depression and anxiety each affect around 1 in 3 people during the first year after a stroke, and sadly it is not uncommon for people to struggle to see a future for themselves.

“Unfortunately, psychological problems after stroke are also associated with increased mortality, poor functional and social outcomes, and lower quality of life.”
Emotional support is in high demand and talking therapies available locally through the NHS have long waiting lists. 

The funding from Global’s “Make Some Noise” will support Bristol After Stroke’s counselling service - offering timely one-on-one stroke focused counselling to help them adjust to their new circumstances. 

Bristol After Stroke counselling case study

Lisa is 59 years old and used to be a fundraiser. “Like most other people, my stroke came out of the blue. I fell down, trapping myself between the sofa and the table, my phone just out of reach. 

“That was the start of a year moving between different hospital wards… not just receiving occupational therapy but also undergoing major brain surgery. I’ve slowly regained some, if not all, of my mobility. But I was left with emotional lability – veering between extreme moods - and a feeling of utter desperation. My world had totally changed. I was cut off from my previous life. 

"Counselling gave me hope. I learned how to apply self-compassion and mindfulness... being kind and understanding of myself and what I was going through. 

“I’m now about to become a peer mentor and help others on their stroke recovery journey by sharing my lived experiences.”

Global’s Make Some Noise

Since its launch in 2014, Global’s Make Some Noise has supported 527 local community projects and made a life-changing difference to over 227,000 people across the UK.   

Projects include those providing shelter and safety, supporting physical and mental health, preventing isolation and improving life skills - tackling issues such as bereavement, food poverty, domestic abuse, homelessness and loneliness.

Additionally, the charity runs a learning and development programme to support the sustainability of the small charities it works with.  Suzanne Ryder-Richardson, Director of Global Goodness at Global, said: "This year, we’ve seen a record number of applications for our project grants, highlighting the increasing need for support for these crucial initiatives that serve as a lifeline to so many.

“We’re incredibly grateful that, thanks to public donations and the generous support of our partners, we can provide this funding to the small, local charities delivering these vital services at the heart of communities across the UK. We remain committed to raising funds and awareness so that we can support even more life-changing projects across the UK in the future.”  

Global’s Make Some Noise also raises awareness of the wide range of issues its funding is tackling with over 29.2 million weekly listeners across Global’s radio brands including Capital, Heart, Classic FM, Smooth, LBC, Radio X, Capital XTRA and Gold Radio.