Here for you: helpline for stroke survivors

AbilityNet has a long-standing partnership with The Stroke Association, which has just launched a new telephone support line for stroke survivors designed to help combat social isolation. 

The service dubbed ‘Here for you’ is designed to enhance the wellbeing of stroke survivors, by putting them in touch with someone who has the first-hand experience of stroke. As the stroke association says:

“If you’re feeling lonely or isolated and you’d like someone to talk to in the coming weeks, we can pair you with one of our supportive volunteers who’d be happy to chat.

Read how technology is helping to tackle social isolation during the pandemic

Telephone support from the Stroke Association

If you or someone you love has had a stroke, and you would just like to talk to someone who understands, you can call the Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100 to ask about Here for You, and they’ll put you in touch with one of their ‘lived experience’ volunteers. 

They’ll offer a listening ear and can share their thoughts and experiences. 

The Stroke Association follows The British Red Cross, which has also launched a helpline offering psychosocial and practical support. 

Helplines have been a lifeline for the elderly and disabled at this time, including Age UK’s service Silverline, which offers information, friendship and advice to older people, 24 hours a day, every day of the year (0800 4 70 80 90).

AbilityNet’s Helpline is open as usual and can offer support for adapting and using technology. We can also arrange remote support from one of our network of 300+ friendly volunteers. 

AbilityNet LIVE! support people with technology

During the pandemic, AbilityNet launched AbilityNet LIVE! a series of FREE webinars designed to help older and disabled people use technology.

For example, the British Red Cross and the Stroke Association joined us for a webinar on how to use technology to find local support. 

IN a separate webinar, we joined with the Stroke Association to offer Technology Help for Stroke Survivors and their Carers.

The webinar (above) showcased technology that can help and also shared our experience of working with the Stroke Association to provide local support.

How AbilityNet can help

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people.

• Call our free Helpline. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will discuss any kind of computer problem and do their best to come up with a solution. We’re open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm on 0800 048 7642.
• Arrange a home visit. We have a network of AbilityNet ITCanHelp volunteers who can help if you have technical issues with your computer systems.
• We have a range of factsheets which talk in detail about technology that might help you, which can be downloaded for free. You may find our factsheets talking about voice recognition and keyboard alternatives useful.
• My Computer My Way. A free interactive guide to all the accessibility features built into current desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.

AbilityNet stroke resources

• Access a round-up of our Expert Resources on stroke
• Read our FAQs on using a computer after a stroke
• Download our factsheet on stroke and computing 

• Read our Factsheet on Communication Aids
• Read our Factsheet on dementia and computing
• Read our Factsheet on learning difficulties and computing

Support from the Stroke Association

• Call the Stroke Association Helpline: 0303 3033 100
• Connect to other stroke survivors and carers via My Stroke Guide
• Search the stroke association for local support by postcode
• Think Ahead Stroke: 01942 824888
• Read about anxiety and depression after a stroke
• Find out more about the physical effects of stroke