Useful information

Useful Information

Helpful information for a stroke survivor on discharge

Please find below some useful links that might be helpful on your journey to recovery following your stroke as we realise leaving hospital can be a daunting prospect. 

 

Different Strokes

Different Strokes is a charity run by younger/working age stroke survivors for younger/working age stroke survivors both at national and local level. Our aim is to help younger/working age stroke survivors and their families reclaim their lives through active peer support, signposting to relevant services and providing information to assist in recovery from stroke.

National Different Strokes information line: 0345 1307172 or 01908 317618

Email address: info@differentstrokes.co.uk

Please click on the following to find out more: http://differentstrokes.co.uk/

Different Strokes Southampton

Different Strokes Southampton is the local branch of Different Strokes.

Telephone: 07860574863 (Ranj Parmar) or 07817874440 (Andy Clay) or 07903090366 (Jo Elliott)

Please click on the following to find out more: https://differentstrokessouthampton.co.uk/

The Brain Injury Card

The Brain Injury Identity card  provides brain injury survivors with added confidence in everyday social scenarios. Each card is personalised, helping the card holder to explain the effects of their brain injury and request any support they may need.

Please click on the following link to find out more information:

https://www.headway.org.uk/news-and-campaigns/news/apply-for-a-brain-injury-identity-card/

Epilepsy Action

Some stroke survivors can experience epilepsy following their stroke and Epilepsy Action offers a wide range of services for people affected by epilepsy. 

Please click on the following link to find out more information:

https://www.epilepsy.org.uk

Council Tax Exemption or Discount

You may be able to apply for a Council Tax discount or exemption following your stroke if you are disabled or have a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning. 

To find out more, apply and prove your eligibility for certain benefits, please click on the following link for more information:

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

Purpl Discount Website

Purpl is a disabled discount website offering exclusive disabled discount codes and offers to help offset the cost of living with disabilities.  

Please click on the link below to find out more information and to see if you would be eligible to join:

https://www.purpldiscounts.com

Say Aphasia

Say Aphasia provide supportive drop in groups around the UK for people with aphasia run by people with aphasia.

Please click on the following link to find out more: https://www.sayaphasia.org/ 

For the local branch of Say Aphasia, please click on the following link:https://www.sayaphasia.org/winchester

Stroke Association

The Stroke Association is a charity formed to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. They offer support services, provide information, conduct research, fundraise and campaign.

Stroke Association Helpline: 0303 3033 100

Email: helpline@stroke.org.uk.

Please click on the following to find out more: https://www.stroke.org.uk/

South Coast DriveAbility

South Coast DriveAbility based in Whiteley, provide clinically informed driving and mobility assessments delivered by specialists teams including occupational therapists and driving assessors. Costs vary depending on self referral or a health professional referral.

Please click on the following link to find out more: https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/information-centres/view/south-coast-driveability/

 

The CEA Card

If you need support to enjoy a trip to the cinema, the CEA card scheme may help by providing a free ticket for your companion at participating cinemas. 

Please click on the following link to find out more, the eligibility criteria and how to apply:

https://www.ceacard.co.uk/ 

 

Access Card

This is a card that can be used to easily communicate your access requirements to events and venues so venues can provide accessibility to the needs of their visitors.

Please click on the link below to find out more information:

https://www.accesscard.online/how-it-works/ 

Southampton Sight

Supporting people living with sight loss. Please click on the following link to find out more: http://southamptonsight.org.uk/ 

Carers Information

As a result of having a stroke, a friend or family member of yours may have become a carer. There is support available for carers both emotionally and financially.

Unpaid Carers Support offer support to adults providing unpaid care to someone with ill health or a disability. To find out more please click on the following link: 

https://unpaidcarerssupport.org.uk/

Alternatively you can call them on 023 8083 2253 or email them on support@unpaidcarers.org.uk

Carers Together

Carers Together is a carer-led charity that offers support for unpaid carers living anywhere in Hampshire including Southampton and Portsmouth.

Telephone: 01794519495

Email: admin@carerstogether.org.ukPlease click on the following to find out more: http://www.carerstogether.org.uk/

Carers Allowance

If somebody cares for you for at least 35 hours a week they could be entitled to a weekly carers allowance.

Please click on the following to find out more: https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance.

Age UK

Age UK is a registered charity which combines the two previous charities Age Concern and Help the Aged aiming to help every older person in the UK.

To find out your nearest Age UK and find out their fill range of services please click on the following link: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team (CNRT)

CNRT is a community neurological rehabilitation service specialising in the treatment of people with neurological conditions such as stroke. This is a free service and for more information on who could be eligible please follow this link to their website:https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-list-of-services/community-neurological-services-and-rehabilitation or use your search engine to search for ‘Solent NHS Trust’ and in the search bar type ‘CNRT’. Then select ‘Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team (CNRT)’.

HELP Hampshire

Hobbs Rehabilitation Winchester. A non-profit service providing an exercise class for individuals recovering from their stroke, collaborating with the local NHS Trust

To find out more please access their website by following this link: https://hobbsrehabilitation.co.uk/exercise-group/help-hampshire/

Hobbs Neurological Rehabilitation Services

Hobbs based in Winchester is an independent provider of specialist neurological rehabilitation services.

To find out more on a full list of their services and any cost to the individual please access their website by following this link: https://www.hobbsrehabilitation.co.uk/hobbs-winchester

Explanation of Neuro fatigue

If you suffer from neurofatigue post stroke, this is a very useful explanation of what’s happening in your brain after a stroke and why you might be feeling more tired than normal: http://www.braininjury-explanation.com/consequences/invisible-consequences/neurofatigue

Advice on Driving and Bus Passes available or the Disabled

For further advice on driving and bus passes following your stroke please click here: https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/disability-health-condition

Prepayment Prescription Certificate Advice

If you are going to be taking regular medication following your stroke, the prepayment prescription certificate may save you money.

Please click the below link to find out about the Prepayment Prescription Certificate: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/prescription-prepayment-certificates

Cheaper Energy for Disabled and Vulnerable Customers Advice

For more information on obtaining cheaper energy bills please click here: https://www.ukpower.co.uk/home_energy/gas-electricity-for-disabled-customers

The Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is a free service provided by gas and electricity suppliers. Each supplier maintains its own register, to be added it you need to contact your them.

If you want to obtain advice on the full range of benefits that you might be entitled to following your stroke and depending on your level of impairment, the Citizens Advice Centre can help.

Southampton Adviceline: 0808 278 7863

Please click on the following to find out more: https://citizensadvicesouthampton.org.uk/

If you live outside of the Southampton area please click on the following link to access the website for Citizens Advice for the UK: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have long term ill-health or a disability. For those eligible the amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself.  

Please click on the following link to find out more: https://www.gov.uk/pip

Universal Credit

Universal credit is a payment to help with your living costs which is paid monthly. You may be eligible if you are on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. It can only be claimed if you are over 18 but under state pension age and you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you.

Please click on the following link to find out more: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You may be eligible to apply for ESA if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you work.

Please click on the following link to find out more: https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

State Pension Age

The State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It may be different to the age you can get a workplace pension.

To find out when you will reach State Pension age and when you will be eligible for free bus travel, please click on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age

Disabled Facility Grants

You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home.

 To find out more please click on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants

Access to Work

Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability. The support that you will get will depend on your needs.

Please click on the following link to find out more:

https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work 

Southampton Advice and Representation Centre (SARC)

SARC is a registered charity specialising in welfare benefits law and employment law. They offer a wide variety of support on these issues to residents of Southampton city free of charge. Depending on certain funding criteria SARC can provide a full service from form filling, to representation at Social Security Tribunals and Employment Tribunals.

Please click on the following to access the link to their website and find out more:

Useful tips for aiding dressing, eating and around the house 

If you have any problems with any of the links in this document please send an email to info@differentstrokessouthampton.co.uk detailing which link you are having issues with.