About The Stroke Association

150,000 people have a stroke each year in the UK – on average that’s one every three minutes. Stroke is the leading cause of severe disability and claims the lives of over 67,000 people each year.
 
A stroke is a brain attack. It happens due to a clot or a bleed in the brain, which causes brain cells to die. This can happen to anyone of any age and the effects can be devastating.
 
Our mission is to prevent strokes, and reduce their effect through providing services, campaigning, education and research. Our services in the community include The Stroke Association Communication Support Service, which has over 3,000 volunteers and staff who work to improve communication skills in people who have lost their ability to speak, read or write and The Stroke Association Family and Carer Support Service, which offers emotional support to people affected by stroke. Our Stroke Information Service and publications also provide essential support by enabling people to access vital information when the need it most.

The charity funds and promotes research, which will enhance knowledge both of the frequency, causes and outcome of stroke; and of the effectiveness of interventions aimed at stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

If you wish to talk to someone about stroke, please call our National Stroke Helpline on 0845 30 33 100.

Our history

Over the past hundred years, The Stroke Association has evolved from being a charity concerned first with tuberculosis and then chest and heart diseases, to now focus solely on stroke. Throughout this time its priorities have remained the same - prevention, practical support, education, providing information and campaigning for a better deal for those we help.