Stroke helplines
Stroke
F.A.S.T.
The most effective stroke treatments must be given within the first 3 hours after stroke symptoms start. By recognising signs of stroke and acting fast, you can help lessen a stroke's damage to the person's brain.
What to look out for:
* A severe headache - often the first complaint
* Speech difficulties
* Eye movement problems
* Numbness
If you suspect a stroke, do the following:
FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can the patient repeat the sentence correctly?
TIME: If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to the hospital fast.
NHS
The Stroke Association
Helpline: 0303 3033 100Textphone: 18001 0303 3033 100
The Stroke Association is the only UK wide charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. Every five minutes, stroke destroys lives. We're here to help rebuild them.
The Brain and Spine Foundation
Helpline: 0808 808 1000www.brainandspine.org.uk
The Brain and Spine Helpline is staffed by neuroscience nurses and other health professionals. It covers all neurological conditions, from the fairly common to the very rare, and can offer information and support on any medical or related social and emotional issues of concern. The service answers queries by telephone, letter or email as well as providing an opportunity for people to share their experiences of having a neurological condition on the discussion forum.
Headway
Helpline: 0808 800 2244
UK wide Charity offering a wide range of services, including rehabilitation programmes, carer support, social re-integration, community outreach and respite care for sufferers of all forms of brain injury.
Different Strokes
Information Line: 0345 1307172
We have personal experience of life after stroke. Most of our staff, volunteers and trustees are stroke survivors, family members, or have a close personal connection to stroke. We recognise that younger stroke survivors and family members are the experts in stroke recovery and rehabilitation. We consult with them regularly to make sure that our services are relevant and personalised.
Carers
Gov UK – Caring for someoneCarers resourcesGives details of services and benefits for UK carers.
Citizens Advice Scotland – Carers Help & Support
Carers UKHelpline: 0808 808 7777www.carersuk.org
Carers UK provides information and advice to people who provide unpaid support to their relatives, partners or friends who are chronically ill, disabled or frail.
Carers Direct
Helpline: 0300 123 1053
www.nhs.uk/carersdirectwww.youngcarers.netPart of the NHS Choices website. It provides a gateway to comprehensive sources of information for carers. The site has been developed in conjunction with the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Carers UK, Crossroads, and Young Carers Net. It contains information about benefits, links to national and local support organisations, and a directory of services. (9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) (11am to 4pm at weekends) You can ask for a call back in one of more than 170 languages.Carers Trust
Head Office: Tel: 0300 772 9600www.carers.org
We work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems. We do this with a UK wide network of quality assured independent partners and through the provision of grants to help carers get the extra help they need to live their own lives.
With locally based Network Partners we are able to support carers in their homes through the provision of replacement care, and in the community with information, advice, emotional support, hands on practical help and access to much needed breaks. We offer specialist services for carers of people of all ages and conditions and a range of individually tailored support and group activities.
Age UK
Helpline: 0800 678 1602
Looking after yourself as a carer
We believe that age needs respect. It needs kindness. Sometimes it needs help. Because there is strength in numbers, Age Concern and Help the Aged have joined forces to become Age UK – so that we can be here for everyone in later life. Age UK aims to improve later life for everyone through our information and advice, services, campaigns, products, training and research.
Care Rights UK
Helpline: 020 7359 8136
We are the charity focused on defending the rights of people in care. We want people to know their rights and how to use them. We offer information, advice and support to empower people using care services, and their relatives and friends. As a community of families and experts, we have joined forces to fight for better lives for people in care. We challenge poor care, highlight good practice and demand a better care system.