Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Communication Support +

- Needs led approach

Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Communication +

Communication Pathways

REFERRAL Within agreed response

time. Information, advice

& referral to other services Goals agreed

Blocks of communication group sessions

using supported conversation

Community based 1-1 support

for stroke survivors to help to reconnect

with life

These can be between 8 – 12 weeks.

Review will follow at end of each block

As many blocks of communication group

sessionsas needed

will be offered

Blocks of communication sessions

can be of special interest (using supported

conversation) and in different places to meet

the needs of service users

Continuing SupportOffered to service users and carer, either as part of the Communication Support service or via Stroke

Association Support Groups

Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.ukStroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Mr A referred to Communication Support service

Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.ukStroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Stroke Association Support Coordinator arranges to visit and assess needs

Mr A lives with his wife and has moderate expressive communication difficulties. He is mobile but uses a walking aid.

He is feeling isolated and would like an opportunity to meet others and increase his confidence.He also wishes his wife had more of an understanding of how she can support him to be more independent in

his communication. He used to enjoy going to watch his local football team play at a weekend but he doesn’t feel confident to go with

his friends as he used to and believes that they don’t understand his speech since his stroke.

Mr A, his wife and the coordinator decide together on some initial goals to work towards.

Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.ukStroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Identified Goals Actions Planned Outcomes Review

To attend an 8 week block of communication support to practise conversation in a safe environment

Mr A and the coordinator will arrange for Mr A to attend a weekly group for 8 weeks.

Increased confidence in communicating with others and reduced social isolation.

8 weeks

To give Mr A’s wife support to help Mr A to become more independent

Coordinator to visit Mrs A independently to talk to her about communication and how to help.

Increased independence in communicating for Mr A

8 weeks

Mr A attends an 8 week block of Communication Support independently.Mrs A has some time to herself.

The Coordinator arranges to spend some time with Mrs A to discuss how she can support Mr A to be more independent with his communication.

After 8 weeks the coordinator arranges review with Mr and

Mrs A

Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.ukStroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Mr A says that he is feeling more confident with his communication and that Mrs A has supported him more effectively recently. He still feels quite isolated and would now like to

pursue his interest in football, he still doesn’t feel confident enough to attend with his friends at the moment.

Mr A, his wife and the coordinator decide together on some further goals to work towards.

Identified Goals Actions Planned Outcomes Review

To attend a football match with a suitably interested volunteer who can support Mr A’s communication.

Coordinator will arrange to meet with Mr A and volunteer to outline support needs and arrange first match. Volunteer to accompany Mr A to 4 matches.

Increased confidence in communicating in a social environment. Reduced social isolation.

6 weeks

To support Mr A’s friends to understand his communication needs further so that he can continue to attend matches with them once the volunteer steps away.

Coordinator to arrange for one or two of Mr A’s friends to go to a match with Mr A and volunteer after initial visit and to explain Mr A’s support needs giving guidance. Friends to attend matches with Mr A after 2 weeks, volunteer to withdraw after 4 weeks.

Independence to attend football matches with friends.

6 weeks

Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.ukStroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Mr A attends 2 football matches accompanied by a volunteer who also enjoys football.

In the meantime the coordinator and Mr A meet one of his friends to discuss how to support Mr A in with his communication and in particular

at the football match.After 2 matches Mr A’s friend also attends the match with the volunteer.After 4 matches the volunteer does not attend and leaves Mr A and his

friend to attend on their own as they did before Mr A’s stroke.

After 6 weeks the coordinator arranges review with Mr and

Mrs A

Mr A says he is really enjoying going to football again and his friends know how to support him.

Mr A’s wife is feeling a lot more positive about things as she can now spend some time with her friends when Mr A is at football.

Although Mr A is very much happier with his communication he still feels he would benefit from a further 8 weeks of communication support to strengthen his confidence and that sharing his experience may help

others.

Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.ukStroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Identified Goals Actions Planned Outcomes Review

To attend a further 8 week block of communication support strengthen confidence and share experience with others

Mr A and the coordinator will arrange for Mr A to attend a further weekly group for 8 weeks.

Further strengthened confidence in communicating with others and support to others earlier in journey.

8 weeks

After 8 weeks the coordinator arranges review with Mr and

Mrs A

Mr A has found the last 8 weeks to be extremely beneficial to his confidence.

He has found friendships with 2 other similar age stroke survivors and feels his experiences have given them confidence.

Mr A doesn’t feel he needs group support anymore but would like to stay in touch with the friends he has made

Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.ukStroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Mr A arranges to stay in touch with his 2 friends from the support group and they arrange to meet up once a week for peer support.

The coordinator arranges to telephone Mr A and his wife in 8 weeks to see how things are going.

8 week telephone review

Mr A and his 2 friends are still continuing to meet up. He is still attending football matches.

Mrs A is feeling happier.

Coordinator and Mr A now agree the they will stay in touch for another 3 months. If all is well after this time Mr A will

be discharged from the service.Mr and Mrs A know they can contact the service at any

time.

Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.ukStroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Referral

Support plan with volunteer

Review

Block of support

Assessment

Review

Block of support

Review

Peer support

Review

Peer support

Review

Discharge from service or

Continuing Support

8 weeks

6 weeks

8 weeks

8 weeks

12 weeks

Stroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.ukStroke helpline Website0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk

Continuing support

• Can take many forms

• …peer support, traditional continuing support, through services and with access to other social support settings

• …………….