2. Stroke helpline Website
0845 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
sessions
as 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 Support
Offered to service users and carer, either as part of the Communication Support service or via Stroke
Association Support Groups
3. Stroke helpline Website
0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk
Stroke helpline Website
0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk
Mr A referred to
Communication
Support service
4. Stroke helpline Website
0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk
Stroke helpline Website
0845 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.
5. Stroke helpline Website
0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk
Stroke helpline Website
0845 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
6. Stroke helpline Website
0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk
Stroke helpline Website
0845 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
7. Stroke helpline Website
0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk
Stroke helpline Website
0845 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.
8. Stroke helpline Website
0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk
Stroke helpline Website
0845 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
9. Stroke helpline Website
0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk
Stroke helpline Website
0845 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.
10. Stroke helpline Website
0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk
Stroke helpline Website
0845 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
11. Stroke helpline Website
0845 3033 100 www.stroke.org.uk
Stroke helpline Website
0845 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
• …………….