All users of the Online Community are expected to comply with our community rules.

For an aphasia-friendly version of the community rules, please see here: Aphasia-friendly Community Rules (PDF)

Please read these along with our Terms and conditions

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The Online Community is for peer support and connection by sharing lived experiences of stroke and recovery.

Our Online Community has rules to keep it safe.

Please check these rules regularly to stay updated.

This is a public place, so be careful with what you share.

Do not give out personal details like your home address or phone number.

Always be kind and respectful to others.

To join, you need to be eighteen or older and connected to stroke (including health professionals).

The information here is not medical or legal advice. Always talk to a professional before making decisions.

Stay safe

The Online Community is public so anyone on the internet can see your posts and username.

• Only share information you are comfortable sharing publicly.

• Avoid giving out personal or sensitive details like full names, home addresses, email addresses, financial information, or phone numbers.

• Keep your password safe. Do not let anyone else use your account.

Be mindful of privacy

• Be cautious when discussing family and friends. They might not want their personal stories shared online.

• Avoid sharing details about your daily movements or routines.

Be kind and respectful

• Avoid personal attacks, offensive or derogatory language, or hateful content.

• Mild swearing is okay if it is in context, not excessive or aimed at anyone.

• Avoid using all CAPITAL LETTERS - it can seem like shouting.

Privacy matters

• Respect others’ boundaries and privacy. If someone does not respond or asks you to stop commenting, please do so.

Be truthful and reliable

• Make sure everything you post is true and reliable.

• Breaking this rule may result in:

  • Your post being removed,

  • Receiving a warning,

  • Or an account suspension.

Legal considerations

• Do not break the law or share content you do not have the right to share.

• Avoid copying sections from other websites to prevent copyright issues. Instead, provide a short description and include the website link.

Avoid unwanted content

• Do not send spam, chain letters, or junk messages to other users.

Be authentic

• Do not pretend to be someone else or falsely claim connections with people or organisations. This includes creating multiple accounts.

Reporting concerns

• If you have any concerns, please let us know. The fastest way to get a moderator’s attention is by flagging a post.

• When you flag a post, it stays confidential. Only the moderators will see who the flagged content. The original poster will not know who flagged their post.

• If you come across something that worries you or seems wrong, do not hesitate to let staff know. The moderation team will look at it and decide what to do.

Do not advertise or make research or fundraising requests

• Do not post ads or promotions for companies or campaigns that directly compete with the Stroke Association.

• Do not directly contact members to take part in research. All research enquiries must go through the Research Team at research@stroke.org.uk.

• Do not make personal donation and fundraising requests.

What you can expect from the Moderation Team

• Our moderators help keep the community safe and friendly. They make sure everyone follows the rules, help members, and share useful information.

• Moderators are not trained to give health advice or handle emergencies.

• Do not talk about or complain about moderators’ decisions in public, like suspensions or complaints. These posts will be removed.

• Their decisions are final, and abusive behaviour is not acceptable.

How and when we moderate

• Our team uses special tools and people to check posts often. We try our best, but we cannot see everything all the time since the Online Community is not watched 24/7.

How we keep you safe

If we think someone might be in danger, we will act to protect them and others.

• We have a system that hides posts with words about harm and abuse so our team can check them.

• We will look at any flagged posts about a member’s safety.

• We will contact the person if we are worried, they are in danger and offer help if they agree.

• We might change or move posts that show someone is at risk of harm.

• Sometimes, we will contact other users who might be affected by someone’s post.

What happens if you do not abide by the rules

We have a process for when the rules are broken.

• If someone breaks a rule, we will start by giving them a warning and try to help them address their behaviour.

• If the rules keep being broken, we may need to suspend or permanently remove them from the community.

• We might need to block access right away to keep everyone safe. We will explain the decision and the reasons by email.

Keep talking to us

• If you have questions about these rules, please email the team at online.community@stroke.org.uk.

How to give feedback

• We are always happy to get your feedback. Your comments help us improve our service. The best way to share your thoughts is by filling out our feedback form.

How to complain

• If you have concerns about the Online Community’s operation, its users, or its staff, please complete our standard complaints form with the details of your complaint. We take all complaints seriously. We are committed to resolving them promptly.

• Alternatively, you can call 0300 3300 740 to speak to our Supporter Care team.