Hi all,
I hope you’re enjoying the summer months! I don’t know about you, but I complain about the cooler weather and then stay in the shade when it reaches anything over the teens. Is it bad that I’m slightly relieved we have rain in my neck of the woods 
.
Anyway, on to our latest update.
Over the past year we’ve listened to your feedback which has helped us to understand more about the Online Community and how it’s at its best when there’s a clear focus on you guys having a space where you are able to support each other by sharing your personal stories and experiences of your stroke journeys.
We have also spoken to some of you directly to help us to understand the reason for joining the Online Community. It was very clear that whilst having professional advice was helpful, having the chance to get that ‘real life’ advice and experience from people who had similar experiences was invaluable.
For this reason, we are changing the criteria on the registration form.
In the past, the Online Community was a very difference space and people who did not have lived experience of stroke were able to sign up.
We will be removing the below options:
- Stroke Association staff
- Health professional
- Researcher
The new criteria will be:
- Stroke survivor
- Family member or friend affected by stroke
- Parent or carer of a childhood stroke survivor
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be contacting some of you directly, who may not meet the new criteria. Please don’t worry if you previously met one of the old criteria that we’re removing and now meet the new criteria. We will advise you how to let us know and support you to remain on the community.
The new form is now live and will not affect how you use the community. Please continue to use the community as normal by giving and receiving the invaluable support to each other.
We hope you understand the reason for the changes. If you have any concerns or questions, you’re more than welcome to contact me directly by email: nicola.miller@stroke.org.uk.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.
Best wishes,
Nicola