After he had a lifechanging stroke in July 2021, aged 49, the committed civil servant was no longer able to work, drive or do his hobbies. He experienced a profound sense of loss after his stroke and spiralled into depression.

But when he became a Lived Experience volunteer for the Stroke Association’s Weekly Volunteer Calls, he realised he could still make a meaningful difference.

Now, Daniel is a strong advocate for volunteering, not only to support others but also to support his own recovery journey.

Daniel explained: “The Stroke Association have been a great source of shared experience. I get as much from volunteering as the people I support. Speaking to other people who, despite their challenges, are managing to adapt, is inspiring.

'Hearing their tales of perseverance gives me the strength to keep pushing forward too. I now realise I am incredibly lucky to have abilities like speaking and understanding.'

Daniel found out about the Stroke Association’s Weekly Volunteer Calls through reading the charity’s newsletter.

He said: 'I enjoyed the newsletter because it has lots of different people’s stories and experiences, I still get it now.

I read an article about the Weekly Volunteer Calls and the light touch nature of the service appealed to me, more than going to a local group. It struck me that I might get something out of speaking to other people and hearing different perspectives.

In February 2024, Daniel signed up to be a Lived Experience volunteer. Since then, he has been providing weekly phone calls to stroke survivors, offering them a chance to chat, feel connected and learn new ways to cope with the impact of stroke.

He said: 'I think a weekly call supports people adjust to their new reality in a gentle and gradual way.

'From personal experience, being overly ambitious with goal setting in the early stages after a stroke can be counterproductive and pushing through fatigue sets you back. I try to temper expectations, encourage people to be a little kinder to themselves and just listen to their bodies. Benefits will come with time and patience.

'It’s very reassuring for stroke survivors, especially younger ones, to know that they're not alone in their experiences. On the calls, when I reflect that it felt very odd having to learn how to walk again at 50 years old, this often strikes a chord with fellow stroke survivors, as most people don't know what that type of experience feels like.'

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For Daniel, volunteering has become part of his own personal, long-term recovery journey. Both giving and getting support are elements of the service that he values equally.

He said: 'Speaking to other people with different perspectives has enormous benefits. It has helped me shift my mindset to focus on what I am still able to do and appreciate how fortunate I am.

'I also share approaches and resources that have helped me. For example, I was really concerned about having another stroke. My psychologist helped me draw a pie chart of the aspects I thought had contributed to my stroke – which was mainly my high-salt diet and work stress. She demonstrated that through eating more healthily and reducing work stress, I was already managing the risks that were within my control.

'Volunteering has been a very positive experience for me, and I would suggest that anyone gives it a go. You might get enormous benefit from speaking to other people.'