A stroke can leave you feeling shocked and confused. It can be difficult to know where to start. You don’t have to face recovery alone. Whatever you’re facing, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Our friendly, expert team are here to listen. We can answer any immediate questions you might have about stroke, what to expect on the road to recovery and anything else you might want to know, and we’ll connect you to the help you need.
With the right support, things can get better.
If you think that you or someone you know is having a stroke, please call 999 immediately.
Who is the Stroke Support Helpline for?
Our Helpline is here for you and your family and friends, wherever you are in the UK.
How to contact the Helpline
Call: 0303 3033 100
If you would like to speak to us in a language other than English, please let us know at the start of the call. You can call through a telephone interpreting service called Language is Everything. This service provides interpreters who can speak over 200 different languages.
We also work with SignVideo to help British Sign Language (BSL) users in the UK to communicate over the phone.
Email: helpline@stroke.org.uk
Live Chat: available via the chat icon in the bottom right of your screen during operating hours.
Our Live Chat is currently being trialled and may be switched on or off periodically. Terms of use can be found here.
When are we open?
Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Sunday: Closed
Live Chat is currently being trialled and is generally available during Helpline opening hours. It may occasionally be unavailable while we test and improve the service, or if we are experiencing extremely high volumes.
If you're struggling to get through, please do try again.
We may be experiencing a higher number of calls that usual.
Afternoons tend to be quieter.
If the Helpline is closed, please read our out of hour contacts information.
The Stroke Association’s support was a lifeline to me. I don’t know where I’d be without them – their support saved and improved my life, and they’re still just a call, email, or text away for anything I need
Jacinta, stroke survivor
What can we help you with?
We'll provide you with
- Stroke specific information. This could include sending you leaflets and factsheets about stroke through the post or by email.
- Answers to questions you have about stroke, what to expect on the road to recovery and anything else you might want to know.
- Guidance and support with practical problems like fatigue, finances, getting back to work, driving and more.
- A listening ear and time to talk through your situation. Often, it's easier to talk to someone you don't know.
- Help you talk through your options, so you feel able to make decisions and more confident to take the next step.
- Information about what other services and support might be available and how to access it.
- Ways to connect with other stroke survivors and their loved ones who have been there.
The Stroke Association was there right from the beginning and has been with me throughout my whole journey. They’ve been so supportive – they’re my go-to for everything and anything to do with stroke.
Marwar, stroke survivor
In emergency situations, please call 999 in the UK
In non-emergency situations, please call:
- NHS 11 (England) - 111
- NHS 24 (Scotland) - 111
- NHS Direct (Wales) - 0845 46 47
- GP out of hours service (Northern Ireland)
When our Helpline is closed, or all our lines are busy, you might be able to find what you are looking for within our Stroke Information and Support area. You can also email helpline@stroke.org.uk and one of our team will get back to you within five working days.
*Calls to 03 numbers are charged at no more than national rate calls to standard UK landline phone numbers starting with 01 or 02, and they must be included in your phone provider's inclusive minutes and discount schemes in the same way.
Please note: to check the quality and consistency of our service, and for learning and development purposes, we will occasionally listen in to calls and read written enquiries. We also sometimes record calls for this purpose. Please feel free to tell us not to, if you are not comfortable with this. All staff and volunteers are bound by our strict confidentiality policy. For further information, see our terms and conditions.
For information about how Live Chat works, chat transcripts and data retention, please read our Live Chat Terms of Use.
Post: Stroke Helpline, Stroke Association, 1 Sterling Business Park, Salthouse Road, Brackmills, Northampton, NN4 7EX
Textphone: 18001 0303 3033 100
Social media: Facebook and X (Twitter)
- Samaritans - provide confidential, emotional support.
- Lifeline - For anyone in Northern Ireland who is experiencing any kind of distress of despair.
- Helplines Partnership - Find other helplines through the online directory.
- Support in your area - Our commissioned local services that provide a variety of support options.
- Online community - Connect to people who understand what you are going through.