Stroke Association "changes direction" in island

Wednesday 14 July 2021

The Stroke Association is closing its Jersey office and reducing the number of local staff as it “changes direction” in the island.

The nationwide charity is now recruiting for a Service Delivery and Engagement Officer, who will replace a Fundraising and Operations Manager and a Stroke Support Coordinator.

The charity emphasises that the change will have no impact on the provision of care to stroke survivors in Jersey. 

Jacqui Cuthbert, Associate Director at the Stroke Association, said: “The Stroke Association provides a Stroke Recovery Service for stroke survivors, their families and carers living in Jersey.

“We’ve recently made the decision to change the structure of the team, to better reflect the needs of people affected by stroke on the island. 

“We know that this change in direction is vital. Our vision is for there to be fewer strokes and for people affected by stroke to get the help they need to rebuild their lives."

She continued: “Moving forwards, we will employ a Service Delivery and Engagement Officer, which will enable us to put more emphasis on influencing the health system on the island, to ensure there is a better stroke care pathway in place. 

“This role will still focus on delivering high quality support to people affected by stroke, while also ensuring collaborative partnership working and signposting to other organisations where needed.”

The charity is also closing its First Tower office.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “The building that we have occupied in Jersey is closing, as are all but a very small number of our offices, because we’ve moved to remote working. 

“Our move to remote working has been successful and this is working for the people we support, although the role that we are recruiting for will be based in Jersey.

“By shifting our focus from fundraising to service delivery and influencing the stroke pathway, we believe we will better support people affected by stroke without replicating support already available.”

The charity said that any money raised in Jersey would be spent locally in line with its budgeted plans. Money raised above this would go towards the general aims of the Stroke Association, including services like its helpline, which are available in Jersey but are funded centrally.

It urged islanders to become familiar with the ‘Act F.A.S.T.’ acronym to recognise the signs of a stroke: Face, Arms, Speech and Time (to call 999 and ask for an ambulance).

The Stroke Association in Jersey has organised a number of successful fundraising events over recent years, including a charity cycle ride between London and Paris in 2012, inspired by local stroke survivor Anthony Lewis, and a ride between London and Amsterdam in 2019.