The Stroke Foundation of New Zealand and Stroke
Tairāwhiti are pleased to announce that on February 28 the
organisations will join forces to achieve their shared goal
to reduce strokes, improve outcomes and save
lives.
All services offered by both charities will
continue, with Stroke Tairāwhiti teaming up with the Stroke
Foundation’s Midland Region team which covers the rest of
the central North Island.
The Stroke Tairāwhiti team
will continue to work from the Gisborne office, helping
clients and their whānau to live their best possible lives
before and after stroke.
Jan Ewart, President of
Stroke Tairāwhiti, says: “There are many benefits to be
gained from joining New Zealand’s national stroke
organisation, while still maintaining our local workforce,
services, and community connections.
“We will
continue to provide the same high standard of service,
alongside new health promotion and stroke prevention
services, including free blood pressure checks, educational
resources, and online and in-person support for stroke
survivors and their whānau.
“Both our organisations
will be stronger together in the fight against
stroke.”
Jo Lambert, Chief Executive of the Stroke
Foundation, says: “The Stroke Foundation is investing in
the community at a time when many local services are moving
out of the region. This will enable the continuation of
Stroke Tairāwhiti’s important work supporting stroke
survivors and their whānau across the region.
“With
one stroke taking place every 55 minutes, there are
currently 64,000 people living with the after effects of
their stroke, and a further 300,000 indirectly impacted.
Research conducted last year predicted that by 2028, this
figure would rise by 40 per cent, and we are on target to
exceed this.
“Māori and Pasifika are
disproportionately affected by stroke due to the social
determinants of health, health inequity and lack of access
– particularly in rural areas like
Tairāwhiti.
“We urgently need to come together to
address these inequities and slow the tide of the oncoming
stroke tsunami. That is why we are joining forces with
Stroke Tairāwhiti to create one nationally consistent
community stroke support service for
Aotearoa.
Meeting the needs of the stroke-affected
community of Aotearoa
The Stroke Foundation is New
Zealand’s national stroke prevention and recovery charity.
For more than 40 years, we have worked to prevent stroke and
help survivors access the support they need to live their
best possible life after their stroke.
Our services
include:
- Community Stroke Advisors who support
stroke survivors and their whānau in communities across the
country. - Return-to-Work Advisors who help clients
return to work after their stroke, working with employers
and individuals to develop a practical plan. - Health
promotion initiatives including campaigns, key messages to
help people spot the warning signs of stroke, and specific
trade-based initiatives targeted at high-risk
groups. - Stroke prevention and ‘life after
stroke’ resources, including information to help young
people, whānau, and carers navigate the challenges of
looking after a loved one after a stroke
hits.
The generosity of our donors makes it
possible for us to help thousands of stroke survivors every
year. Our teams work in the community to ensure the best
possible outcomes for stroke survivors, their whānau and
carers.
Given the resources, support, and expertise
the Stroke Foundation can offer, we believe this change will
boost stroke prevention and health promotion services across
Tairawhiti.
Stroke Tairawhiti has been operating as an
incorporated society since 1993, in a region of more than
43,000 people. The charity’s major activities are the
provision of life after stroke support to more than 60
people a year, the delivery of a range of rehabilitation
services in the community and, raising awareness of the
risks of stroke through health promotion
campaigns.
The merger between the two charities will
be finalised on February 28 and the Stroke Foundation’s
branding will be introduced to the region soon
after.
© Scoop Media
Discussion about this post