2. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
Changes to
Life After
Stroke Grants
Neil Chapman
May 2013

3. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
Why change?
• Review undertaken on how Life After Stroke Grants were
allocated and used across regions showed inequity of use
• Review of the use of Communication Support services non
essential expenditure funding, found it was not always
being used to good effect and only CS service users
benefitted
• The aim is to give every region greater influence and
opportunity over how Life After Stroke Grants are used
• Instead of just CS the Development fund will provide a
resource to offer greater creativity and innovation in terms
of support to stroke survivors

4. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
What have we done so
far?
• Set up Regional Grants Panel – made up of any 3 from
Pam Downes, Lou Everett, Kerry Foot, Neil Chapman, Bev
Reynolds and Sara Betsworth, but must include at least 1
Manager – we will meet at least once a week when
necessary
• We have new forms and guidance available at Z:Life After
Stroke Grants
• We have new email address: grantseasteng@stroke.org.uk
• Please send your Grant Application to this mailbox – it will
speed up your application
• Please complete all required information fields

5. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
The main changes
• 2 Categories: LAS Grants and Development Fund
• The LAS Grant Budget is now distributed based
on the estimated number of stroke survivors in
the region
• The Development Fund is distributed based on
the number of referrals per region
• 3 types of LAS Grant: 1 Hardship Grant, 2
Recovery Grant and 3 Activity Grant

6. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
The main changes
• 1 – Hardship Grant: for Contingency support
• Can only be applied for by Stroke Association Staff on
behalf of client.
• Maximum of £100
• Paid at the discretion of the RHOP in conjunction with
the Regional Grants Panel
• For e.g. fuel, clothing, food or support with transport
costs for families to visit stroke survivors prior to
repatriation to local area

7. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
The main changes
•1 – Hardship Grant: for Contingency support (cont)
• For clients who can’t access their funds or don’t have
any
• Separate application form
• Only to be used in Absolute Emergencies
• Can subsequently apply for other grants if eligible

8. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
The main changes
•2 – Recovery Grant: for intermediate relief
• Applications by Stroke Association Staff or other
professional working with client because of their stroke
– including health and social service staff, reputable
voluntary or charitable bodies
• Maximum £300
• Difference between income and expenditure must be
less than £50
• Maximum savings £3000

9. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
The main changes
•2 – Recovery Grant: for intermediate relief (cont)
• Application assessed by the regional grants panel
• For e.g. specialised respite or family holiday in UK,
washing machine, tumble dryer, fridge, energy bills,
beds and bedding, medical equipment or disability aids
not available from NHS, travel costs for compassionate
reasons

10. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
The main changes
•3 – Activity Grants: to support Life After Stroke
Activity
• This grant can only be applied for by Stroke
Association Staff on behalf of a stroke survivor
• To support the achievement of goals and outcomes
defined within the support plan of the stroke survivor
• To support the re-ablement of the person improving
quality of life in real terms – think of the outcome
measures, choice and control, making a positive
contribution, quality of life, economic wellbeing,
freedom from discrimination, health and wellbeing and
personal dignity
• Maximum grant approx £300

11. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
What’s not funded?
• Ongoing commitments can’t be considered – e.g.
mortgage, rent
• Grants cannot be made retrospectively – approval must be
sought in advance before agreeing joint funding with other
sources
• Private medical treatment
• Travel outside the UK
• Labour costs, other than installation of white goods,
including item removal and structural alterations
• Nursing home fees other than respite
• Debts and rent arrears

12. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
The Development Fund
•Funded with monies from the CS miscellaneous
pot
•Determined by the number of referrals per region
•All Services staff can bid for funding from this
budget, in the past it was only available to CS staff
•Not available to outside staff
•For enhancing and developing existing services
•For creating a new activity for a service group

13. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
The Development Fund
•Providing tools and resources for groups and
activities e.g. fishing, gardening tools, seeds, art
equipment, support to attend an exhibition
•Be creative and inspiring
•Submissions which are made collaboratively
across services or with groups for development or
activity encouraged –however this cannot be used
simply to subsidise SAVG’s
•Budget held by the Region and decided on a
quarterly basis by a panel consisting of clients,
volunteers, and staff.
•Full process yet to be advised

14. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
How much money do
we have?
•We have £12600 in the LAS Grant Budget to fund
the Hardship, Recovery and Activity Grants and
•We have £14818 in the Development fund, less
approx £200 per CS of which we have 7 so that’s
£13418
•We want this money used wisely and if we don’t
spend it the funds will be re assigned to other
Regions where they are using it effectively

15. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
Submitting a good bid
• Please complete all required information fields
• Please demonstrate how the grant will be of long term
benefit to the client – not just a short term fix
• Send to grantseasteng@stroke.org.uk
• Read and follow the Guidance notes
• Give us the required information
• Make the form legible
• Need a written recommendation from a consultant or
assessment by OT, Physio for medical equipment and aids
including riser recliner chairs

16. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
Key Points to Note
•We expect to see quality applications both in
detail and in accuracy
•Any applications incomplete or poorly
completed will be returned for improvement
or completion
•We will be able to turn applications round
sooner because we handle them locally but
only if the above is applied

17. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100
stroke.org.uk
Quiz time
Which one of these applications would you approve and why?
A Paul lives with Greta and their
grown up son Ron. Ron is often
away working and Greta is Paul's
full time carer. They have no
savings, but have not applied for
any benefits. They usually eat
take-aways after their fridge
broke. Last week Paul bought a
fridge freezer from a friend. He is
applying for £100 to cover the
cost of the fridge and £10 for the
delivery man to deliver and install
it.
B Wendy is applying or a bed that
costs £185 and will allow her to
leave hospital. Her income of
£206pw comes entirely from her
pension and her expenditure of £195
includes the cost of home care
support and incontinence pads.
Since her husband was admitted to
a care home with Dementia, she has
been living alone in her second floor
flat. The bed will allow her to move
in to her daughter’s ground floor flat
which means she will need less
support and will be more
independent.