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Annual Report and Financial Statements Year endlng 31 March 2024 stfok6 Findingstrength throughsupport Assocjatton

Contents Introduction Welcome from the t31r and Chief Exeaitive Our charlty Flnding strength through support ,10 Our valties ,12 How we secure best care and 5LPPOrt for everyone affected by stroke ,14 Our long-Eerm goals ,16 Our aChVernnts ,18 FdIng our work .20 Strategic report 20 We 5ported thousands of people affected by stroke 40 We worked wlth teaders and StakeIderS to make stroke a higher priority 60 We Invested in vital stroke research 68 We built reL3tionsnips with local comrThinities and orgaNsal'ons 76 Ratsing rroney for stroke and awareness of wr cause 88 Hrm we work 98 Financlal review 108 Governance 108 Our structure, g(wemance and manageent 132 Flnancial statements 132 Independent audltor's report 138 Consoudated staiement of financial 3ctwits.es 139 Chafity Statemeni of h'nancial art"Ivities 140 Consolidated balance 51*et 141 Charity balance S[ 142 Consoudated statement of cash flows 143 Princlpal accounting poucies 150 Notes to the financial 5t3ternents Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Welcome from the Chair and the Chief Executive Welcome to this year's Annual ReporL Ivs been a year of remarkable succes5 in the face of significant challenge& We faced continued P0't1(aL Instabl"ty in atl four nations of the UK. Statutory health and soclal care pressures Increased. And, although inflation started to drop during the year. Increasing food, energy and mortgage prices still harmed many people affected by stroke. However, despite Such ob5tscLes, we continued to see strong Leadership and progress in both clinical practlce and research related to stroke. A highlight was the rou out of artificSaL intelligence (Al) to as5i5t stroke physlci3ns wlth stroke imaging interpretation to Inform their decisions about thromboly5is and thrombettomy. We also saw recovery in sofTE key performance measures for stroke serrfice5. However, the UK is StIIL far from reaching tx)th UK cknnicaL guidets.ne targets and intemational stsndard Despite challenges. the Stroke A550ciation remained resilient. We Irbcre3sed our benehciary reach, strengthened our relatson5hips and Influence io make Stroke a hIgtrr priority, and delivered our be5l ever year for incorr. We start 2024-25 in a srrong fi'nancial position, with our staff and volunteer5 eThttrKp5iasticaLLy Cornmed 10 furtlr increagng cw reach aviareness, income and irnpacL Despfte our best efforts, we're currently only reaching one thlrd of people in their first year after 5uoke. We have significant work ahead of u5 10 achieve (xjr goal of react¥ng and enhancing the Irves of every person W'S recentty had a stroke. We expanijed the reath of OLW locallty 5erwces and the reach of our unwer5al services, thanks in part tri efforts from NHS teams to boost refwrals to the Stroke Assoclats'on. FUrthenDre, we Increased o spend on stroke support services by £2.6 rniLlion coryared io previoJs year. And we prjorltsed Improving the qualrty of our supporL Induding rolLirbg out a new 'Ask and Act, feedback survey and lrnprovinq our Inrtial gJPPOrt cau& Deuverlng stroke support Income frDrn our commissioned sefvices Increased by 7Yo. However, ertemaL budget CUT5 threatened more of our servlces, especIaY those fiJnded by local authorities, and reduced our contratt margins. In 2023-24, we Inased the nLrymber of stTDke SLNvors we reached by IOYQ. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Advocating and Influenclng to make stroke a hlgher priorlty We contsnued to advocate for locaL and national sysiem decision maker5 to prioritise stroke and to buiLd &7[50n$¢ps with parttameniarians and clvil 5ervant5 in all fo¢Jr nats.ons of the UK. In anD"cipation of the General Elertiorn we prepared a manifesto ernphasislng that stroke is PVen[able, treatable and recoverable. We urged the ew UK Government to provide Ihe Po.[1G71 Leadership necessary to en5vre stroke services rret natlonaL guideunes. 50 that all SUTViVOf5 have acce5S to the seNices they need to a(heve the best Possible recovery. Wales hwe slwwn Inierest and corTYnim)ent to stroke PREMS. Northeffj Ireland has Committed to explDre runnlry PREMS In 2025. Unfortunatrly, stroke services were not irnmune to wlder NHS h"nancial pressures. Desplte our best efforts. staff post5 were cut within Integfated Stroke DelNery Networks IISDN51 in EngLand and fundlng for quaLIty Improvement continued EO be short-ierm. Financsal pressures and Lack of a functioning ExecutlvE for rrnKh of thp year hampered progress in Northem Irelan ough our second 'Savings Bralns. repo V• agaln highLJghted thE need for round-the- cLock thrombeaory provision, Ufging faster roLLour and ewty in geOgrapcal access. Conversations with key decisi( maker5 kept thrombectomy front of mind across the UK and resutted in Professor Sir Steve Powi NHS England's NatsonaL Medical Director, commithng to visit alL thrombeaomy centres In England In 2024-25 to demar pro9ress. Fundlng re5earth In lane with our Co1trnet tu restore research funding to pre-pandernic levels, we inue35ed incorne for re5eafch frorn £2.5 mlLUoll 10 £3.7 miLtson, funding six Inth'viduals to pursue research careers In stroke and se4en projert 9rants: We developed key partnerships to leyerage much-needed additlonal monies IntD stroke re5earcfrL These Included a ES00,000 investment into a ftve-year partnershp with the Brwttsh Heart F(XffKlatlon18HF) Data Science CenLre and Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) to Use Large data seE5 to cataly5e Stroke trealTrt and care. Our partnership with the National Insts'tute for Health and Care Research {NIHRI continued with joint funding ol large research programme5 addSSIng rehabilit3tion and Long-term care. We were also debghted to secure funding from t UK GovemrrEnt's MedlcaL Research Chanties Early Career ResearcheF5 Support Fund wjorth a record £576.000. This aLlowed us to support16 research studeritships/felLow5tr¥ps for 202> 24. givlng us more flexibiuty in ttE comtng year wlth Iv>w we fund additronal stroke rese3rdL In response io unequal 3cce5S to lrfe. after siroke services across the UK, we launched our 'Thrivlng After Stroke, report In We5tmin5ter. calung for COMPhenSe support lor alL people affected by stroke, access tD a key workef and a slx-month In September 2023. the results of the hrst ever Stroke PREMS IPau'ent Reported Experience Measures) survey, a groundbfeaklng plot between Stroke Association and NHS England. were publi5td (please see page 431. As a result of this, NHS EngLand has C0Thrlled to Eaklng stroke PREMS into its national patient survey pr(xJrarnrne to ensure patlent experience is vatued and conydered Important as a key inpLrt 10 better stroke support and care. Fouowlng our awafeness raising and influenong worK ScotLand and strok&or4uk

Engaglng wlth IndIdUaL5 and communtties We furttrEr deveLoped several tocal and naiionaL partnersPM'ps other organisations and contlnued to evolve our Community Connector voLunCeers wtK) help. raise awareness of stroke and the Stroke Association In tr1r local colrrffiIues. many of whom have [ed experience of strok Our annuat Staff engagement Scores conthued to fenett improveffnt from a strong tsasene. Nearty 90% of staff recommended charity as a good or great place to vrfork. we' addressing the need io improve agillty, Innovatson and clearer decision making through new %vay5 of working supported by the Executive Team and Trust Rals5ng money and pubuc awarenes5 Despite Ihe difficult extemal economic environmenL we had best income and fvndra15ing year yet. Our total Income wa5 £42.1 rn1.0n, an increase of £1.5 milllon from the previou5 year. Fundraised Income brought in a iotal 01 £28.9 mlltsan, £480,000 rTK)re than the 2022-23 year, and Te 4vas a galn on Investments of £3.6 rnilljon. We Increased spend on our chariLible activrtles by 76V.. Our strategy to Use re5erve5 accurTrJlated in previous years to accelerate our strategy retted in a planned deficit of £1.7 rrMILlon. Looking ahead We're in a financially, cuLturally and operatlonalLy strong postfK)n. Our prrity now 15 to acceleralE progress against wr b arTthiiion5: Reach evewne as soon as possible after IT Strok Advocate for 2417 acce55 to tfvombectomy across the UL Inuease pubLlc awareness of struke arml of our charity, A(tYe trans!ormats'onaL income growth: Achievlng these goals wilL require unwavering commitrnent and leadershipi great parmerships. and new ways of working to unlock pace and progress, We corrYnts5ioned rnarket research to betcer Lmdefsiand how we can make stroke a Tre well-known and popular cause. This Inforrrth our brand refresh, launthng In 2024-25, whith WILI enable rnore stroke survivors to Leam about our support services and increase pubbc awareness of our charity. Thank you A big THANK YOU to the wFK>le stroke comrtxmlty wtw) make our succe55 possible. This Includes people affected by stroke, stroke professionals, researchers, our Staff, voLLmteers, partners and the trundreds of thwsands of loyaL supporters wtK> are 50 generous Wsth thelr tifne. money and encour3gernenL We'd aLso ke to thdnk our trustees and Independent advisors. Your generDsIty as volunteers and your strategic Inslghts are rIh appreciated. Improving how we work We made sonificani progre55 during tr year on InvoLving more S[ke survNors at both project and Locauty levels, with nmbership of our Stroke Vlews Involvemeni Network growing to 450 tr5 year. To sUPPOrt Our SDlvlng Inequity in Stroke approach, deveLoped a suiie of exceLLeni communication sUPPOrt toots for people with apTrk3sia - a language and communication disorder - and started work to InrOve our equality, diversity and Inclusion pokncies, pracuce5, IranW afKI data We're proud to be worklng wth srf>V towar(ts c4Jr shared v151on ot fewer strokes and for people affected by stroke to get 1p they red to ve the best "fe trEy carL Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Jullet Bouverle 08E Chiel ExecutNe Stephen Klng Clk4tr of T[teeS strok&orguk

Our charity Finding strength through support ,Every day In the UK. another 240 people wake up to the catastrophlc Impact of a stroke. Anyone, including mums, dads, grandparents, young people and even children can be left unable to move, see. speak or swallow. It'5 a traumatic. . Ilfe-changing event that robs survlvors and their famlLies of the lrfe they knew. However. w%th strength. detennination and the right support. recovery is possibl The Stroke Assoclation Is the only charlty In the UK offerlng Ilfelong 5UPPOrt for all Stroke survivors and their families. We provide tailored support to ten5 of thousands of people every year. This includes one-ttrone and group suppor( funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention. treatrnent, recovery and long-terrn care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke. We're here for stroke survivors and thelr loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world. We support them every step of the way as they ffnd their strength and their way back to Llfe. Our vislon For ttEre to be strokes. and for people affected ty Stroke to get the help need to Uve ts best ltfe ttr*y can. Our purpose To be the trL6ted voice of stroke surVorS and tt4r famllie5. We warrt to drlve better wtcomes In stroke prevention, treatment and Ihfeknng support for everyone affected by StrokL stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

strok&o

Our values 'Our values Imderpin everythlng we do. They're the charatteristlcs tlkit make U5 distinctive and spell out our standard& We are human We believe in better We give our aLI We say it how it is We are human We believe in better We've seen the full range ol hLman emotion5 thal 5truke bring5 Out, The devastsiion, despair, sfv)ck and Indignity. We w ourselve5 In the ol ttr , people we supporL We recogni5e unlque need5, experiences, strength5 and weaknesses with kindness. And we do Ihe same wlth our coLleague5, too. We enknrace th15 10 achieve best possible ' outcome5 for Stroke suNivors <yJr chariiy ,artrd our partners.. We're optimist5c for the future. For 3IL people tsving wlth ttE devastating effects of 5Lroke and for our charity. We are driven by OUT desire for improverner however big or Sr[B We use al ts'fe stories to celebrate achievement and Inspire pe for a better fubjre. To leam from our mi5take5. And move forward 5trDnger than before, 10 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

We give our all We say it how it Is r resolve to make a dlfference mDtAvates everyone we work with. We Insplre stroke survivor5 10 gatr*r Ihe deterrninatson and strength they need to make their best recovery. knd ' charnplon their needs they can't Together, our coLLeagues rTr)tlvaie each other and move people to support us however they can. Working iogether, we set reaustsc but chalLenglng goal5 for ourselves and the people we supporL We tssten 10 what matters rnost to people so can deliver what we said we would. We aren't afraid to Show peopLe the deva513tion that soke causes. And people can do to help those affected Llve their best tsfe after stroke, strok&or4uk

How we secure the best care and support for everyone affected by stroke Stroke support servlces. We provide tailored supporL helping people ,affected by stroke to fi'nd their strength and way back to life. Systems Influenclng. We work with decision- maker5 in government and healthcare, to make stroke a higher priority and develop well-funded policies. These activltles are at heart of who we are and What we do. In this Teport we've gfouped our key successes and challenges by these four areas to help us telL the siory of (yjr year. You'lL see Irrpact OLJr vrfork has every day on peop,5 Uves - and how this contribjtes to our priorits'es and goals. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

'Research. We fund critical stroke I Iresearch, focusing on people and projects that answer questions that matter rrK)st to people affected by stroke. Communlty engagement. We build relationships with people and organisations, to make positive change in their communitles for people affected by stroke. 5trok&orguk

Our Long-term goals We have two long-term goals which help us focus our work on the thlrKJ5 we beLieve WILI have the biggest Positive Impact for stroke survivors. Last year, we also introduced four medium-term priorities - each targeting an area where we want to speed up our progress over the next three years. Goal A Make stroke the priorty It needs to be. Goal B Ensure that everyone affected by stroke has access to the rehabib"tation and Lifelong support trY need. Our medium-term priorities l. We reach and support everyone as soon as Posslble after thelf 3. More strDke connerted advlts have stroke front of mind. and rnore see the value of the Stroke A550clatlo Z Thrombectomy Is avallable 24n acro55 the UK lor au patFents who cOd beneftL 4. Create the vislon and pian to motfivate donor5 and achleve tran5formatlonal Incorne growt To achieve tt*se step changes and rnake progress towards our goats we need ta raise tt profrle ol the Stroke Association and 5ubstantialLy increase (xtr Inco. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

rfl l- li ry

Our achievements We provlded vltal support to nearly 75,000 peopLe through alL our support services, a IOYO increase from the previous year. Our Stroke Support Coordinators supported over 26,000 new people through our coordinator-led support services. The Stroke Support HeLpline responded to over15,000 enquiries from people affected by stroke, helping them to find Infomiation and feel reassured. Our Stroke Support Coordinators completed more than 12,500 home Visits. They also had almost 300 vldeo calls wlth people affected by stroke. provldlng almost 200 hours of supporL 16 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

OveralL we reached more than 44.000 people through our Local support services across the UK- a 5% Increase from last year. We Invested £3.7 miLLion in pioneering stroke research. We funded 14 research awards at13 research institutions around the UK. Over gave their tlme to help us and the stroke community. 1,400 voLunteers Thanks to the generoslty of our supporters. we raised £28.9 million (compared to £28.4 mllllon In 2022-23). strok&or4uk

Funding our work How we raised our Money Donatlons and legacies: £28.9 milllon CommI5sioned Stroke Recovery and,. CornnnicationS Support Servlce& £11.1 milllon Other income (includlng tradlng, Investments, grants and the Stroke Group Network); £2.] million Total income: £42.1 mlllion How we spent our money Stroke Support Servic. £20.6 million Communlty development and volunteerlng: 4 mlllion Research grants and awards £3.7 million System5 influencing and engagement Wtth stroke: £8.5 milLion Raising funds: £8.6 mllllon Total expenditure: £43A mlulon Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

For every £1 we receive we spend 80p on our charitable work. 12022-23: 79pl strok&or4uk 19

We supported thousands of people affected by stroke For so many people. Surviving a stroke Is Just the beginning. Recovery is a long, hard slog of repetitlve therapy. and progress can be palnfully slow. Stroke survivors have to relearn things most of u5 take for granted, like .how to walk, Speak or even eat. It can take years and affect5 every a5pert '.of the lives of the survivor and their farnily. However, with strength, 'determination and the right SUPPOrt. recovery is posslble. Looklng ahead to 202&2& C()ntir to fixu5 reaching and valw to tt of people had a stroke. ThEs indudes adaptlng ot seNlces w0r4 wlth care lxofessiaIS stand (Xx support offers and help CoreCt people tr Ltrel pport ty need Ily need IL IrrfLuence to acce&s to Ufe after StrL*e 5ervlces across the UK and Increase fiJKII for wr stroke 5port s&vSces so that we See Pr10n of per50nallsed 4VOrt In loca

We want all stroke survivors to get the phy51cal and errotionaL 1P they need - as soon a5 possible after tr]r stroke. Trot's where our speciaust 5ervlces corne In. We're here for stroke survivors and ihelr Loved ones, from the MOnI they enter Ihe new and frightenlng p05t-stroke world. We support them every step of the way as they find thelr suength and thelr way back to Lite. Despfte the challenglng health servlce envlronmenL we provlded vltal support almost 80,000 tlmes to people In need- more than In 2022-23. Local support serv1S Supporting people as soon as possibLe after thelr stroke OvefalL we reached rmre than 44,000 people through r local support services across Ihe UK- a Syo increase from Last yeaf. These sefvices include stroke recovery services. emononat support cwnselts'ng services. post-stroke rewews and cornrwnicaiion .suppori service5. We aim to provide people affected by stroke WiEh the righi support ar the righi time, in a way that works for them. To do this. it's Importarit trot we make Sure our Initial concact with people is as usefulas possible. We've been working wrth our local Stroke Support Coordinaiors and our Stroke Support Hetse 10 make this happen. Psychological and corrrnunication .suppon were a key focus in the past year. Our achievements inctsjde a coliaboraoon with Mind (see page 361. as weLI a5 the launch of our new communication suppon pack for people tsving with comryKmlcatlon dttflculties after a SEroke (see page 28), We also focused on those affected by chldhood stroke, launchng cLtr new peer support seNce for parents caLLed Pareni-io-Parent VolueeT CaLIs Isee page 33). We know that to reach everyone affected by stroke we need strong retationshp5 with heaLthcare professionals. We've been working to develop our appfoach by engaglng more cLosely wlth healttKare professionaEs and stroke survivors In IM)spiiaL fooJslng on increasing av4areness of our servlces arid the value our Pport brlr>gs. We've seen an enc(yJraglng18Vo increase In the reach of our 5UPPOrt to people who've entLY had a Stroke - Ehat's 25,176 people, up from 21,275 in the previws year. Unlversal support We saw an 18¥o Increase In provlding untrversal 5UPPOn, whith inclLKle5 CNLdhood Stroke SLpporL Inforrnaiion and resources. stroke support groups, our Stroke Support Heipbne, Weekly Vobjnteer CalLs and Onllne Actlvitie5. In 2023-24, stroke News had more than 48,000 subscrlbers. A vital source of advice and supporL our magazine reaches stroke svrvlvors. carers, volunteer5 and other people connerted to stroke. 5trok&orguk

Northern Ireland .,As the only stradedICated charity In , Northern IrelarKI. we Invested In addltlonaL er¥Jagemert worK In collaboratlon wlth the NHS, to Irryjrove StrCe care and access to stroke supptyt servke% In 2023, Ulster i Garden Viuages Ltd generwsly donated £20.000 to sjppart our engagement jINs donatlon ha5 autrwed u5 to advance . Lyjr engagerrmt th across TtrIpLe , area5, Indudlng the aIttare Syste rur i eryjagemont arld voLunteerln Because stroke survlvor5 In rural area5 eyPerIen slgnificant barrlers to accesslng servlce5, we focLtsed on 9fLvilrwJ Jr network to reach more pewe. Over a i., perlod af slx rronths, (w Erbgagernert Team ? attXIed several rufal events and shows across NorthEm Ireland. We spoke to over 1.000 people to find 0 what rrwttÈrs to t wlth regards to strth carE servlces. To Incr&ise awareness of Ix charlty across ' the natioTh ow Engageffxnt Team were ) InstrLKfMtsi In Increaslr¥J engagernt wlth healtfKare professlonals and the pulL A key suctess was the estabUsPYrnt of Stroke Assocktlon InfDrfrhitSon area5 In every aarte , stroke unkL auoss au fve Health and Social ., Care Trusts. Tly cortaln Stroke Assodation 1&7ftets and Infurnon about local wpptyt '. and UK. 5ervlces., In ts year al1, ¥Ye focus on tt5ting a approath In Nortlm Ireland to further professlMa15 and maXImtr ¢xK In.hospltsl marketlrffj.

.1 really feel Ilke we are maklng a dlfference In the Lives of those who've had a stroke and their famlly member5 whlch is extremely rewardlng., Clara, Stroke Assoclatlon Engagernenf Officer, Northem Ire13nd stf strok&or4uk

Face-to-face, phone and online support We've continued to connect Wtth people and provide a range of support face~to-face, overthe phone and online. Our Stroke Support Coordinators provide stroke Survivors. Carers and famits'es with personalised support throughout the stroke recovery journey. Last year, we: Supported over 26.000 new people through our coordinator-led servlces. Handled more than 80,000 calls, gNing over 900 days of telephone support. and had aLmost 300 vldeo calls, providing aLmost 200 hours of support. Provided more than 12,500 horne vlsit 24 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Stroke Support Helpllne Our Stroke pport Helptine completed more than 15.000 enqulries. Tr only UK helpune fDr aLL stroke supdlvors arbd tr1r loved ones. we answer questions about anything people want to thow about stroke. When a stroke happens, the Stroke .. Support HeLptine team Listens to and answer5 people's immediaie questions. helping ' 10 catrn their fear5. One caLLio trE stroke Support Helptine atso opens a world of wider supporL li cofjnects Survivors dnd their famlues to other stroke suppon services, such as Siroke Support Coordinators, peer-to-peer and group support. as well as Local comrwnrty seNices that rnight be helpftJL throughout the recovery journey. We expect 10 see enquiries grow over the next year as we carry awareness raising carnpaigns. StrDke surwvors tike Fran tell us they feeL uptifted and sUPPOrted after speaklng to our .. Srroke Support Helpline tearrL Ffan said, I'm so grateful to the Stroke A5(latiOn for their 5upporL I had so fnany questions after Leavlng hospitaL I needed someone to talk to, sorneone who would understsnd - and that's wn the Stroke Associauon came In. 'It's amazing tr¥)w one person saylng the rlght thlng can nb3ke you feel so much better. I InitialLy spoke to someone on the Stroke Association's Helpline. They made rne feel so calm and reassured. I remember leaving the caLI feeLlng a boost of support, guidance and love.11 was tt Uft I desperaiely neeijed, strok&or4uk

Stroke Associatlon Connect Stroke Association Connect aims to connect Stroke surrfivors with folLow-up and long- term support after leaving hosprtaL Over the past year, the service has contlnued to grow, reaching more stroke 5urvivor5 au055 more areas of the UK. Now, 174 NHS teanLS are reglsleied with rhe sepiice, and we've seen an incredible 50VJ rise In referraLs. As a result. we've been able to build connections with hospitats, allowng servlce to keep growing. In 2023-24, Stroke Associadon Connect supported more tron 4.800 stroke survlvors 4vith follow-up and long-term 5UPPOrt after leaviThJ hospitaL Our Ontine Community Our Online Commtsnity connect5 thousands of people who understand stroke fir5t- hand. The platform Is available day and nlght and is a place where people come together 10 talk about things important to the ask questions and leam how ottrs are managing thelr recovery after stroke. Nearly 80V¢ of people felt that our Onune Cornrwnlty provlded thern with the rlght supporL Ty-third5 of the people asked told us that belng part of the onts'ne communlty gave them nK)re control with their recovery. In 202M4' 11,913 people signed up to joln Onune convThty brln91ry the totaltD 26.959. Our Onllne Actlvitles Our staff and volunteers host a wlde range of onllne activities for anyone affected by stroke In the UL These artivjties are a great way to meet new people. feel more supponed and Increase confldence. PeopLe can learn rrre about the effects of stroke, Join a stroke exercise group, take part in social quizzes and more. There's also a dedlcated group for people aged 1845. We contfjn to expand our range of 5esslon5 Tn response TO the feedback we get and have recently deveLoped a series of monthly infornHiion dnd peer sUPPOrt sessions wilh a talk from a researcher or clinician. We wlll al50 run regular peer suppon sessions for parents of chldren who've had a Stroke during chlldhood. ,In 2023-24. 2T3 people signed up to our online activltie 90% said tlw were coping better with thelr Stroke and understandlng more about the changes that stroke bring IO0% sald trY cajld store trir expeflence of stroke wlth people wtrK) understan Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Emilia and Guy's story Stroke survlvor Emllia Parrott and her husband, Guy, both volunteer for our Weekly Volunteer CaLI5 service. l enjoy sharing rny experience5 with recovery and hope it helps other 5urvivors,' says Emllia, who had a stroke in 2015. '1 remember how alone I felt when I had my stroke. It felt Uke no one understood what I was going thr(KMJh. When l asked questions about my stroke and recovery, no one would, give me a Straight answer. I don't want anybody else to experience thaL' GLty also uses his Lived experience to support survivors and carers as they face the challenging recovery process. Witnessing Emitia's experience with a major stroke and her subsequent recovery joumey Inspired hlm to get Involved. After a stroke, people can feel down, dispirited or confused. It's important to give them a sense of hope and certainty,, he says. Weekly Volunteer CaLLs - Here For You LaLmctr£d in ApriL 2020. Here For You {PIFYI Is our WeekLy Volunteer Calls service. It 'connetts siroke survivor5 and their carers to volunteers who have Lived experience of stroke, offering them peer support and social connection through weekly telephone caLls. A key focus In 202>24 was recruitlng more HPI volunteers to meet dernand. In gust 2023. we taunched a hj.ghly successful volunteer reouitTTEnt drive that Involved a targeted marketing emall to over 11,000 Stroke Association support benefi'ciaries," social rnedia posts on X. Facebook and Linkedln,. an emall to our existing Stroke Group Network volunteers, and an arttcle In the Stroke Support Newsletter. As a result, slnce September 2023 we have been able to reduce viait times. now matctrmng new beneficlaries within four weeks of their application. 5trok&orguk

Supportforpeople Ilvlng wlth communicatlon dlfficulties We taunched a new communication 5UPPOrt pack for people Ilving wlth communication difficultles after a stroke. We designed and created the pack aLongside people affected by Stroke. More than 10,000 packs have been ordered by people with aphasla, their famiLy. friends and trEaLthcare professionats. One of the aphasia-friendLy guides within the pack, caLled 'Your communicat5on after a 5troke.' was shortllsted for the Brlt15h MedicaL Associatlon's Patient Information Awards 2023. More than 83Yo of stroke survfvors 5ald rhat our communlcatlon stspport pack had a positive lryact on thern, while 82Vo found tr£ inwes flpfuL when leading and understanding Irrformation. Almost 90% of healihcare professional5 said that the pack had a positlve Impact and more than 97V• said rw have reconynended the pack to othe. Accessible communlcations We created an acce55ibLe Image Ilbrary wlth over 60 people wlth aphasia to help us create aphasla-frlendLy communications. We al50 developed aphasia-frlendly template5 to use with the Ima9es to create bespoke resources. Other charities and organisations can request these images to create aphasla-friendLy m3teriaLs. As well as the comrrnmlcation support Pack (see above), we al50 developed a cOmnIcatIon picture book to support people with communication dtFficuLties In hospitaL Thi5 wa5 promoted to hosprtaL heaLth and social care professlon3Ls, with around 5.000 communication picture books senL Therapists told us that they helped reduce paEients' frustr31ion. They also said thai the book aided cornmunicaiion between patients and ISPItaL staff. One rapISt sald One of our patlents Is so Intentsonal when he u5e5 charL He feels sat15fied and less frustrated that Is abte to initsate comfrwiicatlon using tt book., Our May 2023 fundralsirKJ appeal mailfftg lnClLed an apha5.fr}endlY sun¥nary. The response rate increased by over 2•/0 for those who reielved the surrY, compared to ttK>se dldn'L This is an excellent result and we'll be planning how we can rroke aphasi&friendly wmmaries part of wr stsndard prattice. 28 Stroke Assodatlon l Annual Report Year ended 31 Mardi 2024

strok&orguk

Llstenlng and respondlng to feedback ,We iontinued to monitor the quauty of support we provlde so we can develop our servlces. One of the ways we do this15 throtsgh Ask and Act. which we set up to tssten to and leam from the stroke survivors and carer5 who we'¥ 5UPPOrted. We worked with stroke suNivors to develop a range of accessible ways ro ask lor feedback - Includirsg survey5 and InteNiew5. uslng large prlnt and dltaL forrnats. 2023.24, we reCed over 6.000 responses 10 our SUeyS and had comprehen5Ne and useful teedback frorn many Ask and Act caus. TrÈ Infom13tlon has been overwhelmlngly posltfve and encouraglng. .Trus year, v£'lL continue to work on makir4J sure teams across Stroke A550ciation can 'act' an what we hear, and that we're Investing time In contirwously learnin9 and Improving. We p(k>Ushed cur Patlent Safety Inddent Response Poucy and Man, a new requlrement from the NHS. The and plan detall how we respond to and learn frorn safety incidents thai may Involve stroke survivor5, Iheir family Ibers an¢Y carer5, our volunteers and staff. Th15 alLow5 US to contirMJalLy leam arfrd Improve how we WD 30 stroke A550datloTr l AnnuaL Report Year erKled 31 March 2024

'My mother can no Longer write and has cognitive probLems caused by her stroke. The fact that this questionnaire is in large print and has facial symbols is briLLiant, as I couLd sit and go through it with my mother feeling invoLved in the process., Ask and Act survey respondent strok&or4uk

'We didn't know anyone else whose child had a stroke. It was quite scary and unknown, and we didn't know at aLI what getting back to school would look Like. It was heLpfuL speaking to another parent in a similar situation who was further down the 'ne and able to give us support. They understood what we were going through and were able to give practicaL support as weLL' Parerrt who was supported by the ChiLdhood Stroke Support service Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Supporting parents of children affected by stroke Our service for parents and carers of chiLdren affected by stroke is now in its second year. We provide practical support, as well as information and guidance on topics including education, deveLopment, emotionaL wellbeing and more. In 202>24: We responded tv over100 enwirFe5 and provlded ongolr¥J wrtto ' 54 famllles and carers of children have had a strokL , Alongslde NHS professionals, we've reviewed arKI updated all our core health (Dntent I for childhood stroke and perinaial stroke. We started offerlng a parent-tparent VoluntEer CaLL5 service. Parent5 th tsved experience are trained to suppon otror parent5 In coplng with the impart of a child's stroke. Parents said that talking with another parent made them feel les5 atone, more knowLedgeabLe and more confident to cop We're creating more opportsJnrties for research to be carried out Into chlldhood stroke, to help address cunent gaps in research15ee pa9e 66). Parents told us they'd like to share their storie5 to glve trK)pe to other parents. These stor5 are now available to view and read, as we have films and print stories on our webslte and in Stroke New5. strok&or4uk

Funding to improve community-based stroke care . NHS England's Stroke Quallty in RehablLitation (SQulRe) programme seeks to improve the quality of communtty- based stroke care. In 2023-24, we secured12 SQulRe fvnding awards for new or existing stroke support servlces across the UK The funding allowed us to offer stroke support servlces and to Innovate at a local LeveL ensuring Ithat our services added the most value where needed. l More than 90% 01 str<>ke SUFvivors WI responded to Ask and Act about I rheir SQulRe funded seryice (640 people) agreed with the fouowln .1 can cope better with the Impact of my stroke., '1 am mre able to access other supporL' '1 am more able to look after my health., '1 am coming to terrns with the 5troke,' tunding. however, %va5 only for 12 rnDnth& Th15 led to challenges wlth staff recrultment. bull(bng reiatfronship5 and estabushing relerral patrfyvay& and the th"Llty to secure funding for ongolng prov151on of the estabU5hed services. Stroke AssoclatlDn | AnnL1 Report. Year ended 31 March 2024

Our projects IncludL' Norfolk arHI Waveney Stroke Recovery Servlce We re(eJved almcst £300.000 to pllot an apprpach ollertng 1verSaL access to Initial telephone swjpwt, connetting a5 needed lo a local stroke Recovery Servke h Norfolk and Wayeney. Tre local StrThke Support Coordlnators work clcsely th"nical partner5 '.10 support peopl4 parncularty tfrose with rnfe coffptÈx needs, and a local engagernÉnt offKer links the CormIty to rnaxh the cGnnec1kn5 avallable at place tL ,Ufe After Stroke Servlces In Yort5hlre We were a¥Yarded É220,000 tD Prt kife afterstroke seniices In three 41reas ol Yorkshi These prr)rr#xe wel1, provlde stroke e(kn(lon and Pre¢eIDn 1nftjf1na0ft, and support strY>ke surV5VS to integrate In (heir local comr1lty. Trus pro tested differert ways of workiTV4,11 led to.. A strokg Recovery SeThice lft Bradf¢¥ A new strokg Recovery SeNice providing SIx-rr¥nth reiviews in l>Jncaster. expanded stroke RecthEry SeTh5ce aftd slx-month revie$ In HarrOga , 'One pu50n who used seryice salft Vhe £oardlnator] was an ey£elLent c0rrfflunDr . and made feeL at eax We d19d wtys of felaxlry when anxlw5 and ry PTDblwT wrth tsrednes& Welshare an] Irbtere5t kn rrKtslc and bt was good to tslk about that. He's ' Irwired me to get on wrth Lrfe., strok&orguk

Emotional and psychological support Supporting people who are bereaved: online chat service Through disCU5sions of treir lyled experience, we gaiTth Insight and under5tandlng of day-tu-day Issues facing a diverse range of people. The key themes from our dlsajssions we Slnce Aprll 2023. we've been offering the Grlefclut service on our website. It's a free, confidential onune chat service wfrEre aryone aff ected by stroke can cor>necL directLy with a quaufr'ed bereavement fDiif15Èllor. In 2023-24, we sUPPOrted more than 720 people through GriefChaL ty providing this seNice, we're offering early intervention for people faong lengthy waiting tssts for bereavement 5UPPOrt, whlch can have detrimental effect5 on an Individual'5 We Identitled potential solutions to swport personal tsfe. work tsfe. and own self-c3rL stroke survlvors SULMJgtsng with their ntal health, Trse Include a wellbeing Transforming mental health for recovery grcrtp for stroke survivors. on&to- one talkirrfj theraples and a practityoner-led people affected by stroke In Wales faLItated grDUP for loved ones of stroke 5urvivor& , Around ttree-quarters of stroke survivors i experience at Least one frEntal Ialth PfobLem. InClIng depression, anxiety, mood Swings, panic attacks and suicidaL. thoughts. Yet there is lrtle SpecI3sed support avallable. PeopLe do not expect the negative IcL on t11r mental alth after experlencing 3 stroke. Stroke survivors feel alone arKI uncertain in Iheir recovery. Stroke affects people's Identty, arKI they can stmggle to adapL We launched 'Rebuilding Minds After Stroke, report at ts Senedd In January 2024. WIre we made tISe ftve recommendatson5: The Siroke Association and Mind Cymru Should continue to rk together to explore and delj'ver these idea5. People worlu'ng in stroke 5trK)uld recognise the impaa the conditlon can tkive on people's mentaL tralth arKI delNer services accordlngLy. We [amttd our 'RebulLdlng Mirids After Stroke, project wrth mental health charity Mlnd Cymru. 10 undefSiand the experiences of people struggng with tt*ir mental health after a stroke. We spoke with more than100 people aflerted by Stroke acmss Wales. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

'I'd go to a dark place every night wlEn l tried to sleeB specfficalLy won erlng If It would happen agaln. I got to the pL3ce where I couldn't sleep at all at nighL I wa5 exhausted., Stroke 5urvlvor leatwed i 'R£trILdIng Minds After Suoke. 'It was when19Ot home that 1 got thinking and It wa5 the things that got me, Uke not being able to butter rryy bread - I was comparing myself to a toddler., Stroke survbvor featured In leILdIng Minds After Stroke, 'Your personality changes and your family have to cope with that It could realL trELp your family to talk to ot er famities who've been throLMJh IL. Stroke Survivor. Corflesn Workshop, featvred in lIeILdIng Minds After Stroke, Plans io transform stroke serrfices In WaLes should include a focus on rrEntaL health supporL Pubbc bodies should ralse awarene55 of stroke, particularLy among marginallsed comrrunltse5 and areas ot soclal deprivatiorL nexi Welsh Govemment's menLIl alth strategy need5 10 include reference to how people with specrflc phy5kal heatth conditlons can access mental heatth support tailored to their need& 'IVs around the time servlces Wtthdraw that the reabty hlts .(It can be 6 to12 weeks or 6 to .12 months). People might have been holding onto hope and goal5 up 10 this polnL then an adjUStt needs to happen.. ainical pSl091 feattffed In;, 'Re1lIding Mtnds After Stroke, strok&or4uk

.. Emotlonal SUppt 5ervke In Corrwall Stroke TalLored Emotlonal and Psychologlcal Support (5TEPS1; Emotlonal support In Narthem IreLind TtK>ts5ands of people in Cornwall struggle vilth Impact 5uoke has on their mental health and weLLbeing. We worked cI05eLy WiEh the NHS and woke sUNV Eo develop a service which rneets tt Ineeds of the Local CoMffnty. Thank5 . to a generou5 gary V recelved from the Elvryn Thomas Memorial Fund, we have a five-year prolect called Cornwau EmottanaL SLJPPOrt Servlce, wthich wltL wn untsL March 2027. The 5eNSce offers one- . to-one counsellltTrg and L3iIofed stroke information. PeopLe afferted ty stroke (an , dis55 issue5 swh as Loss and acfjiu5tmenc relationshlps, understanding guilt and arlgef. as welL as Ixjllding conftdence and setfsteem. Over 90Yo of Stroke 5uNrvor5 in Nortr Ireland say t1r emotional and cogniuve needs were not met after tY had been dlstharged from 5PaL tkiLf say tY are often or always depresse41 STEPS offer5 Northern Ireland's only one-io- one 5troke-spenfic COSellIng seNice. FurKled by the National Lottery CoryThinty FwKI frum ALMJU5t 2021 to August 2024, It provide5 emotional yjpport io Stroke survivors. carers and families as ttry adjust life after stroke. Tr evidence of the POsnp4e impact this intervention ha5 had Is helping us io build new fundtng PfoposaLs exrend th's seryice Iiito the future. In 2023-24. the second year of tl CornwalL EtsOnal Suppon Servlce. we received 268 referrals - up from168 I referraLs In 2022-23. The nurnber of people referred for counselb'ng from service In 2023-24 was 238 lup trom 230 In 2022-23 and 26 In 2021-22), At the stao 57Yo reported 'rnoderate or severe, Ttr45 was the feedback from one stroke levels of anxiety. By tr end crf therapy, survivor. 'My (n$eLlar came to my trKsm¢ thai had reduced iu 7Yts. For depresslon, which made a real difference to rrE. I felt It was 46Yu at the stan and reduced 10 ,rnore corrrfortable to explore thing5 that 6%. 78Y& of people showed 51gnifi.cant were Imponant to me.. Irrprovernent In thelr psychologic3L weubelry. Everyone WIKJ completed our 'outrome , measure, survey began tre service with rnOdera to rnlLd' levels of anxlety and depresslon, Upon completlon of tt servke, 75Yo reported 'rnI to no, anxiety. Peer wpport In Northem Ireland We launctrd a series of peer 5UPPOrt events for Stroke suplivors and carers. first of these rook place Jointly wlth trE charity Nothm Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke in November 2023. Around 60 people Joined us to hear stroke sup4No(5 share trlr story. EJ"sten to talks about sdf- Care. and take part In emotional laLth and wellbeing Interactive workshops. 38 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

p. '1 had such a good relationship with my counsellor. I was able to talk about the stroke and the way it affected me, and l am now able to deaL with my emotions. I was able to get past the 'why me?1 and accept the changes to my life and move forward. It's so good for people to get counselling. I would have been lost without it., A stroke survlvor gpported ty the 5tEP5 counsewng servl strok&or4uk 39

We worked with Leaders and stakeholders to make stroke a higher priority Stroke is one of the UK'S leadlng causes of death and dlsabiLIty. We know that when we Invest Sn preventing strokes and providlng good treatmentand rehabilltation, not only do we save lives and improve quality of life, but we also save money- for the healthcare system, for .famlLles and for the wider economy. Yet stroke preventlon, tre3tment and care continue to vary greatly between reglon5 and natson5, creating a p05tcode .lottery that deepens health Inequats'ties. Successp govemrnents have not . addressed the scale of the proble leawng stroke care underfunded, understaffed 43nd under-priorits'sed In poucies and pLan& pressures, Induding staff strikes, workforce shortages and tow rTK)rale. ISDNS were particuLarly 31 r15k from restrwturing and budget pressures. ISDNS are essentiaL for transforrnirKJ stroke seNices across tF* COLntry. LeadiThJ up to a r[lanticIpated General ELection, we stepped up our influencing work and built re13tionshlps with poiittcians In all lour nations of the UL This was essentiaL to make stroke a prionly for the new UK govemmenL At the Stroke Ass(Kiats'on, are committed to (angIng thts. In 2023-24, we contsnued our efforts to make stroke a prlority in tEalthcare POLI across the UK Pushing for lryrovement in the Standards and quats.ty of care offered. We've worked hard to engage v4th regional and Ioc3L tEaLth sysierr4 and to use our influence and expertise to shape national health poLEcies. wel been worklng agaln5t a chaLLenglng backdrop of heaLth and care system 40 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

stfQ& I Sl- 'I'm commltted to 51roke lrnprovlngaltlry treatmerts for everyone.- ymrwym 'I'm Cornmed to stroke ImprovingqlZLV treatments for eve Lookkng th)d to 202&25 we wllL' Contlfw inftuendng wDd( to ensure the Implementatlon of rthust stroke pollcies across alL fwr UK nations and to ralse proflle of stroke wlth key declsloTrmakers. We wluachleve th15 ty. We contrll)uted to a fange ol .con5ultation5. such as ambulance response Ilmes and sTk[g poljcies, to , help strengthen poLlcy across the U As aLways, we involved people wtth tsved experience of 5trDke In our campaigning work - b'5tening responding and ' supporting trm to Sha tt1r experiences to Inlluence change. Ildlry4 relatlonshFps with the new UK Govemrnent and InnuuKing progre55 on (XK manifesto call& Continuln9 to Strengttr relation5hip5 wlth NHS system decislon makers to cataly5e actlon that dri improvernent in stroke. Irrpr(Nlng the dencE base for cost effectlvtness of stroke Interventlons and Inltuenciry for adoption of these acrDSS the UIL We've pushed to improve Standards and quaUty of care offered to people affected by stroke acfOSS all fcMJr UK nab'ons. As , part of our connecting afid convenlng . role, vie've held eNEnts 10 tElp health professsonals share good practlce and collaborate. strok&or4uk

Influencing stroke policy and systems Working wlth polttlcal decision maker5 Highughting stroke In the Government's Major Conditions Strategy In the next10 yEars, the nurr&)er of stroke Survivors is set to increase by , 60Yo. Th15 will cost the G0vem[ nt £75 "Illon - nearly half curyent NHS budgeL Ahead of 2024 General Election, we deveLoped our Stroke Manifesto, caltsng on the UK Govemment . 10 make stroke tr£ priority ii needs to be We were encouraged that Stroke was 5ingLed out Itogether with heart dlsease) as one of slx condits.ons proff led in itr ' Conser4ative Government's draft Major . Conditions Strategy aiming to Inprove prevendon, diagno%s. trEatrnent and care for Major heaiih conse kwiting tt . strategy and provided evidence alongside 01tr chariues and health OT9an15ation We were d15appointed not 10 see the . strategy pubUshed befofe General , Election was announced. Adding a 5tToke lead arKI team In Departmeni ot HeaLth and Social Care. Invests'ng in stroke preveniion ia save lives and reikne disabibty. Increasing access to treatrrnt and supporL We responijed to several otr consultations to arylify (xjr ssageS and Inftvence nationaL potscy. includi We attended party ConfenceS around UK, inclvding Labour, Conservative, Plaid , Cjrynru, Scottish National Party, DercratIC Unionist Party and Sinn Féin. We rnade , important new coniacts wlEh polEtJ'clans and poticyrnaker5 to keep Stroke at tt torefront of their minds.. A Lavr pob'cy forum ionsuLtation on 'Prevenoon. early inteNemlon arrfl better public services for aLL' A con5uLtatlon on introducing rninlmum Levels of service In the ambulance seniice. Irrlproving ambulartrce response tlrfs Is particularly unportant for people wFM)'ve had a stroke, as getting treatrnent as soon as POS5ible gives people the best ctrklnce of 5uNival and re(¢)very. The Conseryats've Govemmenfs proposed legislation to make it illegal to Se tobacco products to anyone tjom on or after I january 2009. Smoking doubles your rk of death f rom stroke. We also SUPPOrted people affected by stroke to tell their MP5 why stroke strK)uld . be a prlorty and ask thern to take action on . our Saving Brains and Ttyiving After Stroke campab9n& We also supported people to meet wlth their MP In thelr con5tmJencies . or at parliamentary events. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

PREMS: MakirKJ sure stroke survlvor5' voice5 are heard Some areas h"ghtsghted for improvernent were: Decision-making arnd transfers of care (when a patient moves Irom one Ca 5ettiThJ to another), Acce55 to psychoLoglcal 5UPW)rt More access to 'lsfe after siroke, SupTL Inctuding peer SLlPPOrt and 5UPPOrt to rewm to work. In the 2022-23 year, we worked wSth NHS England 10 run the fir5tver Patient Reported Experience Mea5ure5 {PREM5) , gJrvey In Eng13n& Th15 groundbreakifYJ . projea exptores and quantihes stroke rvlvor5' expenences of ireaunent -. and care, airning to make sure stroke ' survlvors, voices are at tre cenue of Improvements to tr quab'ty of services. This higN6ghts a need to raise awareness of our existing seriCeS, such as the Stroke Support Helpbn¢ stroke support group5 and onllne peer support services. The flr5t rE5Lrtt5 were pL)tssd Sn ' September 2023. NHS England has committed to ting stroke PREMS into It5 national patient SY progratrffle. Following our awareness and Influencing work, Scotland and Wales have shown Interest and corrfflitment to stroke PFIEMS. Northern IreLand has corrfflitted explo njnning PREM5 In 2025. Key fi'ndlNJs IncLle(* . 91Vo of responden15 felt thai they were .treated with dnity and respecL both In hosPltaL and In the community Ibased cjn 6.349 people who answered the .. esOnI. This IS testament to the hard %vork of the highLy sklued speclab'sts dekn'vering seThvices. Our strength as a lobbying charity was recognised when we were named the19th most mentloned charity by MPS on X (formerly Twitter) In a Polimonitor report. This put us ahead of big names, including Oxfam and RNIB. strok&or4uk 43

stf>fvl str>te soclatlon l Annual Report Yp

In England We contind to ralse toncems ab1 Lack of protected funthfvj for the 20 ISDNS. uncertalnty abcAJt fun1n9 ha5 led to kn55 of momenDJry PON morale and staff leavlng. Most region5 have now confirnied ongw fundi1 for the 2024-25 flnandal year. Hov4er, we're stkll concemèd ab(xrt SLtaInablI6ty ut ISDNS and wllL conti ts ask questions and push lor ThK)re Wtrrm securlty for tt*se vltsLrW40rk& staff nationally, Irrprove thILs . and wellbelng. Atterthe sv(ress ol o two ISDN rEsideDtial event5 last year, we two Trpre In October 2023 and Marth 2024. We also held regiunal stroke | leadefshlp events In Swth E3sL East , of Engd and the Midlands, ljke trHS glve u5 an Importart OPPOfllmlty to share good practic¢ InwrcfvE OU[corS and strwger relatlonsNps. They a&0 pmide peer suppor¢ reftectim and a ctkince for senlor Stroke nIcIanS to. recharge and bulld thelf SIllenC 4S

In ScotLind We welcomed the Scottlsh Government'5 revisèd Stroke Improvemerst Flan in June 2023. IrincLLAled several of our pollcy cau& For exarnple, it named , psyctrdogical gjpport for Stroke 5uNivor5 a5 3 nats'onal priority. We're n¥ 5eeirKJ alth boards developlThJ plan5 fof psychological 9JppofL as WLl as six- month review5 for everyme has a stroke. The Suoke Improverrni Plan also formaU5ed a coryThitment that each of the14 geographic alth t)oards thal deliver NHS ser4ices auoss Scotland shDLrtd designate a narrEd person to accountable for dellvering and improvlng stroke serdces In thelf area. . Vthle trE plan was vague on spending cornmitments, we can see dear eviderKe èvs stronger than It have been INtEtrKXJt (xr caryjaignlry and infLuenang. We conlnue to run the Cross.Party Grwj on Stroke, as one of mosi focused and artioTroriented groups In PartiaffL Our rneetings over the year Inctuded makin9 case for psyctrKAoglcaL care for stroke vlvors, reviewirKJ the Governrnents new Stroke Improvement Plan and call of increased irwestrnent in woke awarenes5 caripaign Our M3y 2023 reception In Scottish Partsament was the largest gaL*ETing of stroke corrwrrfjnlty In ScotEand over year, with the Mlnlster for Fljbllc HeaLth attendiThJ to reaffirm commitr to deliverlng a naonaL ttWo1)e(torny serrflc

In Wales We Contired tt> be a kEy rnembei of Wales, Stroke Imp{errnLat4on Networt providing both stroke data atid the voice of ilved experlence. The Network was set LP In Aprll 2023 to er5ee work to develop compre1SIVe. highly 5peciaLlsed seniice5 w people with'n first 72 tr5 of experiencing a stroke. Te early day5 are critical when it to havlng ttE best P055ible recovery. To 5UPPOrt tlws worK we r@establt5hed the Cross-Party Group on Stroke in Senedd In October 2023 to ImFKove stroke OutcorS and experience ol people affected by stroke in Wale5. As welL as carrpaigniry al inlluencing. the group lac1te5 discusslon between Senedd rymber5, rydical professionals, tharities and people affected by stroke. We atso restarted the Cornrrlnity of Stroke Best PrKtice in Wales, a fortm which bring5 IDgetPEr profe55ionals working In stroke to share learning, In Aprll and May 2023. FbUC HeaLth Wales ran the *ir5t-ever billnguaL Act FAST/Carn NESA carypaign raising av4arerkess ol sl9ns of stroke. We contlnue to wsh for ths to nJn biennialLy. We atso Inlluenced health boards and IOGII aUthOrleS to conbnue inveSlJng In Ufe afr&r stroke servlces In Wale& Pecple affected by stroke én G7rrnarttEnshI supported o svccessm caffpaw ro taIn local auttM)rity fundlng. 5trok&org.uk 47

Iln Northern Ireland We focused on building relationstr4'p5 wlth pots'ticians, strengtrEnlng and developi Ihese flrtr when the Northern Ireland ' Executive retLrned in early 2024, We attended main potstical party conferences In Nortffl Ireland for the frr5t tsrne wtrEre we Spoke to MP5, Members of the Legislative Assembly , {MLA5) and counclLlors abl Cmf new Thrlving After stroke campaign (see page 58). We got more than 100 signature5 trom key decision makers and the Stroke community 5UPPOrting our pobcy call whch InClL$È access to psy(hology and ,,mental health services for au stroke Surviv and ensuring trE ts'fe after stroke workforce 15 InClled In fvtsxe Stroke workforce plans. We c¢intin¢Jed 10 work with the DepartTneni ol Health, urglng them to progress the cornmitments in Stroke Actlon Plan, inctudlng expanding the thrombectomy seryice arKI Irry)r(wing iehabiUtati¢)n and lontefm supporL Ovef next12 monchs. VR wllL make sure thÈ volces of peopte with Uved experience I1P shape plans to tran5forn h05pitsL stTDke Services h Nortlm Ifetand. We supported the NorthErn Ireland Stroke Network with It.f 'lmpfOWry Quabty in Stroke, day. We gave a presentaiion on the need to introduce PREMS In Northem Ireland wtth objective of running a PREMS survey in 2025. Thls bLHtt on the work we've been doing with each stroke unit In Northefn Ireland to explore ho we could vffjrk better togettEr, It's led to us irrtroducifmj stroke information area5 in every acute styoke ward h Notthem Ireland. We continue to rLm the ALI-Party Grwp Dn stroke which brings tDgetFw MLAS, cr¥il seTvarits and merrthrs of tr stroke comrrunity to dlscuss the maln 155ues in stroke ca. Meetln9s Ihe year focused on exp3ndiTr3 access 10 thrombeciomy, progre55iThJ Stroke transfornion and Irryroviry Ufe after stroke supporL We tr£Ld a partiarnentary reception .'3t StormonL bringing togetter over 150 stroke survivors, carer% Stroke professionals and MLAs to hear from the Health Permanent Secretary about progress wlth the stroke knon PLVL Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

wtth '1 thought the event was exceLlent. The speakers were informative and it was good to find out where Northern IreL3nd is in the process of reshaping stroke services. Jeremy, who gave an account of his patient journey, was powerful and emotive., Partiaff*ntsry reception attendee strok&or4uk 49

Thrombectomy Thrombectomy is a game-changing treatment for stroke and one of our medium-term priorities. For every minute a stroke is left untreated, 1.9 miLllon brain ceLts die. A thrombertory can not onLy save Ilves, but it can signilicantLy reduce the chance of disabiLities Ilke paraLysis, bts'ndness and aphasia. It's also highly cost-effectlve and could save ttr health and care system £73 million annually. However, nearly two-thirds of patients who could benefit from the procedure miss out. The UK lags behind many other countries, and treatment rates vary hugely between London and regions such as the East and North East of EngLand. As a result, we've been continuing with our extensive campaigning and poucy work to drive change. Just 3.9Vo of stroke patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were given the treatnt In 2023-24. In ScotLand, the figure was1.4Vo across 2023., 'Most countrie5 in Northern and Central Europe now provide thrombertomy to 5-10 % of ischaemic stroke patients and perform the procedure within100 minutes of patients arriving in hospltaL England's thrombectory rates are weLL below the European median and with far longer delays to treatment. This represents clear underuse of a highly evidenc&based intervention that can provide many stroke patients with a much larger chance of an independent life.:: Professor Hanne Cmstensen, Chalr, Stroke Attion14an for Europe 50 Stroke Association l AnnLHL Repon Year ended 37 March 2024

Saving Brains: one year on In England In JULY 2023. we laLnched (Njr 'Saving ' Brains." one year on. prryress reporL ' It's an updatE on our campatg calling for tsnNer5aL2417 access to thrombectomy for everyone wlx) 15 egIble. We've seen some good . progress over the year. wlth rrK)re thrornbectorrry centre5 operatin9 2417 and trearnt rate5 gradually Increasing. BeLween 3rd and 4th quarter5 of 2023-24 flnancial year. .the trwory&)eitorny rate In England Increased from 4.1 ¥0 to 4.3¥ts. But this pace of change Is simply 100 ' slow. WhettEr someone can access thrombectomy sti'LI depends on where and when Y have thelr stroke. In our reporL we highLlghted the next ' steps needed to continue increaslng tre3rmeni rates. This Included calllng on the UK Govemment to Issue rts long-promi5ed NHS Long Term Wofkforce Plan to address the chronic workforce thallenges that are holding back thrombectory progre55. This tr5 now been pubLished. Our 'Saving Brains. progress pOrt also caLLed for wellovidencecl innovations. suth as Al lrnaging software and video triage In ambulances, to be used to speed up and maximi5e the benefits of thrombectomy.

To ralse awareness of 'Saving Brains". 'one year on. and maintain nrnentU we organlsed a thrornbeciorny-focused ..drop In event h05ted by the All-Party Partiarnentary Group {APPGI on Stroke, along with a Prime Mlnister's Question. Th5. aLory with iyjr broader Influencing work. ted 10 the then Minlsier for Stroke, WILL Quince MP, visiting Royal London Hospital thrornbectory servlce. A paruarnentary debate to mark World Stroke Day In October prompted .Ehe new Minister for Stroke, Andrew Stephenson MP, to vi5il the ReadiNJ Ehrombectomy servlce Professor Slr Steve ' Powis, NationaL MedlcaL Dlrector of NHS England, has also comfflitted to visit a(I trwornbettomy services this year. due to our sustained influenong work on th issue. Fligh profile vistts from Mlnister5 and the National Medical TeCtOr help create rnomeniim behind tFYombectorty progre55, which vie hope will tead to increased thrombettory rates. Supporting our effo, the Governffns Chief Medlcal Orficer, Chrls thitty, recognised thornbectomy In hi5 2023 annual report 'Health In an Agelng Society., Thls wlll help r31se ttrE profile of the treaiment amDng mecfical professionaLs and CovnIs510ner5. '1 could have ended up not being able to walk, my speech might not have come back as welL as it has. My overaLI abiLity to move might have been taken away. It makes me feel sad and angry that other people are missing out on this. Something needs to be done. We need to campaign and get the powers that be to Listen to us., Charlotte. stroke survivor and campalgner, wtrK) had a thrombe(tory 52 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

In Northern Ireland In ScotlarKI Nortrn Ireland has the hFghest thrombectomy raie in UK with 6.4% of stroke paiients re1Vi tt procedure in 2023-24. We've been focusing our Influencing on calLlng for more Investment in the thrombectory service so it can expand to a susr3inabLe 2417 service. Stroke Assoclati"on is repfe5ented on the natsonaL Thrornbectomy Advisory Group, and we continue 10 pre55 for 2417 thronknectorry Service in Scotland. GIILlan Mackay MSP, who conver5 the Cross-Party Grow) on Stroke, sponsored an earLy evenirKJ iecepts'on for u5 attt Sc0tt15h ParlJ"ament In May 2023. Tr alm wa5 10 bring the stroke com1rlty from across Scottarld together to raise politlcal prDfite and support for 2417 nauonal thT0fT&ErtOry 5ervice5. The eveniThJ in(luded a conversation between a 23-year-Otd stroke 5LKvlvor wlw) rLYeived a throrrctOrny and the interventional neuroradioLogist perforrr*d the procethJre. O¥er130 people attended, Includlng the Minlster responsible for 5tToke Services Jenni Minw MSP. We sent a letter to the Health Minlster asking hlm to fulh'l his commltmeni to deLtver a 2417 thrombectory service for NOrtrrn Ireland by the end of 2024 and Started a petstion slgrled by 3.500 peopl& We aL50 had a meeting with Mlnister In August 2024 vthere we discu55ed t rrportani it is to make thrombectomy availabLe round the clock. In Wales Desprte arDd 500 Stroke pattents being ekngible for thrornbectomy each year. on(y117 patients from WaLe5 recewed a throrrt)ectDmy between April 2023 to March 2024. '1 was told I was a candidate for thrombectory but couldn't have one because the thrombectomy service didn't run at the weekend. I felt I had my hopes dashed., The barriers 10 imprDvlng thrvmbectomy rates in WaLes are corylex. with workforce being one of biggest (lLerm)eS. Howe4er, ¥we expect to see improvernents in 2024 as Al for stroke Imaging is going to be put into prace across Wale5. We w4lLL continue to push for the trar6fomt}0n of stroke servtces In Wales to include 2417 a(cess io a thrombectomy for everyone who 15 elIgle. IYnlL srroke surrfivor and campaigner stroor9.Uk

lon ArwuJaL Report Year ended 31 Mafth 2024

Health inequalities Strokedoesn'tdlscrlmlnate. Butpeople. organlsatlonsand systems do. Somecommunltlesaremoreatrlskofstroke-theseareoftenthesame people who have worse experlences wfjth the health and soclaL care system. Thls Includes rH)t gettlng the advlce. treatment, rehabllltatlon and support they shouLd. We're passlonate about maklng changes acrossthe whole health and care system to address health Inequalltles. Wewantto make sure every person affected by stroke can achleve the best posslble recovery. We condnued to develop Éyjr understanding of heaLth inewalitles lorally and natsonally, and treir inyatt .on stroke prevention, treatrnenL rehabilltatlon and lrfe aftpx stroke. We. cornmitted to tackling alth Inequalities and rnaklng sure th's Is embedded In everything we do. Thi51s part of our goaL_ to reach and add value to everyone as soon as posslble after strok Projects and resources Several of wr proiects covered topks such a5 derstandIng needs, prirxitles and gaps In supp(xt aryx>ng b&xk and nOty ethnic group5 and a55essing Impact of health" knequabtles on acceSng Ufe after stroke 5UPPOrt servKes. We developed OLK Health Ineqvatrtles Le3rnlng ReSe to share knowledge and leamings Intem3lLy fTDm past and ongoing 31th Ineguatstles projects. We're corTThllled to conti"nuir>g thi5 work and deepening our Lnderstanding of health inequauties in stmke, Posftionlng rAJrselve5 to bettef Infiuence ttonge. , Worklng In partnershlp We know wr voice Is stronger when we join up with other& We're mertief5 of the Inequallties In Health AILiance - a strorbg national coaution of organisatlons that carnpan fur a uos54JovernTr*nL Strategy 10 reduce trEatth Inequalits"es. We offef example5 of best practice, support thelr campalgns and promote their rSSageS on our social media channel5. For exarnpLe, in March 2024. we shared ts UK Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physlclans. findlngs that 55Yo of consultant physicians trkid seen more patients wi(h111 health over trE preMou5 three montts ikne to social and economlc factor 5trok&org.uk 55

Stroke prevention Up to 9 In 10 strokes globally are preventable. There's huge potentlal for reduclng the number of Uves devastated by stroke If the rlsk factors are better detected. treated and managed. Things that can Increase your rlsk of stroke Include smoklng, drlnklng alcohol. not being physlcally actlve. along wlth havlng hlgh blood pressure, atrlal fibrlltatlon (AF), dlabetes or belng an unhealthy welght. We help people understand the rlsk factors for stroke and what they can do to reduce or manage thelr rlsk of havlng a stroke. Str4)ke Preventl¢>n Day Unk between high blood presAJre and 5uoke. We wl(I continue to support blood presSts awareness caryaigns so that rrK)re peop.le are aware of t1T risk of stroke. To mark Stroke Prevention Day on 25 January 2024, we raised awarene5S of AF, a type of IrgUL1r trrtbeat that can iau5e btood clots and contribute5 to I In 5 strokes. thjr campaign encouraged. everyone to check tneir pulse and contact Iheir GP if ttEy foLnd anything Irregular. We created strx)rt videos for soclaL rytdla, sIM)wing peopte to do a sirrpLe puLse .check. In Scottand, stroke rates are hlgher than In other parts of the UK. Last year. we funded a siaff member to join Scotti'sh Govemment's potscy team. Thty've Iped develop a cardkovascular disease prevents'on prograTrr£ - wlth stroke, and AF In particuÈar, at the co. A5 a result. a new PUtC Inforrnatlon portal has been pubListr*d on NHS InforTn website. caLculator used by doctors to assess Someone's risk of stroke and 0r corKliii'ons has been revÈsed and updated. Encotsraglng blood pressure testing An esumated 4.2 rniulon a(kJlts In EnglarKI .currently have undiagnosed hlgh bLood pressure - 3 factor that plays a part in about half of alL stroke5. In March 2024, we supported NH5 England 'Get your blood pressure ccked, caryyal Ehrourfjh sociaL T13 and internal ' communications. One of our rnedia volunteer5, Trevor Cruikshank took part In a Tr Usual Suspects'.styLe pF¥JtostK)ot EO promote blood pressure monltoring In people over 40. Our market fesearch found that. slnce the caryaign began, Ihere is greater understandirHJ of tt Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

1111

Rehabilitation and Life after stroke It's not enough to Sust survive a stroke - people need support to thrive after their stroke. We launched our Thriving After Stroke, policy report '.and campaign in October 2023. The report and campaign highlight the devastatin9 Impact of stroke and the difference that Life after Stroke support services can make for stroke survlvors. carers. healthcare professionals and the wider health and social care system. The report also Illustrates that Ilfe after stroke servlces are not always adequate or equal across the UK with varlable access to essentlal support includlng a key worker and a 5ix-month review. We want to Influence local health systems to prloritise these services for people recently affected by stroke. We laLnched Ir Thrlving After Stroke, report at a partIamenry receptlon In Westrnlnster marking Wortd Stroke Day and promoted It with (wr carnpèi9rbers, As a reAl over SOO people asked their local MP5 to enquire ab(yJt Ufp after SUDke provlsions. In Scottarf we compiled a '17wN6ng After Stroke. briefirKJ V4hich looks at the evidenc stroke survlvor experience and HeaLth 8oard dekn'very of Longer-temi supporL Tr#s briefing sits alongside our UK Tth'ving After Stroke, repon. wh'ch Indudes broader eyenCe for ts.fe after stroke support and te51irrrf)nla15 from t£altrKare professionals. Rlght to Rehab campaign We're member5 of Corrrnunlty Rehabi1ttarlon Alliance, rrore than 60 charities royal coLLeges and professional bodles committecl to lrnprovir4 comm550ning, plannlng and delivery of rehablEltation. We 5UPPOrted the coalltion's Rlght to Rehab caryalgn LuThg for an end to postcode Lottery for NHS rehabiljtation servlces. When people don't have access to rehab after a stroke. It can sl( Of halt their recovery. darnaging ttir quats'ty of Ilfe and nntaL aItr[ and caustng lasts'ng health problem 58 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

,•• Marwarfs story Marwar Uddin, 41, from Tower Hamlets, London, had haemorrhaglc stroke in August 2022. A father of three, his stroke not only changed his physical abilities but his role in family Life. He now receives Ilfe after stroke support and reguLar care support. 'The Stroke Assoclatlon was there right from the beglnnlng and has been with me throughout my whole journey. My Stroke Support Coordinator caLLs rr£ regularty to see how I'm doing. They have sent me so much information. polnted me in the right dirertion for obtaining a disability lanyard and heLped me to get my blue badge. l am also set to start a phased return to work L3ter this year. 'Without life after stroke servlces, rry lrfe wouLd be massively different. I have had so much encOuragent from the Stroke Association and the community stroke teams. If I didn't have any of this support. I think I would stilL be In a chair in my b'ving room, watching the world go by. 'It feels Ilke the jigsaw puzzle pieces of my life are sLowly taking shape again. I'm now registered disabled. I'm not the same person, and I probably never WILL be the same person again. But I'm determined to make things work., strok&or4uk 59

We invested in vital stroke research Our research strategy Ovr fivfryear research strategy Q019 to 2024): Bulld research capaclty acro55 muLtlple dtsclpllne5. Inuease fund5ng and raise the profile ,of Stroke researclL Support researth that willachlevethegreatest Impact lor everyone wlth 5trokeand lrnprove Life after stroke. Wealways place peopleaffected bystrokeatthecentreofourresearchto ', make sure our efforts are grounded In lived experlence. We work closely ' with Stroke survivors and carers on our Stroke Voices In Research panel involvlng them in decisions on the research we fund from the start, to make sure It'5 relevant and Important to those it alms to benefiL We Contin to fund research in response to tr James LAnd Auj'arbce 2021 stroke - Priority Settlng Partner5hlp IPSPI. Thi5 Wa5 a UK-wide project which rrkipped research priorities across entire aduli stroke G3re and treatment patlv4ay. We've aLso expanded our fLnding remlt to InclLKle stroke-reiated questions from the 2022 ChildtKX)d Neurological Conditsons PSP. are going from strength to strengty with partners Including the Medlcal Research CounclL IMRQ, the National Institute for HeaLth and Cafe Research (NIHRI and a new partnership with Health and Care Research Wate5 (see page 61). In 2024. UK government annoUnd a £45 miLts'on fund to support early career re5earcher5 lunded ty rnedlcaL Tesearch ttrItieS. We yre allocated an irnpre5sive £575,511. This covered 16 of our research feltowshlps for 202>24 and gives u5 more flexlkntsty in how we Our researth progfatTYne continued ' to sieadlly reiover folLowlng disruption of tt Covid-19 pandernfjc. Our collaboratsons to expand our research 60 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

fijnd additional stroke research. Th15 fund speaks to power of Leadershlp and collaboration Yrfittu'n the chari.ty research . sector. Research partnership achievements We work with strategic partners to develop new funding opporiunitie5 for fiJture stroke research Leaders and lo ensure high priority areas of stroke search get as nyxh funding as possible. Most medical research Is male-focu5Èd, wk4'ch can Llmii our understanding of prevention and treatTnenL we' protKI SLPPOrters of MedlcaL Scierhce Sex arKI Gender Equiry IMESSAGD proJecL wFN'ch Seeks 10 redLe Sex and gender discrimination In rwdical researctL We're lookiiig at how we can make our re5ear£h , more inclusive of cis woffn and trans and Intersex people. We're also rnovlng forward wlth an Equity, Dir$lty and Inclusion IEDII actlon plan. Th15 aims to iryrove things tske diversity within our research comrrLp mity, and to make our research relevant to more dlverse groLP5 of people. Our achlevernents In 202>24 Include: kl Medlcal Research Councll (MRQ: We've partnered wth the MRC to fvnd a PhD FetLowship for medical doctors.. This parmership is managed by the MRC and we Jointly fvnd IL Health and Care Research Wales: In coLLaborauon with tt Welsh Government we're c tundiry a Project Grant to help grow stroke research capacty in Wales. We will manage this projeo but the Welsh Govern[n[ will conrribuLe 50% of the funding. Loathg ahead to 2024*25 wllL' , Refresh and reowdluate our research strategy to see where the Stroke A5sociatlon can strengthen and advance stroke research in the next flve years. To atheve thi& well work wlth stroke COfTVTwnlty, other research funders and t atttrKare corrrnmlty. Nationa( Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR): We're partners wlth NIHR In a £2.1 miuj'on grant tr1 funds applsed re5e3rch. Thls year, we asked for research apptications reOn9 10 PSP prioritie5 in woke rehabits"tation and long- tenn care. strok&or4uk 61

Our research We have f¢xJr Mah types of researth awards ".designed 10 support stroke clmlcians and acaderni Wofklng In any area of stroke research to becorrE the research leadefs of the fuwre: P05tgradtsate FeLlowshlps Help graduate5 deveknp the 5k1115 needed to start a carEer In stroke re5earclL P05tdortOfal Feu•y•hIp5 Offef furtt*r tralning to heEp stroke prDfe5slona15 Who'l compLetEd a PhD to Prog as Independent researchers. Lectweshlps Play a CntI rde In supportlrK] talented midiareer researctrs as t1Y start to ad their own researth tearrs. Projert Grants ' • For (ridI5pllnary teams wj are , addressing blg questions across thle spectTum of stroke research., frorn pVentIon, tkKough lo treatment. rehabilitation and IDr term care,

Sl¥okLorwik

This year. we're prowl to have funded the fouowlng research projects: Grant type Postgraduaie Foiiowshlp Lead rnsearcher Instltuuon Research tltle Xaie Lethngtwn Univer%ty Louege Iinproving we London meo5ure and understand the experience of aphasla Maklng rehablutaii twlcker arKI rrnfe effectbve by Opilmlslng sleep after strokè Postpduate Fellow5hlp Trlln Oja Unl4vslty of Oxlord P05tdortoraL Feiiowshlp Dr Sabrlna Eitrlngharn Sheffleid Tedchng Te5tlng an aliernative (o Hospitals NHS trkckened Iiwids for stmke Foundation Tnt SUYor5 Wlth dy5phagia Univer*ty of at Is roie of trbE Edirbburgh brain's wbste dearante stem in 5m&ili vessel Postdortornl Feiiowshlp Dr Mlttpeistrlnger Senlor ainlcal Lectureshlp Dr Jaiinder Mlntrknts Unlvef5ity ol Le&cesief CFLALLENGE-ICH. Preventln9 ciotlmg strokes after bieediNJ sirokes SEARXCFL. Flnthng a ireaiment for braln sweLi¢ng afiel eedIng strokes Canjiff Unlverslty ESPQOPS.. EvaluatsrKJ Secondary woke pr2¥entlon In Wales Senr Cunlca Dr Nestlka Samafasekera . Univerytyof Edinburgh Stroke A5sociatlonl Health and Care Research Wales Project Granl Df Jonathan HeIlL Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Gfant type Pro*rt Grant Lead researthor I Instltutfron UnNersliy oi Cambridge Researth tjtle Nictrths Evans trIES1 (i: kraitly ano Ils elfects on 5lroke treatmenis and outcomes prOrt Grant Prole5sor Arshad M4ld Unlverslty ol sle{d RICFAST I. Tll, rernole ischaemlc conditioning EO treat post- Stroke 13tlgue Out of sighL Out of Mlnd: Irry)roving visual ouicomes lor chlLdhood stroke JNlvors DrAU Proftrt Grant Professor Nona Rowe Unlverslty of LNerpooL ProJErt Grant Ilofessorksse Dawson Unfverslty ol GièS9OW OASIS., Optlrnlsh)g atrlal fknrlllatlon sUeenI 10 Pfevent second ischaemlc Proftrt Grant Dr Matthew O'connell Klng's College London Integrating fraiLty, thro1C conditions and patient tharacterlsiics to Inlorm stroke cafe IW Grnnt Professor Loma Pa Gla9JOW Caledoni Vnlver51ty comnitya5ed teierehabiutsvon for stroke suTrfvors NIHRIStrok£ Assoclatlon Programme Gtsnt lorAppUed Professor Jonathan Mant Unlier51ty or Research CambrKlge Dr Grace TLmer Unlverslty of Blrmingham COMbAT Fatigje: Coproducing a seLI- management prograrrme for post-svoke fatsgue strok&or4uk 65

Some hlghllghts from our new research project grants In 2023-24 ,'E5PQOPS: Evaluattng secondary stroke ,weventkn In Wales If thls re5earth1s successm the team plan to rnake the tool freely available to healtrKare prOfessnal5. Understanding vtslon problems early on after a thildtrwd stroke could tElp irrgrove Survivors. access to rehabliilation and make It easler lor loved ones, teacher5 arHI others to offer sUPPQrt as gjrvlvors retvm to trlf daily Uves, One in four stroke swvIvty5 WIIL Pwve second stroke withi'n flve )Ears. Thls risk can be rEthJced with rnedlc3tion and lifestyle changes, but rnany stroke survivor5 am'l on recorrmended tr&XmenL Thls can affect not only thelr risk of anotsr stroke, txjt their quaLity of tite, And h's Iwrder io balance risks and slde effett5 of treatrnents for older Of frailer strd(e sur¥ivor5. RICFAST 2 Trfalung remote ischaemk conditlonlng to treat P051.stroke fatlgue One in two stroke or uarksient ischaerThc attack ITIA) sur41v5 eXPerF fatlgue - tlrpdness that doesn'i get any better wlth resL Fatigue can make it hard for stroke survtvors to retum w everyday Ille. BLrt tr£re are currently no treatments avaiUknl& Remote IsctrlaC conditionlng IRIQ 15 3 promisirKJ treatrront that involves briefly and repeatedly cuttirq off the blood gJpply to one amL The RICFAST 2 team are funning a trlal of RIC to idents'fy best timing for treat1TnL undeNand rnore about stroke survlvors find it acceptable. feaslble and effecti and explore exactly trK)w RIC 15 affecung fatigje. . Tre ESP-QOPS team wllLuse Welsh , Ithcare records to understand the , reLition5hlp between fr31lty and stro, ar fx>w the quabty of care a stroke survivor receives affects thelr Long.terrn , Iwlth, Includlng tt rlsk of havlng further 'stroke I, u.r1teLy, team hope to trry)nNe aLthcare 5tr3tegy arKJ ernpower rnore ' stroke Survivo 10 make well.inlord .choice5 abrt healthcare and lifestyl fhJt of Slght. (kn ol Mlnd: Improvlng ' Vi5uaL outcomes for chlldhood stroke survivors RICFAST 2 tay the groLndwork for a larg&5cale clinical triaL If tt res&vch is successfuL RIC could become a low- COS( horro4)a5ed treatrnent for fatlgue. The team tr¥)pe It wltt help more Stroke survlvors regain Independence and have a better quallty of lff Out of Slglrt, of Mind team are testing a new vision screening tool for chILdren who have had a braln Injwy gjth as a Stroke. They want to understan it can be tssed in early stages of recovery, when kn70edge ab(yJt vtsion Pfobtem5 iovld be most useft See page 96 to find out how stroke 9Jrvlvurs have been Involved In wr researctL Stroke Assoclatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Stroke Data Sdence Catalyst Last ar, we started a new fivtryear , research partnethip wlth thE BHF Dats SderKe Centre and HDR UK. , Initiative. knovm as stroke l Data Science Catalyst ISDSC). vhll [P I'researchers better understsnd stroke by usiTr4 data from real.world settirKJs .to Impiove treatryk¥nt and ca, We receNed £297,000 from the Peter So%%e Foundation to 5UPPOn ttis projett. In January, tt SDSC announced a grant funding call ro athance d31a-Led reseafth that examines how COVID-19 Intsracts with '.cardiovascutar disease and strok¢ with a rotal fund of £50.000. IknUK stroke F¢m (UKSF). tile UK5 Lor9est fThJltrdlxsplmary eonlerence for stroky care PtrJfesnBL& tratted a ' ',recard nijnibef ol tendee5- a1,9(KI - wlth excdknl detegats feedbock We and oiwiised Ih conference vl¥CII Is an ¢pporttsnlty to Ipary Ideas arn 111 , researcty and tsltKThitoty iffptwe stsndards .'cf care lry stroke 9JMvor&. 67

We buiLt relationships with Localcommunities and organisations ' Being able to connect wlth otrr people WPK) understand stn>ke In the local canwwnty can make a big drfference to how people recover, adapt èrbd move furward afteT a stroke. These OpportUnleS to connect with other5, thrw social graups and hobbie5, can llp ,' ,, people de31 with LoThelJness. grief, ContenCe issues and stigrna. PracticaL llélp, such as '. transport to 5eprflces or ts51n9 pport. can take sorne PTessJfe off stroke survivor& .' their famiLtes and carers. We M>fk wrth a broad range of peopte and organlsauons to Create stroke-trlendly comrThJnittes ac5$ UK, Together we raise awane$S of risks of stroke and how it affects people's tsves. We also help improve Local comrrnjnity services and make activrties rmre accessible. We aim to aryl.jty the volces of stroke 5urviv(xs and bring abwt posiiive change to coffnjnity bfe. Coff&nvnlty Connertors , As welL as our Locat staff teams develop connection5 in thelr arEas of the UK, we also have an amazing team of volurrteers, known as ComrThJnity Connectors. Many are stroke I survivors or have a personal conneaion to stroke. TY hetp us raise awareness of woke and ctwrity and Improve the experiences of peopLe afferted by strok& In Scott3nd and Wales, Comrnunity Connertor5 have been bringirbg Stroke AThrvors together and supporting ttrEm set up Local groups. TY aLso link in with locaL trK>SPitats au055 the UK to raÈse awareness of I(al and natlonally avallable supporL In North Wale5, Comrrnmlty Connectors are worklryj wlth Betsi Cadwa13dr University Health Board to set UP training for carers. Stroke Assoclatlon l AnnLl Report Year ended 31 March 2024

¥AI Looknj ahead 10202*25 wllL. Cont6ThJe tt> engjre stroke Group Network gNes a hand to everyone nnnlng gr¢MJps so they can support peoAe affected by stroke to thrive. Dellver our ara stroke Group Network conference, whlch Ixlr¥Js together stroke group Leaders and votsmteer5 from acro55 the UK to share their experlences, leam from eath other and fecognlse the dlfference thty rnake to people affected by Stroke. Contlnue to bulld on our partnershlps at both local and natlonal level5 to develop stroke.friendly cwfftfftities. provlding opportunttles for people affected by stroke to engage In wnlrw actsvities and coTnIty life.

Stroke Group Network: Supporting our community We loW wst Importart it can be for people afferted ty stroke to connett with OtrrS who share a similar experience. Ow Stroke Grp NetWDrk 15 a corrwwnlty of Stroke 5UPPOrt grcwjps -.actoss the UK thai orfer sociaLand peer support 10 rOke surrfivofs, carers, farnily ."and friends. Trt neiwork's rnain alm is to tip crEatE connecllon5 acro55 stroke comrwnfty. From Structured groip sessions to intonnaL cafe rTet-LPS, it brlngs tOgetr alL types OT groups. Tt network COntinS to grow, with 24 Independentty run group5 pinl In 2023-24. Diversity is flQuTh1n9 too. wlth grp5 Led by loiaL social prescribers. otrr charitses and arcles ol friends. Yhe"CtheW Stroke 'Gw in West Sjssex is ow to people Ith conYnLffticallon dtffKutiles and stroke suNivors who wrKrtd Ilke tD bul .theiT cofFfldence and ty new actlvitle Includes singlng, drLWnmry 2nd speech raPY to support tarnrrwilcation skllts B[[ on friendships and fun, the groups are a safe and supportwe space to rebulld skiLLs, to team rrK)re about suoke and self-care and io increase conh"dence. knvities tailor to what members want and need, ranging from soclal support and exerase to entertainmenc outlngs and rnea15 OUL Across our Srroke A550ciarion groups In the nemorl v have over 600 voLunieers, 5uppon arwnd 2,900 people affected by stroke. Dave, had a stmke In 2014 and ts 3 nnber of the says 'There's .¢Jreat corrrade5Np. It's nlce tslkry to people whx> undersbmd, and Ifs a 9ood opportsmlty to prarti5e Sp I look f0ry13rd to every Wednesday. dub alway5 has so r[nY Irrterestln9 ctivlbes. Whatts* group means to is lrfendsh1 cartng and wmderful eople Nothlng Is too iYLth trTh)tAe. My Ife arKI I can't speak hNY efw of Our Stroke Group Network 5UPPDrt5 group leaders so they can be there for people afferted ty stroke In thelr Local ,area. Thpre are now 393 10(al suoke support groups across ttr UIQ Inc[Ling 112 supported by Stroke Associati¢ atKI 281 thai run IndeperKlentLy. 70 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

iv Provldlng stroke gr(wps wtth the rlght Stroke Group Network Conference In Septerrkner 2023 Ihe Group Net4vorks deLJ'vered our annual Stroke Group Network Conference ISGNC). It Is an opportunity for everyone InlYed In leadlng and volunteering at stroke support grwps across the network to connect as one communlty. Share experiences, learn from each other and feel valued for thelr achievements in supporting those affected ty strok It's important that our grwps have ttr nght tools to support n*mbers V¥ith communication diftlculties Ilke aphasia, apraxla and dysarthn"a. This year, we dated our 'Communic3tion TooLkit How to support people with aptrs1a In a grp setting 50rce 10 be In .-an aphas13-fn'endLy format The toolkit Includes informatjon on how to make . group actlvitie5 more accessible. tlps for "group speaker5 and guidance for groups. The two-(fay onune event attracted ovEr 230 people. repreSentIr 715 stfoke support groups. 5 Digltal ad paper coples were sent to au support groups In the Stroke Group ,, Network. Volunteers told v The prograrnme focused on acce55ibillty and Indusion. This indthed sharing top tips on how to SUPPOrt ffErrt)ers with co{rniCatiOn dlfficuLtses dnd the hidden effects of stroke, and a conversation with Suoke Association's Chief EXeaVe, IvLlet BixJverie, and Tru5fee, Hannah CatchpooL about traLth Inequatsties and how to reach diverse stroke cornrwnities. Tr pack wlLLbe a good trainlng I resource for any new helper5 that we are able to recruiL' 'IVs the best thlng we have had from the Stroke Association., The conference certainly did resurrect my toyaLty to the Stroke Association and, being a stroke wrvivor, l am very grateful for all the work It does. l am buzzing wlth Ideas - partiCLKwly at)out getting groups in Yorkshre togetrer so we can 5UPPOrt each other as we do such valuable vrfork.. Group volunteer and Stroke Group Network Conference attendee strok&or4uk

Making connections in the community We're always on the look4>Ut for ways to help people ',affected by stroke feel supported by thelr communltles. Weworkhardto bulld relatlonshlpswlth Local buslnesses, oryanlsations and health and soclal care envlronments. ' Here are some examples of the communlty connectlons we've made throughout thls year. SSS We've been worklng th In WaN4kk, the We S4>POrt partntts Care UK to trp them set Brlt15h Leglon got MK Dons FootbaLlCtub in ip stroke peer tOLth fcr help to set mtOn KAynes to set up a grw In local cae Inrrns., up a strLe grw> In a Walking Football C S(xrth East England. - The grw15 now partof the Stroke GrthJp Netw We're also worklng wlth MK I)ons to develop an Accessknluty Sport IndOn Huty MJuLd offer a range of new, acces5>le actlvldes IndLth Indoor crlckeL btr•As and Stroke AQdatIOTr l ArYwalRewtYearerthd 31 Marth 2024

. kl R1 Ow partnersNp wlth tr Albth FOdatI¢m (tt offidaLd)arity partner of We rècenty appued thfr sane model to a rthv parMNp wlthsto aty FC (see page 74). ckn are In t eSS of sStIr¥I other football dubs ight be interested In wIng u& Football aLkn) g¢ne from 5trryth to 5trerfjtlL have been nJMlrvJ a post.5froke exerclse prowamm& Many of t stroke wrvlvors who've ve also tr arranglry to exerd5e tOgetl*r so they can conttnue to benefft frnm peer 5UFsJofL stroOrk

Stroke wellbeing programme with Stoke Clty Community Trust '1 really needed to connect with other stroke survivors. Having a stroke so young, none of my friends understand my situation and, in addition to this, I have aphasia which makes it even more difficult to get support from friends my age. Having Craig [a stroke survivor and employee at Stoke City Community Trust] in the sessions and speaking to other peopLe wtx) have been through a similar experience, have given me so much confidence and I reaLLy Look forward to the sessions., Followlrvj the C(wld-19 pandemic, lour stroke groups closed in the Stoke-o Trent area. We approached Sioke Cty Football Club Community Trust about working tOger on a p05t-stroke wellbelng and exercise progranrne to help l(xal stroke survivors with their lon terrn recovery. There are now grry> exerclse sessions at the club. invoLvirkg SlToke 5uMvors of a ages. The sesslons are parncularty popular with younger stroke 5urwvor5 4vho face barriers engaging with traditionaL stroke group environmen15. A5 welL as improving people's physical alth, ttr* connections made with others affected by stroke have a posrtlve effect on partiopants. mental heaLth. Since completing Programrne. we've seen people return 10 WDrk arKI get Invotved in other Comrrnn actsvities bause their mood and contKlence have improved. Staff ai the Sroke City Foundation Tnjst Say ttEy have more knowledge, skn'lls and confidence when IE cOS to swportFng people affected by Stroke survivor and member of the Stroke weLlbeing programme with Stoke City Convrnnity Trust Project feedtjack higNighted how ImporL3nt it Is to tkive 'stroke specift'c, session5 to build people's confi'dence, beFore trY feel ready to take part in generic activibes. 74 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

A tew of the other organisathms we've been workhw wltl4' Bedford UnIVeI on an exercise PfogramTrL Tennls England on fijnded tennis session& Disability Sport Wales on wheelctrHlr footbau Sessions. Chetsea FootbatL Foundation on tIElr exerclse programme lor stroke 5uNivor5. South West CoastaL Path. Sallabiljty army The Wave Proiert. fiing them to rrth what they offer accessible to Stroke swlvor5 and carers. Canine Partners Offlerw Stroke surviKws the opportunty to spend tlme with 3551sLce drys In tt Mldlands and South East of Englan Tre Canal & RiverTrust and local englneers In Nottingham to Coes1gn an accesslbte bench with stroke vorS in the Mldlands. Southem Rall and Care UK dellvering stroke awaneSS events.

Raising money for stroke and awareness of our cause Despite a tryjgh economic envlronment and the c05t-of-Ilvlng crisls, our dedicated fvndrai5ers and supporters broke record5 for the second year runnlng. raislng £2&9 milllon for people affected by stroke. We want to thank every slngle person and organisation wtrx) gave thelr 5upporL Wltlr you Set up a regular donation, played our lottery. organ15ed a ,' bake sale, ran a maratlKJn, or pledged to leave a glft In your WILL It's arnazlng to see so mary people ralslng money for stroke survlvors and ', their families, friend5 and carers. ', Morn than 16,500 4 people corrffjitted ia DirKt DebiL ra15ing ia Thwlve £lh mllllon. 10,757 new players ined LP5 lor ¢xJr weeldy lottery. The arbnual hxorr¢ from the lottery Is now over 24 mlulo Otff exi5tlng ppOrterS cont]nLd to show Incrndlble gaier05ty. donatlng more than £680,000 to (wr appeals and rnalLlr Looklng ahead to 20225 we vthL' Conunue to prorrnte tt vltal role that le9acles play In fvndlng our work arKI enswe we do our UlnSt to horKJur the wi51*5 of all tlxb5e who lee a Legacy to Stroke Assodation In their WIIL Endeavour to grow the rArnber of peoplÈ actively wiport the Stroke As50clation each year by refinlng, dlversrfying and scaung cw offers while rThilntalnlng a core focus on deUver5TV4 QUtsLindlng 5UPPOrter experience. 76 Stroke AssoclatlDn | AnnL1 Report. Year ended 31 March 2024

Ovtr 400 nmners took part ¢21alL CAJr events raid In the Great North Fkni - ovef£ZI mlWDn In 2023.24. oyr blwe5t tearn everl ' We'tE always honDLKed thxse to cel£brate and remember a loved one ty 5UPParting ' us. In 2023.24. the erage MhLOVed In- rTErrvxiam tribute fLnd'l Increased In Wdlue by 35%, Irom £265 to £359. 548 people klndLy pledged AIntE20.0o0 was ra] Posttprite's Pedal for Stroke leave the Stroke from PAllZ BIThJo'5 special cycllng eknnt raised ovef A5sooatl¢Jn a gift In thelr 'GDGo' blngo garres during £10,000. The tram cyt ,WIU. a 22% hxreast OaDr In sUPPQrt ¢Jf 436km from Doncastertu jpreViCAffa year. World Stroke Day. Eastboume In fvst three day C(yrt1re to vthk kn parthersNp tslth orwisatlons and phIlantptsts to rn15e nMey for, and ralse aWareTh of. cw vltal w)rk to support alL stroke gAvlvots and thelr faThaUes vkngn ttw need IL

Our fundraislng In 202>24, we received 468 legacles from our supporters WFMJ so generously included Stroke Associatlon in Iheir WILLS, rBising 6.1 mllklon, our largest s£1ce of fundraised Incorne. Legaaes account for ovef 55% 01 our fundralsed Income. We held Legacy events at iconic locations acrD55 tr UK such as Harewood House in Leecls and ttrE Royat CoLlege of Physician5 In London, featuring talks from leading rEsearchers. cLinklan5 and Stroke survivors. who shared thelr expenences wnh tyjr 5UPPOrters. Str)k6 The Stroke Association'5 Free Wlll Scheme continued to grow from strength to strength, with 222 people uslng the 5eryice to leave a legacy to the Stroke AssociaDon In 202>24. PAUL 21651 '1 first enc(yJntered Stroke Association Support Coordinator In hosPltaL where I worked as an ocPatiOnal therapist. Since then, I've always thought the Stroke Association Is brilliant, and very much needed. The gifts we leave in our Wllts mean that more people wlll have the assistance and support they need to grapple with huge bfe change5, adapt their living environment and develop coping skilts. Our gifts wlll also rnean more stroke research swifter dlagnosis and better treatments. I'M immensely proud to be a legacy pledger.. - stroke Assoclatlon Legacy Pledger

In memory giving Elizabeth's Story Ekn'zabeth Kwenortey's dad, Danie( had multiple strokes throughout h15 life. He sadly passed away in June 2022 at 77. Ebzabet 26, has been tundraisiTrg for Stroke Association In his memory. 'Fundrai51ng In Dad's rn(ry helped process ry grief. It allowed to focus o my dad and show my thanks fof IN'S knf 'Settlng L4) nyy ILJ5tGiving p3ge was sinple. Charlotte, from the Stroke Associaiion's Fundraising team, goi in touch to see how I vvas doing. Her support made me exated about IL '1 was very close to ry dad. He was my best friend,, 53y5 Ellzabeth, '1 knew he'd had stroke5 before I w35 born dnd when I was . quite young. so l think he'd always Ilved a Ilfe affected by them., '1 walked across London, visiting sites connected to ry dad, indudirig the Ghtsnaidn Embassy. tt was a IDrwJ but bealrtIf day. en Elizabeth w35 11. Dansel had a Stroke Ihai left him reljani on a walkn'ng su.ck or frame to get around, 'Knowlng that tl money is golng to a charlty trt focuses on si)nt.9 that'5 had a massNe inH)a(t on rrty dad's lj'fe - and ry fe - felt greaL I want to contin fundra15ing next year,. Then In 2019, Daniel had another severe Stroke that meant he was unable to watk . or speak SadLy, his taLth decLined, and he j died on Father 5 Day 2022. To mark her father's birthday In March 2023. Eljzabeth decided to walk 77,000 steps - 1.000 for every year of Danlel's Ufe - and ' ralse money for others affetted by stro 5trok&orguk 79

We'd like to glve a heartfelt thanks to every company. their customers and their employees, and every charltable trust and grant glving body thays supported the Stroke Associatffion thls year. We're gratefvL to tr funders have reconynitted tiir supporL ' thjr partner5hlp with Buzz Bingo continijes to go from strength EO 5trengttL Trir blrKJO dubs acr055 the co r&se vitaL lunds for the strokeA5sociation. as welL as awareness . cf Stri)ke. , We're pfoud of our IAvrk with Wlttshlre Farrn Foods to raise aYVarer of fv Lesser- kr effects of stroke - challenges with swalLowlng and eating. This parnRrsfv"p the Gold Award in the Corporate Engagefrnt Awards '8e5t AUgnffÉnt of Brand Values ttwoLKJh Sponsorshlp Actlbryty. category. Our thank5 alsa go to the N3ti0nal Lortery Corrffwnity Fund, which contsnue5 to support cur work In Scotland, Wales w)d Northem Ireland. Th15 year, we've welcomed the sUprt of new lunders who recognise tr Importance of ,' our caL We want to express thanks to Peter S(w4erby Foundation for thelr generou5 support ofthe Stroke Data Saence CataLyx which is acceleratiThJ and strengthenlng the vatsdity of stroke reseaich. And to the Jon Moulton Charw Trustfor supporting a . groundbreaking research study. which aim5 to develop a tateraL flow trslto (SiagrK>se strokes at the UnNer51ty 01 &'rrnlngham. We're deughted that home oth.ce furnrtu company Postrxite ctL>se to support tt ,Stroke Associats'on thls year. We've been blown away by empltyees. commitrnent to tr I partnership - raising awareness and money, VoLteing and ev donating product& We were tIlle{l thts partnefshlp WDn the award for 'Enpityee Engagement Initsatfve .of the Year. at the Thlrd Sectof's Buslness Charlty Awards. Chrt5 Jone5. Posttrlte's Managlng Director saKI: 'Obviously ivs been great to raise the money and awareness, but . actually the beneffts for us for me, have far OLrtweigfd what th've done for the Stroke Assoaatlon, Ifs been about togettwness. Everybody in the busness has been InvoLve Irs been asu)nistxng.' stroke AssodatloTr l AnnuaL Report Year erKled 31 Marth 2024

ri Jtter sti'bHe

We worked with more than 1,400 voLunteers to support people on their recovery journey 'It glves me so muth loy knowing that lother stroke survlvors] have somne they can talk to who understands exattly what they are going through - someone that was missing in the h'rst six rrnnths of my recovery., stroke Assoclation volunteer Ckn vOlteerS hetp U5 do 50 rTAKh for Fwle affected by stroke. TrEy sw>port stroke viiwrs ty ruming wr vUILteer-led 5UPPOrt grixJp5 ar deltr our HPf Weekly Vi)lunteer Calts service seNlc£ Try do incredible th'ngs In tr1r ' community to raise awareness of stroke and tl* Stroke Associati. knd thelr fundraising efforts rnean we can reach more stroke survivors trough vnal serolces. We had an ama2irwJ response to Ouf lL volunteer5 with iKed eypuience of stroke. Slnce September 2023, tearn ha5 proce5sed134 Uved experlence volunteer appllcation5. We a150 recelvEd over 30 Connect and Chal telephcme volunteer appLlcatiortrs. Our total pool of volunteers rrf>w eeedS 320. wNch rneans Ihat nebv people affeaed by stroke recelve their first cau arwnd four weeks Irom first COnTrCL ', MaThy of volunteers are stroke. ' swdvors and carers thernseLves and see volunteering a5 a vrtal part of tr1r ' recovery Ioumey, TrElr experience has Iped tD build theiT confldence, make new friends and Improve their wellbeirKJ.. In 2023 sxvey, 80% (rf VDlunteers told u5 they would recornrrd ts Stroke A55003tion as a 93t pUKe to w)lurteer.; We beueve there is more y can do to IroVe the experience for all our volunteers and to supporr people to make an even bkjger dfflererKe to our work. t sear, the HFY team processed 1,093 new referrals and made over 800 new matches between people afferted ty Stroke volLnteers. Stroke Assoclatlon l AmuaLReport Year ended 31 March 2024

Juue's story Julie Camburn Is a retired nurse, midwlfe and health visitor who lives ,in KenL She volunteers for the Stroke Association as a Community Connector. The thlng l enjoy most about working with stroke survivors is carrying .out the Stroke Awareness sessions. l enjoy meeting people with .,experience of stroke to hear about their treatment and recovery .process. I've met people whose heaLth has been restored folLowing a brain anLxJrysm, which l always h'nd inspiring. 'People wlth no stroke experience come up to me and say how the sessions have really improved their knowledge about stroke and could hetp save their life, which Is very rewarding. TkEy often tell me that they had no idea stroke is a condition that can affect aLI ages. And that they ftnd the Stroke Association information usefuL as they had not seen the , television FAST campaign. 'VoLunteering has helped me by liftlng my mood and giving me confidence. as well as helping me connect with the community., strok&or4uk 83

Our public campaigns heLped us to raise money and awareness , We need more people to know how traumatlc and Ilffrchanglng a stroke can be, how gruelling recovery Is and the Impact It has on survlvors and their famllles. We also want everyone to know about the Stroke Assoclation and how we're here for stroke suNlvors and thelr loved ones every step of the way. To achleve th1% we need poiverful ,PFL medla and afid carnpalgn& ,'HlghUghts. frpm 202J-24 Inclu(" There were12 FAeces of n3tional media coveFage, including articl25 In 'Daily Mlrr4Jr. Daily Sr., T)alLy Express, on sdaY, and The Sln, These resulted fft totsl ch ot Fll coverap at over12 brtliorL 'When the Word$AY Wenr ,,We'creaTrd 3 new feare-le1} doaxrtenw, 'When tl WaTtIs Aw ,,Wert' tLI iaise aw3renw ol dpha51a. a speech apd Corrrr4Catlon dlsorder film wa5 Part of a wider awareness £anpaw as pan ofStrDke arKI Apha51a AWare1sS MontPts. In.tt weekthat the pre55 fElease went out. an 88% increase In vaffic from search enginesto c4Jr 7Aebslte far word aplwa fitsyb follows Il%os of ttVEe Stroke 'swvlvNs with aphasla on ttir pumey to find volce. In May 2023, tt Ptemlered )a( the 8n.tish Aim Institute18FI> and ',Ihe evert was atteNled ty the Stsfs of '.Ihefth WFpnJffle styokeAssodatl .'SUPPOrters and trE medla. d(xU0ntary achlevèd14,092 ew5 on Channel 4's 5treamlng platfonTr and 5,059 ewS on YLwTube. PR campaign geneiated136 plece5 We also laLthd a wite of now ol coveragè, Mth 90% featurir¥J allow corrmJnication tools for people w6th aphasfa tr¥)spitat and the (see pagp 28). Stroke A$cln l knnuaLRepofiYe4rerthd 31 Marth2024 TPie carryxign gened 2JIO social mention5 and 25 TfUlon reOn9 dwu)g caran penod prolile StrokeASSOCFation supponer5 e a150 WM)Ived, IrKluthn9 3Ctor5 .Chr15 ar Math Chamock chef and wrrter Bnan Twner.

Creatlng a Garden for Recovery We were awarded our flr5t ever Sly)w Garden at tt 2024 RHS Chelsea FIowEr Show. We won funding ffom Project Giving Back and began planning the garden with Miria Haryis, an aWardIDn1ng landscas)è . designer wfrK) Is 3 stroke survivor TseLf. With more Ehan 150.000 visitors each year and exEensive BBC coverage, we koped the 5tx)w wLd hetp raise awaTenes5 of stroke and Stroke A5sodatlon. The garden successfully taunched in May 2024. See rrK>re . detai15 in next year's Annual Report Our Long-term awareness strategy We caffied out market research that showed many members of the pubuo InclLKfing those connected to siroke. don'i undersLand the c3tastrophic impact of stroke, or vital support 15 for stroke survivors thr¢Jughout tsir10ry4 pumey to recovery. They also "aren't awarp of the range of 5UPPOrtwe pn>vlde at tt . Stroke Assoclats'on. Thi5 means that many people are missing our on the SUPPDrt they need - and survivors , may rt make the recoveries they deserve. To help us charKJe th15 perception and reath our key goal of 'making SfDke tre priority It needs 10 be,, we've ,developed a croSsrganisatIOnaL long ierm awareness strategy. We are rW focu51ng on shjwing these audien(es why stroke wporr is essentiaL throwh the reatsty .of suryiving and recovering from 3 Stroke and the devastatlng impact, including on the widef family. We'll Sha and arnpty survivors. Stories of recovery . 3nd demonstrate the rote that the Stroke A5)(latIOn C3n ptay, through a new campaign launcl4ng In autumn 2024 and through our luture marketry artrd COTTwruiications actsvlty. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

How we work We're always looking to Improve the way we work at Stroke Association - from the systems we use to how we collaborate with colleagues. Every change we make aims to help us have an even bigger impact on the Lives of people affected by stroke. Looklng ahead to 202&25 we v•KL" Consoutste Ixff leamlng to ensure that we delh Pfloritles at pacL Spread our new way5 of wthing to the wlder organlsatlon. Changing how we work Last year. we Introduced a new planning tool- our pipene - to 1p prioritise and sequence Vrk that IrwoLves rnuLtiple ie3rDs working iogether. Thls me3n5 we can better adapt arid respond to WI,5 changirmj in wortd arDd us arKI add more value to stroke sUp41V5, ConnectlvaL We tK>Sted our thlrd ConnecttvaL an annual onune festivaL for staff and volunteers, In June 2023. Connectivat 15 an opportunity 10 fo(u5 on our priorities and dlfference W make, as we connect wilh our coLleagJes. This year, 579 people attended - our highesi number yeL Of the 58 speakers, around I In 5 had Lived experience as a stroke survivor or carer. More than 70Yo of attendees 5ald thry felt rTr)re connerted to work after attendirM> New People System We ffnved to a new People System liTrent) to rdern15e our people processes, improve ilE efficiency of our payro and rrknike rt easier for Staff to keep t1r details Up-to-dat stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Investlng in sklLI5 Wee contlnued to lrniest In leamlng and development to help wr peoptp expand their S'Lts and experlence. In AL4U5t 2023, we ran a three-day residenn.al L&idershlp course (alLed Dare to Lead focused on leading with our values and develoyng brave Leaders. It gave people time to develop relationshps and peer support. whlch has become more important than ever now that we are a remote working orgaru'satiorL . In October 2023, arnund 80 colleagues took part in tralning to improve coaching skills led by bestseulng autt¥)r and coach MlchaeL Bungay SLinier. The course helped build the key skius we need to,. have empowering and meaningful conversations with people afferted by stroke," be better leaoers; and improve way vde work With other ' coILeagues and partner strok&or4uk

Equality, diversity and inclusion 0vrapl>th to solving inequtty In Stroke tlng a diverse and incluslve Board of Trv5tees We Shad 'Ow appfoach ID srvlry ,1 Inequlty In stTDke' and .' approach on o(K web%"te. We LteatEd this approach io chatlerKJe ourselves to do better for ever>rne affecced by strDke, , our people and everyore we wock with. The approach has ideniified charfjès we need io rnake to add55 Inequaltty, The Board aTTrd staff merrkn have been . exckT5ion and dlsthmlnabon, h atso 1p5 worklrrfj together to derfelop a plan to . be expLkit aboui tsse barriers and ttE. InpTDve diversity. Indude& probleTrs iky catse. Priorltisir¥J dlver5ity In futwe Trustee recruitment campalg Hearing frorn stroke stsrylvofs from distharitaged ar marglnatised CDmTwnlties and petyle with lfved As part of j1, tonvnltment tD addresslN4'. Inequity In 5trDke. our 8oard of Trustees ccKJnised Éhue needs to be rrKbre people frorn differeni backgrthmds. Identttles and Ilved expeAence represerted ai tre rnost . senior level in the charlty. WE Feld an organisational bInar In , October 2023 to share ow alrr6 10 solvlryj ,' Inequtty In stmke, and how approxh wlll ¢Jur tharlty SJPPOrt Lvery 3ffe(ted by the conditiorL webinar vs opportunity tu hlghll9ht areas ,we'd priontsse(( IncIling dr¢efSity In rEcTultmenL lacktsry health Inegjatsties , wlth c(sMr5 and dlOp4 Qkx 803rd ith'ng part in Fr new diversity and InCluOn training programme to develtjp ttrr wLedge and capabltsty so ihey can bettu oddress Irwwlty In woke. Board aaions rEllea knledge, deep under5tandiThg arrfl efrpathy fof drver5ity of thought and experienco Ths 15 OUT alm far ard d1151 and TrÉ Challe Is to eTnbed rlms approath .'across al( afeas of •JJr work. We work ,' wlth teams and drectorates w bulld It into thelr plannlr¥J and decion m 90 Stroke AssoclatlDn | AnnL1 Report. Year ended 31 March 2024

Deuverfng Information In a way thats rlght for each person e stroke 5UTvlvors and carers have Shared l theirview5 ab(xk acce55ibllty thrOh wr l Ask and Act survtys, calls And feedback. Olttfjse people wh) reCeIlI Stroke Recovery SeNice suppo¢ 97Yf said Vir Stroke S)Prt CIJofdJnaw 9ave y them tnforrrkltion In a Yrfay ¢trt ttr lndeO0d. we Ill more to ? da Thre were mary c¢jnvrnts ab¢ ffi need frK talbrnd corrrnunlcatlu) I wh&her thavs u5mg st)fTW,$ preferd b tsnwage, w)wtirKJ people with apha513 to comrwnicate In tre best way for or belng sensltive to otlr comrnmkatlon needs SLK as tarlng loss or aud5r Inf0MtiOfi also needsto be personalised , for exaryle ty following up spoken conver5aD'ons wlth WTTtten rnarerials and offering ajdlo Vekns of Leafiets, I We continue to prornote ar tr31n OLY • people to Use Interpfeting 5eMces prtyrfided by the compary Language Is Eve1. Ovei 60 different larouages wefe rowested in 2023. incwng Brtush . Slgn Language. In 2023. we used the I Interpreting service 346 time& and we ,1 trpe to see this nurrt)er 9row in 2024. We rnade OLff rSt British Sign Language j vtdeo about our 3ppfDaih io solviry 4 Ineqsjlty In stroke, We're atso workirmj to , better erstsnd the stroke needs of ihe strok£oryk

Working in partnership with others We can't fix all the challenges facing people affected ,by stroke on our own. We colLaborate with other organisations and charitles to pool our resources, give ourselves a stronger voice and make a bigger difference. We're a member of the Rlchmond Group of Charities, a coats'tion OT12 national health and 50ciaL carE charities. MerreT5 Voted for our stroke A5sociatson Chief Executiv£ ju.eL Bouverie 08E, to remain char for another Iwo years. RIctrnd Group wod(s together 10 help the15 rn10n people lknng with lon9-ienm, rThADple or complex health neecls tn England to Ilve well and tlyivi It Is a cotLe(tive voice to better lnIknnCe Ialth and social care pots'cy and practice. Key achlevements for the Rlthnw GrrP kn 202>24 Inclwje:. We knrn¥ thatl fn 4 ofus wlth at least tlth condition& The RiclvTK)nd Growj calLed f GMrnrnt to: The RlctwrK)nd GroLP conthjod to pwtner with Spcrt Eryland to understand and address baffiers that people with 1.terrn , face to getttr and rernalnlng L SLPPOrt people wlth rIlple Lmg" term condlllons to lfve welL Z redesffign of nwltlple Belng Involved In the We kn Lkthfeatsble AU) Campai ~ bthch cOurage5 people hth Ltyfj-term conditions wch as &Tc*e ta get aclNe - Is a signltsrt part of tlts wo I Prontr alth In pclkie&' Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

stroke Assodatlon contlrKd to Spport tho WAU caTrpalgn by pronxing CeS . shaThI natlon& strategy RICInnd Group played an a( ro kn Iniknthg the draft Govemnwtt Maj Conditk>ns Strateqrf, Including tlwh Jullet Ble,$ ffn*>eJstlp ofthe Expert Advknry Grou We IK)pe that tre GovffnnMt wlll conrnit to addressiryj nyxe PÈrnalLSed G¥e for peLWe Ilving wlth .' rrMAfjple Iwlth c(Kth(m5•1 strokLoryk

Involving stroke survivors We contlnue to make progress towards our vlsion of ensurlng people affected by stroke Influence all our work and the wlder stroke agenda. Thelr unlque perspective and expertise IncJease understsnding of stroke and the Impact It has on people's Llve& We canvas5 views and opinion5 to influence decisions and co-create projects In partnership wlth people wlth lived experlence of stroke. As a resulL people's lived experience is having a gieater influence on the work we do for everyone affected by stroke. . Stroke Vievds Involvement Network Reviewing the content of emalls and designing 5UPPOrt packages for people who've recentLy had a stroke. Influendng content layout and tesiing of our new web5rte. One of the key ways people can be Involved in work Is through our Stroke Views Involvement Network, which bve set up In 2022. There'5 now 450 people affeaed by stroke in trE netYrk. In 202> 24, W corrpleted 21 projects wrth the help of the nemiork and involved 272 peopLe. Involvement NetY¥Drk members atso took part in Tk to Influence the wider stroke agenda, tnduding giving feedback to the Departrrnt of Health and S(Kial Care on ttE Mapr Condiuons Strategy (See page 42). The range of prolects that I(Ped shape our work ai Stroke A55ociation Includes: Designing an tnvolveffnt session for Confiecti'va( wr event for staff and unteer Influencing ovr declsions on potentlal Corporate partner5hip5. Re-designin9 Crtjr 'ln Memory. fundraising comrThmlcaiions, includlng tribute pages. cards and branding. Designlng suNey quesOn$ for Ask and Act feedback systerrL Stroke SLrvorS have helped develop a Mental health wpport wvlc• for people affected by stroke In WaLe5. In partnership with MSnd Cymru. As welt as sitting on the project steerfng groupi stroke surv7vors and their loved ones were Involved In CdeSign1n9 the servlce Isee page 36 for more on the profvct). 94 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

'It has been great to be able to shape the Rebuilding Minds After Stroke project from the very start. I struggLed with my mentaL health post-stroke, so it is of personal interest to me as a stroke survivor who went through a very difficult time. The project looked at ways in the future of helping more stroke suNivors get the mental heaLth help they need, and as we found in this project, most stroke survivors need some level of psychological help to come to terms with what happened., Stephen Attwood, Stroke Surviyor and RelJJllding Mlrbds After stroke Steerlng Gro member strok&or4uk 95

Involvlng people In local decision-making The gcoup, which has 3round105 members, brings opporbjnitses for people INing and working with woke to shape research Eogether and 10 ale an;. incLu5ive enWrDnnn1 where member5 (eel beneht and value from taking pafL In 2022, V began to set4Jp long.term volvemeni 9rwp5 acr055 the UL We now have Locauty Stroke Voice5 group5 in 8 out of lo of OUT locallty teams, supportlng u5 10 make decisions on local priorities. For example, In 2023-24, the MidLand5 StToke Voices gr(P contributed to the deveioprnent of initiaLplans lor ,new stroke ward In LlncoLrLshire. Our member5 con5thd on13 projett grants and10 research awards over the past year. They con5uLted on 21 searCh projects. helping to inform new materials. priorrtise topics, review Information and shape research projects. Working Wtth health professionals TPEY have also Shaped priorities for Stroke Voices and will be Involved in Informlng and developing our research 5tr31egy Later In year. Members ot Aphasia and Accessible Voices, ortre of our SpeCia'St involvemeni groups. led a session at our UK Stroke Forum In December 2023. The grp shared their passion for acce55iblllty wlth heaLtrÉare wofesslonal5 and researchers and Instructed on trK>w to Involve people with accessiblty needs In projects. The session was packed and , recewed exceuent feedback Measurlng the Impact of involvement In Apn"l 2023, we carrled out our hr5t annual 9Jrw to measure Impact of InvoLvEment on our StrDke V5ews Network menters. It found that 88ts 01 network merr>ers always have a poslts've experience when tY get InvoLved. We aL50 gatl*f feedback on each PToJecL Here's 3 summary. One Aphasia and AccessibLe Voices mernber said: 'It was so inportani seeing a group of people with aphasla acF¥e somethlng so big. There was so Interest in foom for whal W were saying. It was great to See.. Everyone who responded said t would apply to be part of another invoivernent proje. 90Yo Df peopte felt were retnJitEd ai Ehe righE time. 90Yo of people Iwd recelved feedback on projects or knew wtr£n to expe tIN's. 90Yo of people felt the aims of the project were cLearLy explained. People reported feeling IIsEened to and havin9 a sense of purpos SupportAng Stroke research Cjjr Stroke Voice5 Tn Research grDUP coniinue5 to provide 'Ved experience support to researchers and InflL•ence our- . research grants and award 96 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Financial review In 2023-24, fft developed our work to Increase our Impaa by raising av4areness of stroke and bullding our base of Long- Eem) supporters 50 that we can reach au people in the first year after tr1r strok Thi5 programme wa5 funded through designaied reserves that hr5t arose from . surpluses generated In previous year5. Income Otsr principal s(xrrce5 of rever are legacles, fundraising aaivitle5 and LocaL services contracis. Our total IncorT lor the yeaf was £411 nylllon (2023: £40.7 miltson Lega(y income thi5 year was U6.1 mlLU'on 12023.. £16.8 rniwonl. Wh'tst we hwe seen an Increase in Legacy pledgers, Incoff ha5 falleD thje to Increased delay5 at the Probate Registry. The underlying positson rernains strong with the nun)ers of legacie5 we recer4e growing each year. We achieved our hlghe5t ever Inc(Jffle of £42.1 mlllion. an increase of 4¥0 In the year. We have used this Inuea5ed Incorw ."and our accurrNJlated reserves to grow our expenditure on charitable actNities by 16%0, from £30.5 miLLlon to £352 miluon. C)Jr expendtture on dirett services to stroke survivors Increased from £18.0 milb'on to £20.6 rniuion and we also Increased expenditure on research grants raising awarEness of stroke, co(rmJnlty developrnent and (xjr CaIgn5 to ensure itsi tr health systems and "governments respond lo the needs ot stroke survivor5, 0r fundralslng actlvltie5 Contributed £12.8 rniliion12023' £71.6 MiLOn) of gfOSS Inco. Indimdual donations grew by12¥è to £IO.O miLbon12023: £9.0 mllllonl. Our conu'nued invesrrnent in lottery and raffle lundraising saw that Income increase by 40Y• w £1.6 MIOnI2023.. £1.2 mllknonj. We are honoured that the quality of our research prDgrarnrr was recognised by a grani of £297,000 from Peier Sowerby F(xJndatlon and £576,000 from t*k MedlcaL Research Chants'es Early Career ReSearCtrrs Supporr Fund. Expenditu on raising funds Increased from £7.9 rn10n to £8.6 Mil.0n, as we Irwested in Sncrea5ing the number of people who give to us regularly. which WILI prodLKe sustained long-ierm Income, Our strategy to use reserves accurrnAated In previous years to hjnd the de4eLopment 'of our services resulted in a deficit of £1.7 . mlltson12023: 3 mllllon surpLus). Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

' Our local Services contract5 are a direct ' help 10 stroke survivors, their famiLles and carers. and a major S¢Xffce of Income and expenditure. Local seNces contraci Income and group network Snc¢)me achieved £11.6 mILOnI2023. a0.8 mlllioni. These contracts are primarily awarded by locaL NHS provider5 and local authDrttle5. In addition. salary Costs have Increased due to the impact of inltaiion, growth In servlce5 and a reduced vacancy rat& Dlrett costs of support services 10 stroke surrflvofs Increased by l7Y.. nally, we have contlnued to bvlld our research arnbttion wlth the totaL cost of new grants and the research team increa51ng by 47% tD £3.7 rn10n 12023: £15 mllLlon). New grants awarded Increased ty 57Vts to £33 rn1( (2023: £11 MI001. The net effect of realised and unreaLlsed moverrEnts on our charity's Investments was d gairs of £3.6 Mi0n{2023. £473.000 loss). These gains are being recycled Into our deslgnated fund to accelerate the achlevement of our stratw to reach everyone who has had a Strok Ttr conThrcial trading operations caffied out through tP Stroke Ass(Ki3tion'5 trading subsidAary, stroke Ass(Ki3tior¥ ITrading} Llmited, contribirted £37,00012023: E130,000} to net Incoff 35 detailed in note 3. Our dectsi¢)n to Secure the flnancial stabib'ty of the trading subsidiary meant increasing our reserves 10 £60,000, Incurring a corporation tax chdrge of £12.000 (2023: £01, Expenditure TotaL expenditure was £43.9 millFt)n ,12023, £38.4 MilOn), includlng £35.2 ,miLtson12023: £30,5 mlthon) on charitable actrvities suppornng tre key objectives of Ehe charity, and £8.6 miLts'on (2023: £7.9 ,rnilbon, ¢PA_ growth) on raising funds. We have gruwn our expendlture on chariEabLe attNiU'es by 41¥ts over last ro10 year Increase in the cost of charitable ,artivitses refLecied our ambitsons to Increase crfjr suppon Line staffing (for our Stroke Support Heipune. Stroke AssociaDon Connect and ChldtK)od Stroke Support plK)ne 5UPPOrt seCeS) and to provide more support and cover to front4ine staff. strok&or4uk

Outlook Llke aLI charitles ttrkit are dependent on legacy Income, we are seeing dela5 in the processing of Legade5, which is caL¢sing a ljquidity ckkallenge. The Longer 'me5 taken tu teceNe a(crL1 legacies mearb that debtors 3fe Inueasing as a proportion of current assets. Last year approved a finandaL strategy which guides our long-term ftnancial direttion. financial wategy 15 designed to ensure that we maintain our reserve5 targets, keep stsff costs at a consisient proportion of ¢)veraU . expencfiture and remain tirTranclay SUSta1nable. We 5UPPOrt our fi'nancial strategy with a three-year hnancial frarnework thai set5 oul ovr expectabons. Should our free resepdes be deh"cient, we th3ve three year5 TO restore them. kewise. excess free reserves shwld be designated and reLea5ed over trwee 10 flve years. Th15 Is the direcii'on we have raken throujh des19nating excess free reserves Into tre Strategy Acceleration Fln We are the only charity providing kn'feLong support for 51roke survtvor5 across the UK. We Cont)nL to lrnprove our qualj'ry of service 10 5tToke survivors, resulting In Increases In locaL seNce grnnts from the NHS and LocaL authorities. These Increases are hard WDn. but we[con. We recognise [lt spending constralrtts are having an impact on the abltY of statLrtory bodies to lully lund service Given the quabty of wr seNce as leadlng stroke survivor charity, we will contiThJe to advocate for 3 greaier role in , providing these services. However. this uncertainty rneans that we have not made any a5surr¥)tsons on underlying Increases Sn support for these services in futrjre years. Cljrflnancial goals areto rnaintain tong- tem sustainablbty and increase incorne so Ihat we reach everyone as soon as . possible after their Stroke. To do thls V* .need to invest in new ways of reaching ' stroke survivors, raising awaneSS of stroke, mainiainlng a.yd growing Le9acy Income and Increasing the rhnber and vaLue of donaEions from individuals, trusts and foundations.. Our current plans Include haw we rnake the changes needed ID reach rnore Stroke suNivors and thelr careJs, to raise awareness of stroke and to campaign to ensure that thrornbectomy15 made available acr055 the eniire UK on a 2417 basis and to increase our supponer base. We expect the next fvee year5 wail be a chalLenging environmeni in which 10 "grow our income. Recefjt high inflation and cost of ljving challenge5 arp affectirbg 'our supporters as rrch as everyone else. However, we are conftdent that have the strategy In place to coritinue to Inuease Ir svpporter base. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

.. Balance sheet The investment portlouo has risen to £28.9 mIlon (2023: £27.5 milbon). A £28.9 MilOn is held wrth ¢xJr Investment managers. During the year we drew down E2.6 miltson trorn the portfolio (2023". £3.0 rn10n invested). However, due to strong stock se(l10n and Incased globaL retLffn5 Investrnents grL by E3.6 mllllon12023". £473,000 Ioss). We continued fo lake advantage ol short-term interesi rates ty putting excess fvnds on short-term deposiL This produced interest Income of £86,000 12023: £32.000). The consc}daIed balance slet SF Eotal group funds ai 31 Marth 2024 of £36.9 miLllon (2023: £35.0 miltsonl, Ttri5 consobdates Stroke Associaiion chanty and our wholly owned trading si)sidlary. Stroke Associatlon ffradmg) Limtted. Included In total lunds are £23 mllllon 12023; £2.8 mlLbon) of restncted fund& These monies have esther been ralsed for, and thelr use restricted tu, 5pecrflc purF)oses, or they comprise donations subject 10 donor-Imp05ed condillons. ' Full details of ttrese restntted funds are ' In rK>te 29 10 the ftnancial statements. ,Eogether with an analy5 of movements in the year. We recognise legacles when w are entiiled to them and confident that we WIIL recelve trrn. They are recogni5ed a5. Incorr and the arrnt owed is SWn as 3 debior, tr val2 of this debtor has risen to £9.4 mlllion (2023: £7,4 miwonl. Thi5 reflects both strong underlylng perf0Mnce, but also the increased time tsken at the Probate Registry to process legacies. Unrestricted hjnds of tF thar at 31 . March 2024 amovnted io E34.5 milLion 12023, £32.1 miujonl of which E16.5 miuion 12023: £11.S milLlonl has been designated for strategy acceleratlon, to urer¥irrte frJture legacy incoff fluctuatlons, lof .transition pro}e(ts and otskr activitl Our fixed asset reserve is £2,8 milLion 12023., £2.9 mllllonl. whlch presents tr cost of our fixed a5seis aftef depreciation and arnortisation. alorKJ Wwth the net book vaLue of asseES held for sale. Otsr free Teserve5 have decreased to £15.3 million '12023, £17.7 miluonl. which is in bne with our target range. Research grdnt Ilabllrties rose to £6.7 millJ'on12023.' £6.3 miLllonl, This is due tD tr £3.3 milu'on in new awards12023' £2.1 million), offset by £3.2 mlllton in grants pald durtng year (2023: £2.0 MILI). strok&or4uk

Cash flow5 Reserves pollcy r bank balances lell sughtly to £53 million12023.' £5.4 mioni, We have 50LKJht to maintain rea50nable workn'ng capiial balances wrth the drawdown of Ehe Investment portfoijo being used to fund the in-year deficit and increased delays In legacy processing. Our charity faces risks that we manage Ihrough a risk register. Dur reserves pollcy is designed to ensure that we have suth'cient resen5 to ensure that i. We can respond to fOreseen events wittK)Lrt Jeopardising our abibty 10 Contin to swport people affed by 5voke. 2. To provide gfflloent liwidty to rr[ ow obtigaiions as trEy faLL due. 3. To fund pLanne<l deh'ats in fuwfe year& Golng concern The trustees are of the vlew that thp Stroke Association is a goirnj concem as there are adequate resources avalLabte to fund the chanty's activitses for the foreseeable futuri trustees revlewed risk-based reserves policy in March 2023. The policy 5taies that the Stroke Association 5Ul keep sufficient reserves to cover. Maintaining the long-terrn hnanciaL abiLity of charrty and Its SE3tus as a going concern has been a key focus for trustees and management. This ',has invoLved Contin analysis of t emerging context. wuiar monttorlng of rEsuLts and adpjsting plan5, forecasts and . budgets as the situauon evolved. Trusiees approved a f&nancial 5tr3tegy last year Ihat enj thai risks. reser4ES and flnanoal plans are arnbltious, cOrent and sustainable. Restricted reserves. Designated fund5 to support t future developrnent of Ihe Stroke A550ciation, to ensure continuity of UK Suoke FonJm and to ensure ttr* hnanclal independence of stroke groups across the country. Flxed asset5 reserve& Free reserves to cover. Woiking capital needs. Welghted risk requlrernents. weighted fisk feserrfe requirement is based upon the ts'kely range ol expected cost5 5Uld a fisk materiatise. This is weighted by the Llketshood of the rlsk occurring. These risks are considered as part ot risk Tegister. as expLained below under 'Principal nsks, uncertaintses and MgationS, Ipage 106). 702 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

free reserves requirement is rerfiewed regtslarly throLN4hoiit year and at 31 March "2024 was £15.6 mlLllon. As set out below. our free reserves level was £15.3 milLion. which Is £OJ miL.0n beLow the fequirement. Trvs is due 10 the pending sale af the Brom5grove property. whch took place in N>iiL 2024. Leading to the f ree reserves belng re5Lored 10 . Ihe Tequired leveL £ rnKIknI £ rnllllon At Mwth 2024 Al 2023 Total reserves (tharity only) Restncted fund5 36.9 35.0 18 DeSnated ftjnds Fixed asset fijncl IL5 2.8 153 17.7 Free resen5 reryjirement Worklng Capal Midpoint Risk Requirement Future Planned Detici ss 8.7 (Ddklt) or exctss agaln¥t polky 103) 14 The working capttaL requiremert has , remalned at £5.5 milllon 10 recognlse Ehe ongoing delays In the prDcessing ol Legacies at the Probate Registry. and the need to rnanage In-year cash fluctuation5. The delays In legacy proce55ing are conEinuing and requiremerrt will SL*)iect to ongolng revlew should condltions Improve or detefiorale. The risk requirnent trk35 Increased to £8.7 mlLilon, with the main Increase being thJe to havlng m(Ye ,afrt)Itlous fvndrai5ing tar9ets. strok&or4uk K13

We have severat designated fiJnd5 that . trustees Ikive Set aslde. se are: A5 these grwps a part ol the charity their Income and expenditure are Included in our financial 5taiernents. However, recognise thai tse funds have been raised by the group5 and stK)uLd rema5n under their contsoL Strategy Acceleration Fund- £12.6 milllon Th15 fundls provldlng support fof o arr[dOn5 to: Inuease awarene55 of stroke. Increase Incon Irom regLtsr gNln(i. Improve our oryani5ationaL capacity. Reach rtb)re stroke survivo Northampton Resource Centre Relocatlon - £296,000 Our distribution and fuLfrtrynt faallty Is based in a wareuSe In Nonharnpton, which is not fi.t tor purpose in its currenE state. These funds are deSnated to provlde tor costs of designiry ar fittlng out [rT¥)roveMts to the buSldirwJ. To achleve these goals we need 10 spend our resource5 wisely to ensure Ehat we reach more stroke 5urvivor5 in a sustainable manner. The StraTegy Acceleration Fvnd is de51gned to provide slgn"rflc3nt hjnding io allow us to rTkike . Ehe5e change5. Unlted Klngdorn Stroke Fonm (UKSF) Fund - £61,000 The UKSF15 an annual conference where practitioners and organisations connected to 5uoke meet io dlscuss new deveLopments and chaLtenges. It is hosted iDintty by the Stroke Association and t Britlsh and Irish AssociaDon of Stroke Physlclans. Operatlry model - £l.I mlluon This fund was de5ignaled to pay for new ' IT investments required to modemise our SyemS and for prDpety transiuon COSf5 as we TTh)ve iowards alfTK)St alL staff . being rernote workers. Provision is rnade In the fund for the depreciauon of ttK>se Investments and for the introduction of new investments suth as a People System and a replacent for Ihe CusiDmer , Relatlonship Managen*nt System, which 15 Vital for the effloent detsNEry of our serrfices. This fund accurTrJlates wrplv5es and deficits of each event over t prewous fve year5 OTder tt) undenvrite costs and risks wrth each yearfs evenL Research Fund . £575,000 In March 2024 we received fundiry from the UK Govemrnent's Medical Research Charities Early Career Researcher5 Support Fund of £575, 511 to fLmd early career stroke researchers. TrNS funded grants that we had aLready awarded from unrestrlcred lund& To rur Ihe spirit of thi.s award trustees have agreed to UEate a research frJnd of the same value to aLIow for addltional grants to be awarded in 2024-25. Legacy 5tabiUsatlon Fund - mlllion This fvnd Is designed to Iron (Njt the fluctuation5 In the receipt ot large Legacies: the timing of legacies is always uncertain and can cause disiortions in wr flnancial performance. Thls fvnd allows us to rnanage these fluctuations without ' causing disnption to seNice& Stroke Assochatlon spOrt Grp5 - £503.000 Stroke Association 9JPPOrts local volunteer-led stroke support gro acr055 the UK Isee page 70). 104 stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Ai strok&or

Investment policy performance o the portfollo and investment 5traiegy, Each quarter the chairs of the Investment and Financial Performance Commrttees meet wlth the Executlve Dlrector of Finance ta revlew investment and quIdIty levets. ALL wr investment decisions are guided by our Ethical and ResponsibLe Invesument Poucy (see page1231. The InveStnnt straiegy is set by .the tW5tees and considers Incorne requirements, t risk prohLe and t IrT¥estmEnt managers, ViLWrf of rnarket prospects in tt)e medlum ienn. We have an annual total return target of CPl3.5% averaged OVEr seven years on the main porrfollo. The Invesunents are not required primariLy to 9enerate sh)rt-term Income but to undenNritE our research . abIlity and r reserves requlremenl,. boih of whlch are long.term obJecrive5. , This allo¥vs u5 m move to embracing a hlgher Srt-refrn risk approach In retwn for an expected hwher long-term retum. Principal rlsks, uncertaintles and mitigation5 Otsr tnjstees Identify, asse55 and nderstand nsks facing Stroke A$513tion and a sati5fted ttkx an approprlate risk framework Is in place to manage these. We take a batanced approach to considerlTrg risK taking steps to minlmise the UkelllK)od and iryact of nsk wherevef possible and providing reserves to cover risks. while acknowledging that exposure to r(5k Is inevltabte and should not prevent our charity frorn pUrSn9 new opporwnities. The toLIL retLWn from inve5trnent was £649.00012023: £579,000) In dividends and incerest and £3.6 MI"0n In investment growth12023: £473.000 lossl, thus representing a rotaL return of £4.2 milLlon (2023: 06.000) or15.6Yo 12023: 0.7¥0) oll the opening fijnd value. CPI Inflat was 32Vo in March 2024 {lQ.l% March 20231, thus thls performance exceed5 the target by 12.4% in 2023-24 ,,19.4Yo shortfalL In 2022-23). trustees betleve that by rrK)nltoring reserrfe levets. wwring controls exist over key financial systeff6 and processes, and examlning organisational risks the charlty f3£es on a regular basis as documenied In the charity's Risk Regisier, risks can be rnitigated and effectively managed, Tr Risk Register ts gUlarlY reviewed by the Executive Team and monitored by ttr Audit and Risk Committee and Board. Risks are ranked on a score alLocaced by assessirKJ the level of Impatt and Ilkelihood. We tréve a bond portfotso of £S.O millfon I wh'ch is designed io cover investTTnt . drawdovms over coming year& TTrSe are in low-ri4( govemment bonds to ensure thai tr capitaL Is maintained In the slK)rt-Lerrn and to minirnise the need .EO selL volatsle investments when the , market is Low. We also K4ve negots'ated a £l.O rTvlllon overdraft faabry With Barctays to prevent the sale of Lorte Investments for sh)rt- Eefm cash clerrwJd5. Tr¥"s is secured on a debenture agalnst all ttr charlty's asset Every rF5k on tIE register has been r as5e5sed quarterLy, alongside their financIal InwacL and a number of risk rating5 and controls have been adjusted accordingly. Tr top ranked risks wlth snifiCant financial Impart at tr end of 2023-24 were: A cornmittee of trustees and indeperKlent ,ad50rS meets gUfarIY with the Lrlvestment rnanagers to review Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

"5k Action5 and mlllgatlon5 A successlvl iyber-attacks are mcreasing In treq¢Jenry ano soprn5ticatson an securtty breach due could potentsalLy d15able the charty's IT system& To rTvtsgate the to a cyber-attack risk, we have a concinLK)US wry)rovement program to keep our tectnology defences against cyber security risks der review. We have iryplernentEd ways of controutng span web access and adrninistraiive access conrrol using Mutii-Factor Aen[Ication. And introduced a number of measures such as meeting Nau'onal Cyber Security CentYE Standards for emall securtty and new ways of re5tr5cting acce5S to ow services. r charity achieved Cyber Essentials accreditation and in the coming year, we expect to be(off accredited to Cyber Essentials Plus. conform 10 NHS DC81596 standard for our cLI)ud services and strerfjn IS027001-reLited control& Flure of the Mitlgats'on comes from reguLaf scenariD-based financial MOde.n9, investment In and Improve[rts we are maklng to better understand the fvndrai%ng to needs of dlfferent Customer groups, monrtor the perforrrkince deuver ts required of our fundra151ng activides and be more responslve to new opportltIe& Breach of our duty Miilgarlon cornes from effectlve HR policles, alth and safety of care to our p0cleS and safeguarding procedures, as well as approprTaie volunteers and Manernet systems and an effective compliance framework to t1clarIeS enre thai cLY wrth atL legal and re9uiatory requiremems and good practice. 5iness Conrinuty We have developed a crisis management plan 3nd iry)roved FaiLure resilience In our systems. We witl be moving applications and data serrfices to the cloud and undertaking more scenario planning to mits'gate trds risk We are working with key 5pIlerS to ensurE tt their trAJsiness continuity plans are effecrive. Progressrrfe Loss of We are a¥vare of financ1 pressures that the NHS and locat Contracts autknrities face. We are mitigatlng this risk ty wioriti'sation of our engagement 10 secure Iny)rovpments in 5tfoke semces. We are rrnnitoring 5ervlce5 under threat and taking a prw..ctFve role In cwntering tsm. GDFII Coryuance We control tty5 risk through mandatory staff GDPR training and Failu ongoing process reviews arrK)ngst other attJ'vitie& We undertook an external review of dats protection and are irrplerrerrting tr recOmmat10n strok&or4uk 107

Our structure, governance and management We've prepafed thls Trustees. Annval Report, according to In accordance wlth FRS IOZ (Xir report a150 rrEets . Ehe requirernent5 far a direttor5' report set out In the CoTryanies Act 2006 the Charitie5 and Trustee Investtr*nt {ScotLandl Act 2005. the Chariues Accounts (Scotland) Regutations 2006 .-and Chanties Art 2011. Sections on 'FinanciaL rev?ew tor year. and 'Prinupal risks and uncertainties. Included wlthin 'Trustees' report. meet tr requirernents for a straiegic report as outlined in the Corryjanies Act 2006 ,, (Strategic Report and Directors. Report) Regulations 2013. We prepared tr fi'nancial statements In accordance with the accounting potscie5 Set out on 143 to 149 of the attached fi'nanciaL statement Objects of the charlty Our chanty is govemed in accordance with our Article5 of Association (last amended 18 November 20191, which sets our 5trucwre aThd purpos The obj'ects of charty are for the relief ol sickne55 and distres5 and for the advancerrEnt of health ty.. Working for the preven(Fon of stroke. EthKating the wblj'c In aLL rr44tters contemlng strok Carrying OUL promoting or sponsoring research into preveniion or treatmenl of Stroke or other CondiOn5 where the efferts are 5irniLar 10 5uoke, tkE rehabilt'tation and Lormj-ienn care crf stroke Sw41v and publlshirmj the usefuL results of such SearCh. Responding to the need5 caused by efferts of stroke, or oiher COrlI10n5 where ttE effects are simlLir to stroke, by providlng advice and support to those affected their famj'lj'es and carer . Status The Stroke Association 55 a charitable company l1rned by guarantee, Incorporated on 25 March1899 and registered in England and WaLe5161274). Stroke A550ciatlon Is reglstered as a charrty in England and WaiEs (No. 2n0151, In Scotland ISC03n891, the Isle of Man 19451 and ler5ey (2211., it atso operates as a charty in Norttrwn Ireland. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

strok&oryk

Trustees and govemance As reported earlier, we are also working towards irnproving dlverslty of ow Board. The trustees govem our diarity and act a5 ..directofs under company law. Coltectively our uustees constitute the Board of the Stroke Associatlon. We are iryLementing the reComndalionS from the extemal review of our governance that w35 undertaken135t year. We are pleased that this review concluded Ihat our charity is ldaMentallY garfemed and tlgtly controlled, with a high quauty and commltted governance function. As part of the recommendations, we are focussirmj on four areas" Trustees have a duty to act in a way that Promotes the chanty's purposes and are responsible for Setting and monitoring progress agalnst our strategic otyectfve& Setting Et highest SndardS and deuvering 9ood 9overnae and Leader5hlp. Erwring that charity's resowces are only used for Its charitable objectives, in Ihe best interests of its benefi'ciaries. and in cornptiance with alt relevant st3tLrtory and regulatory oblJ9ations. Accelerating our strategy, Being Custoryr first so that we iryrove cusLorrEr reath value and irr4)acL Significandy gr¢Milng our incorne throw exploring new financi lryoving Board diverstty. hen Tewing our aim5. objectives ."and future plans. the trustees conftmi they've compbed [h Iheir duty under tt ChariEies Act 20TI and have feferred ID tr Charity Commission's general gndance on pubbc benefiL The Board deLegates the 3Lrthofrty to rronage d3y-tO-day busine55 to the Chief Exewtive. assisted by the Executive Directors Team IEDT). The Board approves the chaw's suategy. at ttk proposal of the Chief Executlve and EDT. Tro CINef ExeartNe is responsible for implementinq the agreed strategy and pobae CAJr Board TrEets fw times a year, as weu as rrlIng for a strategy away day . dedicated to focuslng on our long-term ptan5 and Strategy. Board and committee , meetlngs are a mix of face-t(Ff3ce and remote meeiings on Microsoft Tearn5. Our govemance arrangements adhere to the Charity Governance Code for Large [kirt[jeS and are reviewed annualLy. We adIre fulLy 10 tr* code except that the size of our Board Is larger than . reconvnended to renect the breadth of ' our actNities and geographical spread. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Our commlttees Recrultmeflt and appolntment of trustee5 r 8oard currently has three committees and one subiommittee that rr*et reguLirly throughjut Ihe year to focus on aspects of tharlty In more depth, These ar We regularty reviert skill5 and dlversity of our Board to guide us when reuuitsng trustees and committee merrTbers. Th15 aL50 5tspporCs cxjr succession planning. This year we have appointed new recruttment advisors to help u5 ensure that ow Board arKI committees have a strorkg and drverse mix of people. skius afKI expertise. Financial Performance Committee scnJtini5es our financial and comrnercial affairs, a5 well as our lundraising. Audit and Risk Cofnmittee - 5CllJtinise5 our ftnancial statements, ftnancial control systEms, Internal and eernaL authL and risk rnanagerrt process_ Investment Commlttep - a subcorT¥Thttee of FinanclaL and Performance Corrrnittee ttrknit develops and rnalntatns our pouaes relating to Investments, selecr5 and rN)nitors our Investment rnanagers. and monitors and evaluates inve5trrnt perfomiance, serwce and C05L Govemance and Renxmer3ts0n Committee - oversees the effective governance of the charity (including the corry)05ttion of Board and the recnjitrnent and IndLKtion of Injsteesl and the pay, beneftts and condiuons of service for employees. We have a rigorou5 and conpetitNe trustEe recruitment process set ¢yJt in our Trustee RKruitmenr Poucy and Procedure documents. This Includes public advertislng and may incLude the use of execuiive Search Specia5[5 10 identify sultable candidates. Selected candidates artend InteNiews. We have independent advFsof5 to brlng additional expertise and diversity to our committees. We also Ikave a programmÈ of 5UPPOrt and tralnirKJ for volunteers Sntere5ted in trusteesNp in futu No trustee may Sen for rrrf)re than nine years. unless there are excepdonal circum5t3rice5. A5 a SuLt of st yearfs extemaL -governance review recomTrEndations, we are considering merglng our Anancial Performance Corrmittee and our Audit and Rlsk Committee and are revieviing the remit and responsibilities of the new committe strok&or4uk

Trustee inductlon and development New tnJ5tees and non-trustee Independeni ad50[S receive inductl(J training to Inform them abotN the charity and our work, and to ensure they have an appropriate LeveL of understanding ol , charity goverrtrance and Etr* legaL dutie5 of charity trusiees. This Includes trainirKJ In the charity'5 activiUe5 arKI operations, governance, 5trdlL43y and finarKe5. All tTr15tee5 and non.trustee independent advisor5 have acces5 to ongoing training, U51ng Inlemal and external resouTie5 . to SUPPOrt them In thelr tieS and re5ponsibiLitses, DeveLoprrEnt of trustees .-and non-trustee Independent advisors È5 -a wular Item in all appfaisal disCU55ions wlth trustees. At our 2024 Trustee away day we identifd a trainlng programff for tr year aad. 112 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Our trustees and non•tru5tee Independent advlsors Tiusloo nt r•nety Camrnlttee Brd Andrew knchsbald BA (Honsl MSC Dr Davld BLth MBbS DRCOG MRCGP Hannah Caictrpool Bsc IHon51 Msc DCM MAAT CA Pralessr A¥rii Dr[MYftd SID Fas¢ DEP COT KOT Ed Garcez Bst (Honsl Msc FPC 75V. Mce Cfralf (MeJ&caU. GRC, ARC IC FPC 0% ARC Cmtr ARC 75% ARC vJo%. 75% K•ttv1r GlespIe MA IHonsl Msc M5cR Vlce Chali hypolnted Vlce Chalr ¢Lay)18 October 2023 GRG ARC FPC 0% Ceri jackson Professor M3rtln lama MRCP MD CC5T FRCP FPC 75% 0% Ctrkilr, Cpolr GRC Stephen Kkng MBA FCMI GRC FPQ IC 0% Lee BA(Htyks> CA FPC Chatr FK IG Cac KIO% HaThln(kr Rattan ACCA ARC 25% Roblnsm 8 Med Sd BM BS MRCP MD FRCP FE50 Rrfked18 October 2023 0% George SpEntzos 8ASt M&4 CFA IC Ch* IC FPC 0% Vlce Chalr (Layl Rewed18 Oaober 2023 GRC. A IQ FPC N)0% Dr Nlamh Kennedy Bsc IHon5) MA P Appoinied18 October 2023 0% Professor Rustsrn AL.Shahl S•Lman BA {Honsl MB t MRCP IUK) FRCP Ed FHEA FESO Fmedsd Appointed IB Oct4Jbef 2023 0%. strok&or4uk

.' Register of interests for trustees ErnploYMts and appolntments Trustee Andrew Arch'bald CornmeTcial Dlrectuf, MDU Pffjfessor ol k1è3tttr£a Researth at unhsEty of NottIngrn Occaslorbil and IKmorary appointments 4t vaflovs unlversltles lor N(jnM)Qrs, evalvth, FYO É¥Amlnlr4 Jrkshops etc Chaff . European Ltte aft.er Slroke Scletttlftc Coffmktee TAte. ELu3beth Casson FTroundation for Occupatsonal Ttrttapy Menknr ¢1 swerat researth ftKKllng cof1l(ES Indud Senlof cl4¥ ol trt NIHR Doaorbi CknnlcalAcadefftic Docthral logr•ivne N&ned menior on a nLmber af stroke Associayon grants Chair lor the Llfe alter Stroke Domakn forthe revlsion ot tt ActloD Flan lot Sltoke in Ewope or)-Executive Director to the We15h knthlance Suvice5 NHS Trust (WAST) Ifffenrn Vice Chalr- Wetsh AMbJEan IOL1220231 Cerl Jackson Chatr of tt Sodety Iiy A$s15nce ol Methcal F4vnlUe5.. d bJcklE Non%ec HertfordshlrE HospltaL5 NAS Ttust Norpexec Sailsbury NHS FoJndJtion Tw T[ee- Crolm's and cOS (UK Sepi 2023 Dire(ior Ilnterim, E55ex County Colclu Je to corrmence as Assodale l advlsor- 31ten Con5uitry Trustee, Tre Tapscoo Leamh4 Trust Chalr oi Alli and Rith ConYnlttW Trt Tapscott L&imthg Tnjst . Chef Inrnt Offl¢tr. Futyre 30 Fun(ts Ed Garcez rorye 5peTrt2O5 Hannah Catclyool Parinff a RSM UK Board TrUse of Gwdwara Slkh Sangat LondM Eas¢ Ickwty Reg. 278097) Governor Bamet & Swihyte College Dlrecror; Yaclwry tlntefnatsonau Corrpany Unmted TIA EXpef RÉd(th>n knaly5ts. 114 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

TrUse Employments and appolntments Lee Trus - The Endrick Trust IGi2swl Direcior - Stroke A5sociatson ITtsdingi Ltd KattRrlr GILe5ple Consuitsnt Stroke Physjdan - RoyaL I)thon Urdverslty HeaitPtsre NHS FndatIon Tnj Cknical Pfofe$50r at the Une(sIty of Exetef MedicaL s(101 Cbnical Director ol the narional srroke audit SSNAP and sltlng Pfofewr. Klng s Couege LondLYJ Martift Jarrs anth Kemetty IAstw Unlvetslty ' Rustam .Shth Saiman TJustee ol Harper Coujns Exeojtive Penslon 5cfome n7th May 20181 Chatr of Integrated Care 24 INHS Soaai Entaprlse) (vlth effect from l Awll 2019) Dlrpaor ot Strokn Assodallon (Tradlngl Lurdted sknphen thg strok&or4uk

folLowlng Independent advisors bvere in office and served thrwJlK)ut the year, except where stated. Non.trustee IndepeNlent ad¥lsor AppOInte reslgnedl retlred Commlttee Helena Eolon Ic 8en Malttrw Ic L Stahlry BA ACA Chnstow*r Queree lasrm P¥ker U ACA Reslgned 20 JJLY 2023 ARC Ic App)hKed18 Octthr 2023 Trey Bul CA APCIP .Appoinied18 October 2023 ARC Committee mernber5hlp key ARC - Audit and Risk CoMmite FPC - Financial Performance Cornmittee ' IC - Investrnent Committee , GRC - G(Mrnance and Reryer3don Committeé (See strokery.Uk1Our9eople for fijrther trustee detaits). Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Statement of re5ponsibilitie5 of the tru5tee5 The trusiees confirm that In 50 far as they a aware, there is no relevant atKlit information of which the Suoke Association's audiEor15 naware. The tru5tee5 have iaken au tr* steps Itw they OLNJht to have taken in order to make EtEmsetve5 aware of any relevant al[1 information and to establlsh that the auth'tors are aware of that Information. The trustees are responsible for preparing the 'Trustees' Report. and the fi'nanoal Statements in accordance with appUcabLe law and Und Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Klngdom Generally Accepied Accounting Practice), Corry>any law requi5 the trustees to prepare frianoal stsrerynts foi each hnancial yEar trh3t a true ano falr vlew of the State of affair5 of charitabte company and the group and of the incorne and expendiwre of the group for that perlod. The iru5tee5 are re5pon5iblÉ for the rnalntenance and Integrity of the coq)orate and tinanclaL information included on ctk3rity'5 websiie. Legisl3tion In the uned Kingdom goveffilng the preparation and disserninaiion of h'nancial staternents may differ from LeglatIon In otr isdictions. In p paring flnancial ststeffwts, trustees are required 10: Select suitable acc(xmting pots'cies and apply trem consistenrly. Make judgerrntS and e5tsTTkltes that are reasonable and Pfudeni. Srate Wtrther applicable United Kingdom Accouniing Standards have been foLLowed, subjert to any maierial departure5 disclosed and explalned in the flnanci3l statements. Prepare the hnancial 5tatement5 on the going concem ba5$5 unLes5 It is Inapproprlaie ro presume thai the charity wllL continue in operatson. The trustees are responsible for maintaining propef accounting iecords ai strK)w and explain with asonable accuracy the tknandal positlon of charky and enable tIrn to ensure that the ftnancial statements compLy with the Companies Act 2006, the Charitles and TnJ5tee Investment IScotlatKI) Act 2005 and Ckorities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. They are also responsible for safeguardirvj the chaiity's a55et5 and for taking reasonable step5 to prevenl and detett fTaLKI and other irregularities. strok&or4uk

Tru5tees' duty to promote the 5ucce55 of the Charity - Section Ir2 statement We deeply value our relationshlp with Stroke 5LKvlvors and thelr farnitses. We Lmder5tand that stroke support ts vital 10 inspire and main13in strength Ihat survrvors wllt need to face the long and gruelLlng journey to recovery. so vve provlde iailored support serlices that are right fof thefn. Trustees have a duty to art in good faith . 10 promote the succe55 of the charity for the benefit of it5 StakehoLdef5 and In dolng so are required by section 172 01 the Conpanies Act 2006 to have regard . to variotjs facLor5. The 5taterr£nt below sets out how the charity has had regard to Ihose factors In tr past >Eaf". The Impact of the comparrf5 operatlDns on the communty and the environment We have adopted ethlcaL 5tandard5 for our activit5e5 and InveSrrrnts. We comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice and have strirKJent gift acceptance poucies to ensure our lundraising compLIES with the hSghe5t 5tandartls. We have adopted Green Plan 10 minimlse erpnrontrenL3t Inyact of ow atttvlll'es, The Ukely conSeqLnceS of any dec151on In the long term trustees make all key dectsions with ' rpference to the charity's broader Long- . term strategy aTKI arnbiiion to help alL stroke suNvors both present and in the future. The desirability of the comp maintalnlng a reputation for high standards of buslness conduct The interests of the ccfflpatys employee5 We alrn to make the chartty a good place to work for our employees. We consult wlth LINK, our effployee representatsves . on au major aspects of working at the chaflty, Such as the ierrrs and conditions"" of eryloyrnent, employee weubelng, Leamlng and development and diversity and Inclusion. We acEively support ways of working that are safe and sec We beueve that rnalntainlng a reputatlon for high standards of semce dellvery and business conduct is fUndaOn(aL to the longer-term 5vcces5 and vlabiuty of the chanty, We keep this In mind in everyth'ng we do from recwitment and resourcing, the sethng of poUcle5 and procedures, the choice of 5uppbers and partner5 we work witty the Level of r15k we are prepared 10 accept and the govemance and monituring arrangements put In place. Thi5 Include5 setts.ng appropriate ethical standards for charity for our operations and our InVestrnts. The Treed to foster the companys buslne55 relatlonshlps wlth 5uppUers, customers and others We recognise that the charity can ' only succeed if our re131ion5hips wrth ' commissioners. fLfftders, donors and key suppuers continue 10 thrive. We , artively engage In 5ervlce review5 wlth ' our coMNs510ners and funders and . reguLirly fewew wr relationshlps with ' our key suppLiers. These are two-way . relatlonshlps,. we seek w3y5 to achieve . rTWJtuaLLy desirable outcomes. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

The need to art falrLy between members of the cornpany The organisation, being a charitable company limited by guarantee, does not". have shareholder5 and Its merrthrs are miied to the dlrect015 01 ttrE company ' {l.e. the trusteesl. ALI dlrertor5 recelve . the saffE Inf0mtIon ab¢wt strategy. operations and finances of ctknirity and have eqLJaL voices in all key decision- making. strok&or4uk 119

Ovr leadership team 'On 31 Marth 2024. the member5 of our EDT were: let troure OBE u <0).DMs Dofrmnic Brants Bsc IHons CNefE1eaKè Execullve Director, Strate9y, Insi and TecthoLogy Andrew Cook BSC (Horsl Msc Icarrtabl. Oytsthpr Fyfe Bsc Mst CPFA Alexls KolodeJ ctff15tophEr Rennlsoft apD FCMI Executfve DIreCr. Flnante Executlve Dlrector. PeoplE Andrew Cook Left tre charity In April 2024. Chari Hlngorani IA550ciate Directur of Legacie5 Engagement) and Ka[rine Staley (Associate Director of Customer Cafe and Suppon) jointly covered tK5 rote on an Interim basis. We are pleased to announce Ehat jackie Harborloineil Ikk Stroke A550ciation a5 Andrew Cook's gJccessor on 30 Sepiernber 2024. Reg15ter of Interests for EDT EDT EmpioymuAt & appakntsnonts Al2xls KoiodLleJ None Dlrector d Stroke Assoclatlon rfradlng) Llnlted Trustee at Age Intemauorjal Trustee al HpWg• Intertwuonal ChrIsto Fyfe None ChrlstQFof Rennl 140Th-Executive Director ts'ncolnshire Rural H5 DcKnlnic Brand None BDard rrThl)ef of Warfd stsoke Organlsailon Merrthr of NHS Assen>Ly (Engd) Co.Chalr NHS Engknd Siroke Deuvery Board Chatr of RIChrThd GrcKry) ¢1 Charlues ,See stroke.orguklour-people for rnore informatlon about our leadership team. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Ovr people In last T2 JfK)ntr6. we pubts'shed 'Our approach to soLvtng inequiry in stroke. report. Th15 new approach help5 U5 to understand the barriers to equalFty, diversity. and incLusion In our charity. aLso empower5 US to take actsons that WIIL address ihose barriers. Our approath to soLvirKJ Inequity in stioke makes clear what actlons we've committed 10, lo create a More equltable Stroke Associaiion for our staff, volLnteers and everyone affeaed by stroke. We're privileged to tHve 802 staff (as of 31 March 20241 and more than 7,400 . volunteefs across the UK, incLudlng lersey and the Isle of Man (between l April 2023 and 31 March 2024), wh) VKirk hard to get .the best for stroke SVIvOrs, their tamltse5 and friends. We want to make sure our staff feel vaLued, tEard and supported. so itry can do thelr best work for people affected by stroke. Nearly aLI our staff work trom Ix)me and Uve throughwt thJf area of activity. Opportunitte5 are avBilable to alL our staff includirrfj those with di5cLosed dSsabltsEies or speci17c needs. for training, career deveLopment and proryM)tson. We make reasonable adju5tTnents fur people wth adltIOnal need5 during the appUcats'¢) pf¢xess. when they sLIrt at our clk3rtry and throughoui time with us. We review the adp5tments regularly 10 make sure they're eting the indivlduaL's current needs. We regLrtarty consult employees via LINK, our staff consuLtation forum, LINK is made up of IS representstive5 from aT(yJnd . Ehe organisation, covering all levels and locaiJiie5, To make sure we represent different Uved experience5, UNK panel Includes deifiicaied seats for colteagues tr(Kn Our network groups, including stroke survivors. UNK Listens to feedback from our staff and meets with senior leaders -.and IDT at least foLK time5 a year (or rTh)re Ire(wenily at 11ryS of slgnthcant change} 10 Infomi and consutt on the Is5S Y raise. We also provEde access to tEalth benefits and support to alL of (Jur staff, including a heaLth cash plan, crttical illness cover and EmpLoyee Assistance ProgranwY with access to ccxjnselllng. LINK reviews our remuneratlon pollcles, and change5 affetting aLL errplDyee5 are discussed in depth. There 15 UNK repre5entaiion on our Pension G(Nemance Board, Safeguarding Gernance 803rd and othef groups to ensure our people are at the trEart of organisationaL decisions that affect our staff. We engage wr staff and volurTteers In rnany ways, to connea ttEm to our straiegy, our work and each other, Last sEar ran Connectival again, a rnulti- day rerrnte event where staff can diaL Into sessions on a rarbge of toplc5. Ttr C3n Leam frorn suoke survivors, stroke profes540nals and resear(tr5 and trar dlrertly from our staff networks. Staff can also attend montNy 'Ask Juuet. Q&A sessions with our Chief Executive and executive team, as weLL as reguLar webinars wrth ternaL and extemal speakers. We also have active staft net)rkS who offer peer support to each other as VlL as Influencing staff poucy and processe& This Includes stroke survivor5, Asiary black. arKI minority ethnic comrwnities. LGBTQ+ and disabltsties staff networks. as welL as peer support groups for menopause, parental , Leave, carers, and neurodlver5ity. We hold simiL3r webinars for our volunteers. on role-speciflc topics, and keep them Informed of tre charity's work through regular newsletters. strok&or4uk

We conts'nue to focus on a progressive yrkIng culture and ensurlng our beneftts and flexible working arrangement5 relain and attract be5L peopLe and their . ialent5. Our Wmover and sickness raies ' remaln low and one ol best within the "charity Sector benChnrks. Executive pay, Our executlve pay Is rtwiewed annually and Is benchmarked with other 5aLanes In the sector. Our Chlef Éxecuttve's salary lor 202> 24 wa5 £155,509 lexcluding errYl0r'5 pension and Natj'onal Insurance contributions). Guided by Ihe Ass130 of Charity Chlef Executives, IACEVO) best practice advice on pay transparency, we pubtish our Chief Execirtive's current salary on websiie. 15troke.org.uk/executlvtrpay}. Ovr approach to pay We're committed to being open and .transparent at)OLrt work that we do, about the money that we ra15e and we Spend IL We lIeve the charity 5eaor strKxJLd not "and cannot compete with the comrrrcial sector on pay. However, we want to make sure thai we're able io attraa and reGwn the best people. so we TeguLarly review our pay and benefits to bring trn In tsne wth other charitles. Our Executive Directors, (Key Management Personnel) salaries for 2023-24 lexcluding errploypr's pension and NationaL Insurance coniribuuons) were within the range of £93,256 and £118.917. depending on ttir experience and market berKhmark We need to be financially 5UStainable. b we know that the rising cosi of LNing is a real worry for many ot our peopL@ After careful consideratlon ar consulration wth LINK, we were pleased to r3ise saiarle5 by 5Vo lor all staff on alL salary -grades fTom1 ApriL 2023. WtrEn setting seniof salaries, our trustees are guided by the principles set out in the report on Charity Senior Execu Pay by the National Colmcll for VoLuntary OrganisaOns, whlih Is SilPPOrted by tr Charity Comm15510n. Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Our Ethical and Responslble Investment Policy Our ESG principles Our charity airrs to Insplre stroke survivors to gather the determinats.on and strength they need to ryke their best recovery, EnvironmentaL soclal afKI govemance issues a at heart of en5urlng we do thi5 properly. We beLlevE [se issue5 are everyone's responsiblLity and il'5 ourpb as a charity to try to lead by exarylo . C)Jr EthicaLand Responsible Investrrnt Poucy guides InveStnI decssions of our c1¥3rity's Investirnt manager and alL staff, trustees and advlsors whr) are involved p13nning or authorising Investmeni of fwr charity's hjnds. It fleCts the principLes of our tharity'5 Ethlcal Pokn'cy to behave In a sociaLLy re5pon5ibLe way, and to make decisions that wotect our beneficianes, . deman5trate our integrlty and vaLues. and Inspire txjblic trust and conh'dence. We already ty to be as 5LlStainable, equitable, accountable and transparent as we can in our worklng practices ID make Sure we'fe Uving our value¥. ChJr ethical and responsible inve5Ement prlncipLes are: We are hjman, We belleve in better. We gwe our alL We say it as lils. We vvllL rKYt Invest in organlsations if re is evldence to 'nk t1r rfkiin products or se(eS to a 51gnthcant increase In the risk of stroke or poor stroke outcornes. We SLPPOrt and promote pubuc tEalth initlatives lo rEduce stroke risk factors. We wilL not invest in companies that undermine or fru5trare ttse inidatives, We rnay invest In organisations, programmes or projerts that could signrficantly irrprove stroke outcorr We fav¢yJr organisaDons vfith a positive attttude towards ErwironmentaL Social and Governance IESG) matters, especiaLly if tY art to reduce Stroke r15k in their workforce or society. We try to avoid Investrnerits that could be seen as LmSUitabLe for 3 trEathpron¥)ting charty, Th15 InclLMSes high stakes gambbng, high Interest money lendlrKJ, or companies with a reputatjon for poor ESG corry)tianc There are eXaleS of how we're doing itr¥s throLKJhout our reporL These include publ15fvng 'Our approach to soliyng Inequity In stroke, report, Launchlng our new People System and investing in 5klUs. We also adopted a new ethical nvestment poLJ'cy, as welL as new prooJrerrnt paes. We will continue to bulld, develop and Irrprove on this vrfork in the year to Cof to help us to ensure the susralnablLJty of our chadty afKI Improve our abltsty to bulld on our cnbLe obFctsves. strok&or4uk

Energy and carbon reporting The Independent review (arried o by Moore Klngston Smith c(>nfird CoMpance in relation 10 the UK Govemment's SECR framework and ttr Energy SAvlng Opportunitie5 SCIrne (ESOSI. The lollowing tabLe demonstrates Our performance yEar on year as part of UK Govemmenys SECR. Data in relation to 2023-24 has been foryT4J13ted IniemaLIy In ne with the UK Govefnrrent Green House Gas Conversion Factors NHS EngLifFd r5 Climate Change Dirties enshrined inio the HeaLth and Care ACE 2021 To meel these dutle5, It has committed to bec0ry a Zero Carbon organisatson by 2045. This includes workin9 With Stroke Associatson and other paft5 of ttEir 5uppLy chain and commis510ned servicos to ensure fuiL abgnment with this pian. 2023. The NHS Net Zero SJppts"er Roadmap requires suppLlers of all new contracts from 2023-24 onwards above £5 mlLtion peryear to FKJbtish a Zero Reduction Plan for their UK Scope l and Scope 2 erni5sion5 arbd a subset of Scope 3 emissions, Across Is UK-based annual energy usage and associated greer*trK)u5e gas emissions from l April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Th5 reknites to our office location- based con5ufTPtion and vehicLe tea Slnce the prLViOUS report we have released a fijrther three propertbes, PLease note thal we have found discrepancies in previous reports. This is to our extemal con5uLtants 1nWttu incorrect data In relation 10 gas Usage. We have collated the data within this rep¢xt Internally and have arnended the previou5 years gas consumptson figures. To support NHS Net Zero Roadmap we have pUb'Shed a Carbon Reduction Potlcy. To ats'gn with tre NHS, we have decided to retr05pectively Set a baseline of 2019 and have collated emi55ions data undef the folLowng categofies as part of our StreamLlne Energy and Carbon Reporting ISECR),, Intenslty ratlo Scope l - gas and conyany owned vehldes. kope 2 - purctklsed elettricity. S(ope 3 - employee vetH'cles used In busines5. The Intenslty ratio Is total emlssions In metric tonnes C02e (Tnandaiory ernis5ion5} per employee. The calculation s tonne5 of carbon divided by total nurrthr of ernployees. TN5 metric is consldered the m05t relevant to the ch3rity's energy congjming acuvities and provides a good comparison ol performance over t6trE. In February 2024, our extemal audltors Moore Kingston Smith carried out. a review arKI subsequent report to surrThari5e findlngs. Includlng recofTwnendation5 for the next step in ' our loumey to fuLL Scope 3 discLoSUfe. MaieriaL Scope 3 caiegories wlll InctsJd&' Purclwsed goods or seryice& Waste generated In operatK)ns. Jslness traveL Employee ccNYmLrting. Envestment Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

d35,906 374.803,, Id 456 259,747 264200 256,421 chased eieclrltlty Tran500n fuel 601282 80d.,718 TotaLenergy1rn3ndatory) 825,165 1,125.229 1,281211 20n.22 2022-23 202>24 Scope I Gas 79.9 47.4 46.8 Transport- corrpèny owned vehicles Scope 2 Kthased eLectrtclty ¢Locatlon-based) Scope 3 Category 6. ETryAoye&owned vehlcie5 Tol•Lwoss {maalory) Inten51ty Tatlo (mand31ory em1551•ns only) Tonnes of C02e peT numbef of eiry)loyees 13.6 418 14&3 246fj ', 198.5 026 0.35 ope2 rthased eiectriclty (market.basedl Caie90ry 6. Bu51ne5s travel (air rail) 417 2Jg Inienslty ratio Ito(aL Location*ased emissions) Tonnes ol C02e per efrM)loyees Intenslty ratlo (totaL market4•ased emlsslons) Tonnes ol C02e w eryployee5 0.26 0.35 0.35. 03 We are currently looking into ways In wfthch V can reduce transpon fueL Tros wit[ inctutje changing way In wlych Y collate data in retation to type ol vehtcLes used. This wllL . reduce thi's hgure V4fien corry)itsng reports for fubJre year strok&or4uk 12S

Ovr envlronmentaL aim5 Compliance Informatlon We're committed to improvlng our envIronnnIal su5ralnablb'ty, so we can play our part in i1rnng (he damaging effect5 of ctimate char)ge and ueatlng a greenef world for of u& Governance and compliance Each year the Board receives an annual compLJ'ance reporL a consoijdaled report coverlng alt compliance affectirKJ [tr charity. suth as dala breaches, sericKJs Incidents reported to the Charity Corrwni55ion, safeg4Jardsng and whisilebiowng, NHS information governance requirements, cornplaints. health and safety, and CompanCe with UK GDHI. Moving to remote working and disposing of over 95Yè of Our properties ha5 hElped us to reduce cKJr direct emissions pef employee by almost two-thirds since 2020. A5 part of aur corrmiiment to )portlng LJK GovemrrEnVs net zero straiegy, y continue 10 look for way5 to become more energy effi'cient by nnit(KIrj energy use and setting . decreasing targets for the future. The report on the year 202>24 strWed strong overall compknance. We are rrrnbers of the A550ciati<)n of Medic2L Research Charitles IAMRC) and adhere to Iheir research go4rnance pOlle5 and regutatsons. In January 2024, we 4reed a Carbon Re(Jucilon Potscy. This potscy wlll . be knrther developed by way of the Irry)lementation of 3 Carbon Reduttion Plan, whlch LI replace the Green Aan, We also amended our InvesurRni Poucy to111 exclude investments in corrpanies .that derive more than IOYO of their revenLFes from the saLe and extraction of f05s1I fuels and12) begln rfM>ves 10 reduce the carbon Intensity of our Investments. In llne with our obugations 35 an NHS contractor we have cornrnitted to achieving nei zero emissions ty 2045, with an 80Vu reduction by 203&39. Safeguardlng and wh15tlebLowlng Our safeguardlng and K4&5t(eblowlng pr(xedures to. Protett service users from abuse or tEalth concems from Ot1r5 or [trmSelves. Addre55 InrnaL Issve5 a corscem dlrectly relates to our employees aridlor votunteers. We recorded158 reported safegu3rdlng ca5e5 between April 2023 and March 2024, None of tfrEse case5 reLaEe to OLK employees or volLfftteers,' rarher. these a safeguardlng issues that we Identlfy In the LNe5 of benefitlaries that we support. An oveNiew of cases is dlscussed at our safeguardlng govemance meeting every quaner, where organ15ati.onal Learn9 is slkired and aLso reported to the Board through the annual govemance report We ld no whlsttebLowing cases In 2023-24. 126 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Serlous Incldents and fraud We also aim to meet the NHS Data Coordinatlon Board1596 IDCB1596) SLandard for our cloLKI seNices. The DCB1596 is the secure email standard for-. health and care organisations designed to reduce cybersecurlty risks In emaiL comrTrJnications. FurtlwrrK)re, we are gearing up to strengthen IS02700 relaied controls. IS027001 Is the global standard for ImpLernentsng Infafmation Secunty Management Systems. In thls financial year. we reported 'one serious inodent to tP Charity Cornmission. This related 10 a data securTry breach at one of our data Pfocessor5. For fulL detaits see betlml. Data protection ' thr Inforrnation Govemance Board 15 chaired by our Executive Director of strategy, In519ht and Tecthology. Data protectlon 15 di5CU55ed guLarlY at EDT and Board meeiing5. Our A550aate Director of Legal and Govemance is the Char,$ Data Protectson Officer. In addition. fft twve revlewed our data protection processes, procedure5 and record5 Using externat advisors and wSti irnpLemeni their fecommendaDons in tt comlng year to further 5trerWhen our practices in th5 area. Dunng 2023-24, we reported one data , breach to the Information Commi55ioner'5 Office IICO) and ttr Charity Commission. This related to a data breach ai one of our sth)-contractors that processes SUPPOrter daL3 on our behalf. breach occurred despite the sulKontrattor having high data security arrangements and accreditations, and ts ICO and Charity Cornmisston have conhrmed to us that no regulatory acti¢M wlll be taken In reEatlon EO this incident. In addition. we trkive trh3d two Incidents wtrere, due to operational errors, lundraising email5 were sent to wrong contingent of supporters. We are taking steps Eo prevent 5irnilar Incidents from ppening in the futvre, In 2024-25, we expert to athEve Stronger . da security accredit31ion. Th"Is inclixles accreditation by Cyber Essential Plus, wfrmch is the higlEst tevel of certification provided by the Cyber E55entAals sctEme ,and incle5 a deeper audit of our systerns to ensure we rr*et rigorous secuTity Standards. strok&or4uk

' Fvndrai5Ang To read It In fiJlL visit strok&org.uk/y¢)ur- supporL We also have a Gambung Social Responsibilj'ty Policy and a VLtherdblb"ty and Fundraising Poucy. We're committed to fair. nest and ethical fvndra15Ing and strive for the hlghest possible standards. We raise money for our tharlty in a variety ol ways, inclLKling working with corporate sworters, philanthropists, tnjsts and many genercNJs indlviduals who donate Ehr0h our appeals and take part fundraising events. FurKlralslng regulatlon We're reglstered wtth the Fundraising Regulator and adhere 10 its Code of Fundrdising Practice and Ftsndrai51ng Promise. We have a dedicated monitoring programme in place to ensure compllance wlth tts code and Yilth best practice In fundraising generally. We strive for best practice In fundraising and comply with all relevant Statutory regulations. including the ChaTitses Att 2011, the Chantses IPrDtection and Social Ivestynent> Act 2016, the Daia Proiertion Act 2018, UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electri)nic comfrnICall0ns Regulallons 2003. We also screen agalnsi the Tetephone Preference Service. It MalL Preference SeNtce and Fundraising Preference Serrflce. Different areas of fundraislng activity are re¥Wed on an ongoliig basis, including polj'cies. procedLKes and outbound communicatlons. '. Fundralslng on our behalf Vthere we engage 'professlonal fundraI5ers' (agencies) to fLff¥draise on o behalf, such as face-to-face, door-10-door ard teleptrK>ne actlw"tie5, we continually 'monitor and review our acuvitie5 10 make ttm a5 effective as P05sibte. In ljne wlth the Fundrdising Regulator's recofrrfrndati0n5, we also rrK)nitor our agencies through training, regular meetings and 'm)stery shopping, to ensure meet standards and high expectauoDs. We continue to V40rk in partnershlp with organisaiions lcorf¥rCjal partlcipatorsl pay us a return from 5aLe5 generated through (Kjr own channels and when offering a service or producL to stroke survivors. Complaints and feedback We value feedback from cxjr beneficlarie5 and stakeholders to help us develop and Improve. CMJr complaints F)otscy and procedure5 make it easy far people to raise concems with us and l*ip us to resr)Lve complalnts quickLy and efflcienrly. We also hotd reguLar 'le550ns leamed, meetings 10 better understand ere we can develop In the fvture. r suppwter promise We coffwwnlcate with (>ur 5UPPOrters In many ways, incLudlng appeal letters ieLephone caus, rafftes. TV advertising and online via our wRb5ite and 50clal medla. We are eXtre(Y grateftrt to everyone supports We have a 'supporter promise, to make gjre tlui everyone we Interact with leets respected and vaLued. and to rEassure our supponers that their data Is safe and secure with us. Durlng the year. we received a total of 194 complaints, a signthcant Increase on La51 year. Thi's was caused by ttr emall Incidents referred to under Data Protection above. 128 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

01 these,172 corTp131nts Lated to our funthai5ing actfvlties12022-23: 45). ', hlghest number of complaints were around emails1105 complaints) and '.door-tO-door hjndraising activity being unwanted by Lhe corylainants (52 complaints). In reiaiion 10 our ppOrt services, we recewed 22 cornplaints, up three from last year. Corrrnon ttrneS include a perceived Lack of support, pty)r COMThtnication or Is5 relating to volunteering/voiunteer group& AIL coryylaints %vere irwestigated . thorougNy, but there were no clear case5 of poor qUaty ol supporL We have leamed from these complaints. workiThJ with manJJer5 and 51aff to ensure we are providing the best possible support and that our 5eNice users know what they can expeci from us. Leamirbgs are also Ld In guidance and tralnlng for our staff. TrHS report con5tttutes the 5tatsrtury reports deSCrid on page108. This Trustees Reporc, Incorporating a Strategic ReporL was approved on betr11 of tt . Board by.. 'StEphen Klng Chair of Board Approved on16 Octobef 2024 strok&or4uk 129

Prnsldent HRH The 01KrtKG GCMG GCVO Pmle550r Tony RLrtJd CBE MA Icantab) MB Bctlr FRCP Vlre Prtgdent5 plessor Sir Charte5 Gecyge MB ChB MD Prolessor Daryt AvErll man5rd OBE Chm FRCS FRCP Margarei G0ts5e OBE MA FHSM FRSA trlon MFPH Flon FRCP Jon aarrick M8A DPRI> (trLLI FCMI Prufessor Hppa Tgrreu MBE MD FRCP st1 Kthng FCMI A51151ed on page5 114-115 Jth Bo(NeTle 08E Horf toxon) DMS Membus of the management team As Ilsted on pagÈ120 j.WIllemj0nker LLM stroke Assotiatlon House 240 Clty R(d London ECW2PR Re955teied offlce Teles* 0207 5660 300 Webslte stroke.org Emall 61274 {ErW arK1 Wales) 211015 IEh¥and 4ru1 WaLes) SC03778915coiiandl 945 (Isle of Man) .221 Uersey) Moore Kingston Smlth LLP 9 Ipol Streei London EC2A 2AP Bafcity5 PLC c I ChJrchliLFYa London E14 5HP Waverton Investment meMent 16 Babne5 Streei LorOn Chartty reg15tratlon nunknw5 Audltor lftvestrnent managws 130 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

r• stroke.orguk

Independent auditorfs report Opinion Have been piepared In accordance With the Companies Art 2006, 1 Chantie5 and Trustee Investment IScotL7ndl Act 2005 la5 ampndedl and regulallons 6 and 8 of the Charides Accounts (ScotLindl Regulations 2006 (as amended). We have wdited ftnanciaL statements of the Stroke Associatson (the parent charitabte company'l and It5 5ubsl(fiarie5 group'l for the year ended 31 , March 2024. which comprisÈ the GroLP .'Staterrent of Financial Acttvities, the Group Surnmary Income and ' Expenditure Account, the Group ar Parent Charitable Company Balance . StrEets. the Group Cash FLOW Statement -. and notes to the h'nancial sleMents, Including signfficant accounllng p0CleS. The hnancial reporting framework th4t ha5 been appLied In their preparation 15 appbcable law and United Kingdom Accourrting Standards, SncLuding Financial , Reporting StandaTd102 The Flnanclal , Reporting Standard appll'cable in the UK and Repubknc of Ireland (United Kirrfjdom ' GeneraLLy Accepted Accounting Ftrartice). Basis for opinlon We conducled our audit in accordance wlth InternationaL Standards on Auditing (UK) IISAS (UKII and appLicable Law. Our responsibilities undef those stsndards are further desuibed In tl Auditor's Responsibiuties for the audit of 'nanctal statements section of our teporL We are independent of thp charitable company in accofdance with the ethicaL requlrerrtnt5 Ihat are felevant io our audit of financial state1Tts In the UK, Including FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have futh"ILed our other ethical responsibl[leS In accordance with these requlrerrents. We bebeve that the audit evidence we have obtained15 Sufficient and approprlate to wovlde a basis for f opinion. In ow opinion the tlnanciaL statement Give a true and fair view of the stale of the group's and the parent ctrh3fitable Cofnpany s affatrrs as at 31 March 2024 and of the group's Incoming resources and appiF'caiion of resources, including its incon and expendrture, for t year tt*n ended. Have been properly prepared In accordance with United Kingdorn GeneralLy Accepted Account Practic 132 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Conclusions reLiting to golng concern If we identify such Material Inconsistenoes or apparent material mi55tatements. we are requlred to determine whEther there 15 a material misstatement In the financlal statements themseLves. If, based on tr work we have perforyned, we conclude that there is a rr43terial rnissiaiement af this otr Information, we are required to report that facL We nothing to rew)rt In thi5 regard. In auditing the fIrnCial ststements, we ',have concltsded that the trustees, use of .rhe golng concem basi5 01 accounting In the preparation of the h'nanoal statements is appropriate. ' 8a5ed on the work we have performed, we Iwve not identified any rnaterial Kertainties retating 10 events or conditions that. individually or coILeaively, nkiy cast signrf?cant doubt on the group'5 and paTent charitable cornpany'5 abiliiy to continue a5 a goiTTrg concem for a perlod of at least tweLve rronth5 from the financial statements are authorised for Issue. Opinion5 on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opfftion. based on the work undertaken in the (ourse ol the audir. Chjr responsibilitie5 and the responsibiLits"es of the trustee5 With respect to going concern are described In the relevant 5ectsons of thi5 report. The infomation given in the Strategic report and tru5tees' annuaL report". for the hnanciaL year for vthich the nancial 5Laleffnt5 are prepared Is consistent with the hnancial statements. The strategic report and the trusiees. 3nnuaL report tr&ave been prepared In accordance wrth appUcabLe requirements. Other information other inforrrkitton corTyrÈses the Informailon Included In the annual repor¢ ottr than the linancial statements and our auditor'5 repon thereon. The trustees are spOnsible for Otr information .contained In the annual report, OUT opinion on fi'nancial statemen15 doe5 not cover the orhef information and, except to tIE extent otherlse expucldy stated in wr repo¢ we do not expre55 ,any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our re5ponslbility Is to rp3d the otlw Infornkatlon and. In doing so, consider wtrther the Ot informats'onls matenalLy inconsisteni with the financlal statements or our knowledge obtained In the course of the audii or otherwise appears to be maierially misstated. strok&or4uk 133

Matters on which we are required to report by exceptlon ReSponslblUes of trustees In Ilght of knowLed9e and undef5L3ndlng of the grDUP and parent charitable cotTpary and tr4r enVIronnnI obtslned In Ihe course of . the audiL we have not Identthed rnateriaL misstatements In the srrategic report Of Ihe twstees. annual reporL As explalned rrK)re fLdty in trustees. respon5ibiUtses Statern[ set out on page 117, Irustees {who are atso tt directors of the charitsble company for purpose5 of company law) arE responsible for the preparatson of ftnancEaL staternents and lor belng sau5fd tFkiL thpy gP4e a true and falr view, and for such tntemal control as the trustees detefrnine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatenI Wther due to fraud or error. We have nottyry to report In respect of ihe fottowlng rnatters where the Companles Act 2006 or the Chariues Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as arnndedl requlre ts5 to rep)rt to you if, in our opln50fL In preparing ttrle financial 5t3ternÈnts, the tnJsiee5 are responsible for a55essing t group and parent charitable company's abitsry to continue as a gn9 coniem, discloslng, as appUcabLe, matters related to going concern and using golng ioncern basi5 of accountlng unless the trusiee5 eitrr Intend to tsquidate the groLFP or pareni charitable company or to coase operations, or have no reab5tic altemailve bLrt to do so. parEnt charitable IOTryary has not kept adequaie and 5Lrtficient accounting records, or retums adequate for our audit have not been, received from branc5 not vlsited by us; or parent charitable corTyany s financial statements are not In agreement with the accounting records and rn5", or Certain dlscLogures of trustees, remuneratson specihed by law are not made," or We h3ve nol received all tr information and explanations we qUiTe for our audiL Auditorfs respon5ibilitles for the audit of the financlal statements We have been appointed as auditor under Section 44OMci ol the Charities and TnJsEee Investment (ScotLindl Act 2005 and under the Companies Act 2006 aTKI report to you In accordance with regatrOn5 made der those Art& Our obJectNes a to obtain reasonable 3SgJrance about wtther the h"nanclal staiements as a whole are free from rrk3terial rnlsstatemenL wther due to fvaud or error, and to Issue an auditor's 134 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

' report that inclLJdes our opinion. . Reasonable assurance is a hlgh level 'of assurance, b15 not a guarantee . Ihat an audit conducted In accordance with ISAS IUKI wlll always detert a material MISStenI when It exists. mlssiaterynts can arise from fraLKI or error and are considered material If, individuaLLy or in aggregate. they cou reasonably be expected to Inlluence the . economlc deck5ion5 of users taken on t , ba515 of these fnancial stalenfits. Conctude on the appropriateness of tW5tees' L¢Se of the going concem ba515 of accMting and, based on audlt evidence obtained, whether a maierial tmcertainty exists related to evenE5 or condltions that may cast signih.cant dovbi on the group and parent charitable company 5 abll to coniinue as a 90ing concern. If v conclLKle that a materlal uncertainty exlsts. we are required to draw attention In auditor's report to related disd05ures in the financial statemenis or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to ryM)dity our oplnlon, Our coniLuslon5 are based on audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's repori. However. future events or conditions may cause the group or parent chariLible company to cease to cOntsr as a going concem. Evaluate the overalL presentation. strucwre and content of financlat statements, InclLKling the disclosures, and whether the fi'nanciat staterwts represent derlying transathons and events in a manner achieves fair presenratlon. Obtain sufficient approprlate audit evidence regardtng ttr financiaL inforrnatson of entstie5 cr tXJ5iness 3ttivities within the group io eXpsS an opinion t)n the consolidaied h'nanclal statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of group audlL We remain soLely responslble for wr audit report. We communicate with those charged Wtth govemance regardlng, among other matter5, the planned scope and: tlmlng of the audit and slgnifkant audit hndlng5. Includlng any signih'carit deh'ciencies in internal COnvthatwe identfy durlng our audlL A5 part of an audit in accordance with ISA5 IUK) we exercise professlonal Jui*Jement and rnaintain professional sceptlC15m trKougtKJut the audtr. We also: Identify and assess the risks of maier13l misstatement ot ttr financiaL Statements, whether due to fraud OT error. design and perform audil proced4Jres responsive 10 those risks, and obialn audEt evidence thai is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of nor deterting a material mi55tatemeni resulting from fra Is higher than for one re5ultlng from erruf, as fraud may involve collusion, lorgery, IntentionaL Orni5510n5. misrepresentstions. or the override ot intemaL controL Obtain an understandlng of Intemal contiol relevant to the audit in order to deSKJn a11[ proce<kJres tt%3t are appropriate in Lhe circufflstance5, but -: not for purposes of expressing an opinlon on the effectlveness of the group and parent charit3bLe company s intemaL coniroL Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting pcleS used and the reasonableness of accounting estima5 and related disclosures made by ttE trustee strok&or4uk 135

Explanatlon as to what extent the audlt was consldered capable of detecting Irregularities. including fraud the Charity SORP, and UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Finanoal Reporting CounclL We obtained an undef5randing of the charitable coryany COmpe5 with these reqUIrrn[S by d15cussions with rrk4nagerrni ar tIK¥se (harged wilh govemance. We assessed the risk of material misststement of the linanclal 5taternents, irTrduding the risk of materiaL Misstatent due to fraud and how it rnight occur, ty holding discussions with rnanagÈment and those charged wlth governance. We iTwired of managemenT ar tj52 charged with govemance as ta any kriown instances of rn<0MpLIanCe or suspected non<orrplJ'ance with laws and regu13(ions. 8ased on th's understanding. we designed 5pecrftc approprlate audit procedures to Idenufy instances of non-coryliance with Laws and regulaiions. Tlys included making enquiries of manageffonE and those charged with governance and obtaining additionaL cortoborative evidence as requlre(L There are inherent Llmitations In tP audit procedure5 described above. We are Less 'kelY ro becorr aware of Instances of n0n-corypl1ae wtth law5 and regulations are not closely related 10 events and tran5actlons reflected In h'nanciaL staternents. Also, the risk of not detectlng a rnateriaL rnisstatement due to fraud 15 hgher than the rlsk ol not detecting one resuttlng trom error. as fraud may volve deitberate concealment by, for example. forgery or Intents"onaL misrepresentatsons or ttrrwgh couusion. Irreguiarrtie5, incLLxling fraud, are InstarKes of rn{onLIanCe wlth law5 and regulatjons. We deSn procedure5 In 'ne with ow respons1b1.tieS, outlined above, to detect maiedaL mi55tatements In respect of irre9u13rities, IncLudirvJ fraud. extent to which procedu5 are capable of detecting IrregAarities, Including fraud Is detailed below. The obJeaive5 of our aL1t in respect of fraLKI. are,. 10 Identify and a55ess the nsks of material rNsStatement or the linancial staternents due to frautl: to obfain sufficieni appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material mi55taterr*nt due to fraLKI. through Ile51gning and Implementsng appropriate responses to those 355e5sed risks,. and to respond appropriately to Instance5 of fraud or suspected fraud Identihed during the audit. However. the prlmary responslbiuty for prevention and detettlon of fraud rests w4ith both managernent and those charged with "goverrHnce of the charitable company. r approath was as follows.. We obtairth an tmderstanding of the Legal and regulatory requirernents apptscable to the charitable company. and con51dered that the most significani are the Conwanies Art 2006. the Charittes and TnJstee Investment (Scocland) Act 2005 (as amended). regulations 6 and 8 of the Charities Accixfrnts {S(otLand) ReguLition5 2006 las afrendedl, 136 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Use of our report Trus report Is made soleLy to the charitable 'company'5 member5, as a body. In accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and to charitable company'5 irustees, as a bodyi In accordance with Secuon 44Ollcl of Ihe Chanties and Trustee Investment (Scotlandl Act 2005. Our audtt work has been urKJertaken so tt43t we rnht sL3te . EO the chant3bte company'5 rnember5 and tTUStees those matters which are required to state to them In an audiiorfs ' report addressed to them and for no other purF)ose. To the fullest extent permitted , by law. we do not accept Of 3SSUn responsibiLity to any party other than the chariiable company and tharitabLe company's members as a body, and the charity'5 trustees, as a tthy, for our adit work, for this report, or for the opinlons we have formed. rt)y. (£f Luke Hotr (Senior StatutDry Audltort For and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Statory Auditor 9 Appold StreeL London, EC2A 2AP Date: 23 October 2024 ', Moore ngs1on SmtLh LLP is eugible to art as auditor In tem of Section1212 of . the Coffwnies Act 2006. strok&or4uk 137

Consolidated statement of financlal actsvltles for the year ended 31 March 2024 (Incorporating a group income and expenditure account) T•thl turwls In¢(ma frmr, DonatIS aid le4Ja¢l 2é.069 16,429 t946 28375 Ch4rrtatdaadlvi¥es- 2a 10,3Bd IOJ12 tradKN adivlUq5 35 735 611 on 798 . 8,102 TL524 20.6 11.0 010 2.162 Re5•¥¢hwrts WKI ow¥dy 2.994 1.706 Sweirn Innwnclro 1325 319 1674 Awaienoss •wJ erya9EWrt wlthjttokn 5,633 1133 5.1Y. R•lslro )D,305 .461 75316 lJ65 Mpt lupJdtEwlllrorn¢ be14X• qalns on frnw5tmtnts 419 ius Net [rryl{lOSSoI nn tr¥& 20 3.625 16 14731 wi lTr¥•Jtrnwts brt•rn .44? COrpallrI tsx (Di thidirq Sut)51th prollt5 ozj R•cm<JlLrtltsn ol Iwwts. Fthds brvwt foThyard a( l Aw 31 1807 34.963 28.819 V35 19351 5971 ITrinI In IuFh*5 in ye¥ 449 1,9 7662 1841 J(MJ 138 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

AILul tl¢ywi's a¥15 are derhyd ffum abo%Y twfiwwKlal 1(j Ali1rK0ry aad pendIrE In starÈrnEr vl nlalaCtE5 15 10 Il fin••1 i¥ TtrDsy)rt lhEad15 of StTDhéAssOCibtwi ?st10kAsS¢(IatiOn tfr•iW UTrut Charlty statement of financlal actlvitles for the year ended 31 March 2024 Not•1 UnrtstfktDd ReSVictvJ 2024 R5•d H•ststod vhls T¢tsi bjr Inrom• frum: Qotknitltxts arKI I 25.813 Z786 2&599 26287 1,946 462 11124 428 ,10384 lQm2 TJ5 6n 6n LlOO 957 951 gM)1 tt02o Expondltwe o 51tt&2 swort )wvkes 0,102 20,026 n,0 14J7 2.994 1706 io InllLnclrq L696 140 1325 3d9 U74 AwThe55 •wJ er¥JagEttt wrth stmkE SA02 I1¢1] 8.512 8541 Ai | a799 449 117391 7,838 J¥• 91 Nef lupendtturÈ)Ilntomo belJJre 9akns .188 3,135 18191 Net galroJtt055esi on InlMentS 1625 16 1473) 14731 Re£11t1trn ol fvnd FLKK15 brDtsW lotward ai l 32.142 2,807 34.949 28.005 4,301 4106 fvrbd5 935 1935) sin 15971 2& tT8) muycrrwr iri ILsfKIs in 1.437 4A9 2.662 jl gll 1 "¥949 of Ilp ttrwrtys 4aMtt& d#rwEd fr•ry¥tontvury4 OPEr4tMg Ikm9 lht ab[ perlods I and ios%•s art Inclded In sts¢ffThni o11hu1aEIkne All and ewvJth•z [Md&1 adj14•> and Th71es 147 thE fTrrKsW1nIS b wWeStr u This a(bvI ol tly Stroke A5sooédon an, •Mcluthffj tr acuvitses4lSuoktA5socts (tpathrx]l i%rtd strok&or4uk

Consoudated balance sheet as at 31 March 2024 2014 rott+ Ftted asi•ts Tarw Iivd awls 1467 19 493 28.890 2].4173 T4ts1 Issots ca5hatts1nkth¢.lernd0s]0$ts 5,416 l456 Llablut 2>24 26 2951 afflots l•LUn9 In mrye than ijn year Rt5par(mgrts paye , 25.8 14J0611 Q.4361 26 14701 funds DI ihe thKiLy. ihrv*tndod luntt5 ted knr4 16.474 1,768 . I$ 29 7,293 2B07 J4895 , 96> Ibe noteg on pw4È5 150 10 IB3 tarrn part 91 the statomer -nd 1(Fr tsyjv ty the trLf51ees on 16 OElotiei 2024 arnl bE14Llbi'. A55o(latsM. CurnpryLirnred by rATantre ReqislTltloft fthjnthr 61274 IEtyl4nd VAilul. 140 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Charlty balance sheet as at 31 March 2024 Note5 2014 Rx•d assets Ta¢4itlo ftxedassots aiglJkfiK•d 19 493 28.89C ZT.473 ,OY3 tash& bank•)0stHXt.iaTn dets &040 Assetshold for AÈ 22 l456 ethtLYS wLstIln9 &jevAthln0 year 23-24 .8401 20 JTJ Ctedltor£ arnounts 14lUn9 due In ffl0 than onear 25.8 14.31Y61 g,4361 PtowsYm¢. Ivr Ilabiifre5 26 147 34.?49 The tLThtsol the <hariLf. 4ksWdtpd lurx 14474 05 . F a55dfwhl 1768, -Geniirdl IfrEè iLisorwl 15.300 .S42 Restyiiied mCOfM funds 19 1193 2,B07 J4035 34.VP ThE no gn p4ges 150 tol53 furm pa11 vl Th[kCIal)&mn 4jpr0d aTrJ Jt1w lorsstse ty the trLt5tees on 16 OaLknr 2024 %•wed un ttrf bknll ty. strok&or4uk

Consolldated ststement of cash flows for the year ended 31 March 2024 48041 649 5J '. n601 1¥ace Iromd iwsat ol o. In and cashequNalents Qsli and r35h eqLwalerrt5 & l Jpril 2QZ3 5,955 9.866 s.ns 2a14 .+ff Nvt mrorrn n ye la> con5okndated 514lWltrt orrffjar<wl ¥tMlla) 1,843 AdIlt& lor NetIgalj11O5Its$0n In%tSV 1162 2A7 242 ns I)Er&Sel th debtm 0,7751 rJ.1sZI Intie45E Vb trpEYtto 595 J59 IOe% rrasel In urovijity 1531 14•t c#h Ivwd Inl owr•UI¥ x1fvrtli An&y5b of cath •MI cash •wl¥aionts •TrJ an•iysls ol th net debi Cash at bank ind slrn-term t 52 5.116 Castt .4d by InverArrw.I maTha9Ers 406 539 959 142 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

PrlnclpaL accountlng policles The principal accounting poucies adopted, judgThnts and key sources of estkmatlon uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are lald out below. Basis of preparation The trustees have conclLKled that there a no material uncert3intle5 related to events or conditions that may cast signift'iant doubt on the abiLity of the charity to conrintse a5 a golng concern. trtee5 are of the opinion that charity wlll have 5uffiaent resources to ryet ljabitsties as tty fall due. The ftnancial staiernents have been prepared on a going concem basls, under . Ehe historical cost convention, with ftems initiaLly recogni5ed al cost or transaction value unless Otherwise stated in relovant accountsry pollcle5 below or the 'notes to the accaunts. The most significant area5 of iudgemerrt that aflect items In the accounts are deiailed on page148. With gard tu the next accountin9 period, the yeaf endlng 31 March 2025, mos15ignificant areas that affeu the carying value of a55ets held by the charity are the level of Invesuneni retum and performance of the invesunent markeis (see tl 'IrwestrrEnt pobcy, on106 and the risk managerywt 5ects'ons of Trustees. report, fof fTKYe Information). ,fv financial statements have been prepared In accordance wrth Accounting ard Reporting by Charitie5.' Statement of Recornmended Practice applicable to cFkiritie5 preparing their accwnts In ."accordance with the FlnanciaL Reporting .Standard appUcabLe In Ihe United Kingdom and Repubuc of Ireland IFRS102) fcharltles SORP FRS1021, tte Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the Unoed Klngdom and Repubtic of Ireland IFRS1021. the Charities Act 2011 and the Cornp.anies Art 2006. The tharity's thtee-year plan projects Inue35ed cFkirlLible expenditure. which WIIL be refle(ted with a defvcit fof t¥vo years and retum to a surplus In year three. Reserves remain withn ranges spectfi'ed in the revised reserves pob.cy Isee page1021. The chariiy and Its subsidlafie5 constitute a public benefft gr(yJp entity as defined ty FRS102. financial statements are presented In sterting, CarIty'S fundonal curfency, and are rwnded io the nearest tru53nd pounds. The Stroke Associatlon has welL-dlverstf7ed fvnding 5tTeam5, Wsth no Indivldual funder or donor exceedlng 4.kn of ioial IncorrL Contracis with trSe funders generate a cmtribution towards tt central costs of managing the Siroke As50ciats'on secretar[ which (Sevef5 managen¢ People, Technology and Finance systems to support Its pro9ranwne globally. Assessment of going concern tnjstees of t chafity have 355essed wlther the use of going concern assumptson is appropriate In preparing Ehese accounts and ve rykide this assessment in respect to a period of one,: year from the date of their approval Recognislng trt the 5uoke Associats"on's continued abiLity 10 deliver its programn of work WILL depend on contsnued forward strok&or4uk

secured funding wng into Its new 5iness Plan period {2021- 2024). . UUStees tkive considered sever3l facto In concLuding that the adoption of the goir)g concern basis in the preparation of Ihe5e ftnancial staiements Is appropnatL These have iTKluded: Income Incory. In(LJ[9 Investment income, ts recognised in the period in which the charlty is entlded to receipt and the arn(nI can be Tra5ured ts'ably wlth reasonable cefthinty. Incorne is deferred only when the charity has 10 fuLfi'I conditions before becoming ents'tled to it or were the donor or fijnder has speofied that the income Is to be expended in a futu accounting Per1. Existing reserves and WTrEstrneni )Lding5. forward pipellne of secured and prospecttve contract and grant awards. growth of the legacy n(rtificatFon5 and pipetsne. Income cornpri5e5 donations. legacies. commi55loned services income, trading Incorne, InvEStment Incorne and other Incorne. rigour of pipellne monitt)ring and C05t controls thai are In place to en5LKe a balanced budget in the current12023-241 and 5ubsewent financial year12024-251 wtrule stlLI rnaintaining cjetsvery of the . Stroke Associats'on's programm In accordance with the Chafliies SORP FRS101 volunteer time Is not recognlsed. a5 the value of their contrilNJtlon cannot be reLÈably Tneasure Cash rnanagernent and working capiial controls in place to manage poientlaL risks of Lite payments by fundef5 and ensure restricted and unresEri(ted assets "and reserves are appropriately managed, Donations and granty Including those In re5pert of parncipation event5, are recognised when ihe charlty has confirrnauon of both the amount and the settlement date. In the event of donatsons and grants pledged but rx)t Ceived. the amount is accrued for tre tr recelpt is probable. After making this assesSrrnt, trustees are confi'dent the organisation Ikis adequate resources to operate lor the loreseeable futtsre and can adopt the going concem basis in preparing its financial staiernents. Grants and dortiOnS frn govemfnent and other agencies and charitsble loundations are included as income frorn.. aaivw'es fvrtherance of the charity's obJecEives thre tse 3mount w a contrart for services. Basls of consolidation financlal 5tatpJnerbts consolkdate . resuLts of the charty and tts ovmed subsidlary, Stroke Association (Trading) rnited Company Reg No 00898941. . DorTTrint subsidiaries have not been ' consots'dated on the basis of materiality. Legades are 5ncLuded in the ststeffnt of finanual activities Wtrn the charity is entwtLed to the Legacy, the executors have establlshed there are sufficient surplu5 assets in the estste to pay the legacy. and any conditsons attached 10 the legacy are wrthin the controL of the chartty. EntitLement to a Legacy 15 tsken a5 the earber of the date on which 144 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

either. the charity ts aware that probate ', has been granted. the estate has been finabsed and notificatson has been made.. by tt)e execLrtor to the charity that a ..di5tnbution witL be made. or wtrn a ..di5tnbution 15 recetved from the estaie. Recelpt of a legacy, in whole Of in part, Is only considered probable when amount can be measured rebably and the charity has been noiified of the exe(utUf'S Intentson to rnake a distnbLrtion. Expenditvre Liabllities are recognlsed as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or consuuciive obLlgation commrtting ctrwriry to rnake a payment to a third party, It 15 probable that a transfer of economic benefi'ts wl(L be required in settleffEnt and tr arYK)vnt of obtigation can be measured reuably. ALI expendiiure 15 accounted for on a accrual5 ba515. Expenditure conyr15ES dlrea costs and suppori costs. All expense5, InclLKling support Costs, arè allocated or apportiDned 10 the appticable experKlrture heading5, The classification betweer5 actlvitle515 as folloys. Where legacies tkive been notified to .the charity, or ck4irrty Is aware of ttr granting of wobate, lyJt the criteria for income recognition have not been met, Ihen the Legacy Is tTeaEed as a contingent asset and disclosed if matenaL In the event thai gift is in the form of an "a55et othr than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised sio(k ex(tnge. recognition is subject to the valLFe of the gift being retsabLy measurable with a degrèe of reasonabLe accuracy and t tle of the 35sel havlng being transferred to the charity. Expenditure on ralsing funds inctudes the salaries, direct Costs and sUPPQrt costs associated with generatsng donated Inco. and itre costs Incurred by t tradlng subsidiary. Expendtture on charlt3ble activltles Include5 alL costs associaied with furthering the charitable purposes ol the charlty through provlsion of Its charitable actswties. Such costs ndLe charitable grants payable, direct and 5UPI)ort Costs incLuding govemance costs. Cornmissioned stroke recovery and communication sjpport semce incory and tradlng incoff is recognised to the extenr that It is probable tkk3t the economlc benefits will ftow to the charlty and the revenue can be measured rellabty. li 15 measured at fair value, bein9 Ehe amount invoiced and conSided , receivable, excludlng any discoLmts or , rebates. Grants are Included In In the Statement of ft'nancial activiries wIn the award has been approved and the Intended reclpient ha5 eItr received the lund5 or en Informed of deci540n to make the donation and has satisfied all related condltlons. Grants approved. but not paid at tr£ end of the financlaL year, are accrued for. Dmdends are recognised once the "vidend has been declared and notificaDon has been receNed of thvidend d. Interest on lunds held on depostt Is Included wtEn receivable and 47mount can be measured rebabLy by the charity: Ihis Is normally upon notlficats'on of the Interest paid or payable by ban Irrecoverable VAT ts aLlocated to the sarr expendrture hEading as the as50clated net COSt strok&or4uk M5

An exercise w35 undertaken during the year lo enre alL costs have been "correctly mapped to appropriate 'charitable goaL5, as a result of .this exercise there has been son recLa55ihcauon of costs between goals . 10 better reflect thelr purpose, Tr prtor year comparatives have been restaied to refiect change& Donated services and facllitie5 (gift5 In kind) SeNlce5 and facilities donated to charity for Its own use are Included In incorne at thplr worth to cFkifTty as ai ttr time of gtft with an equivalent amount inctuded in expenditure. The red3Ssrfication did not have ary effect on rtr prior year surplus for the af ended 31 March 2023. This recla55ih"cation has also had an lrnpac( on FfE and head (nt alLn 256 of Taxation of ChargeabLe Gain5 Acr5 1992, tr* charity is exernpt from UK taxation on such Inci)me and gains provided they are apped for charitable purposes. Furtherrnore. any subsidiary company that is trading and makes (yjalrfylng donations ol aiL its taxabLe profrt5 to its parent company wilL not Incw any corporats'on tax. Allocation of support and govemance c05tS . Support Costs represent Indlrect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out primary purposes of the charity rt Is neiessary to provlde support In t form of personnel developfnent. fi'nancial . procedures, provlsion of office seMce5 -. and equlprnent and a suitabLe worklng environment Research grants and awards . knernance costs Include ttH)se InoJrred . In governance of the charity and its a55ets and are primarily associated wtth the constitutional statutory rewlrements. The Strctrke Associatson awards research grants and FeitOW5hips each yeaf. whlth r fur periods of up io ftve years. Such research grants and aNard5 are accrued In full ai the time of thelr award. Support COSTS and golernance co5 afe apportloned on a basis cons15tent with Ihe Lse of resources primariLy FTE and expenditure rarios, The stroke As50dabon undertakes an annual reporting revEew for alL grant5. Any Lnder perfornance Is investigated, vthich w Involve an extemal reiiiew by Stroke research experts. This w very occasionaLLy lead to the reduction or cancellauon of a granL lorb9.term research grant commFunent has It been dlscounted on the gr(d5 that it would not be materiaL 146 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Tanglble fixed a55et5 Intanglble fixed a55et5 ALI tangibLe fixeij a55ets costing more than £5,000 and wtth an expected ttsefvl 'fe exceeding one year are caprralise They are fthted at COSL whlch includes . the origlrML purchase price of the a55ets plus costs attrIttable to bringing the asset ro Its intended use. Deprèciation is calculated on a sualgh14ine basis over Its expected useful ijfe. All Intanglble fixed assets c05ting more than £5,000 and with an expected usefuL Ufe exceeding one year are caplLILlseit These include 50ftware. the charitys website, and other irltemally developed Dnune iools. Intsnglble asset5 are valLd , ai the cost to the charity of actwlring these a55ets. Intsngible fixed assets a fecognised Dnly rf all the foilowSng c¢)ndlt(ffl5 are mec Freeld propertle5 Used for the th'rect charitable ¥ryort( of the charlty arE Included In these financiaL ststernen at cost ai the dale ol 3cquisiEion, together with the cost of additions and Irnprovements to date. Only functional freehold properties arE . depreciated at a rate of 2Yo per annum on 3 straight-llne basis In order to write them off over their estlmated useful lives. Those undef COnSUUCtion are not . depreciated unD'I are browht Into Use. An 1mpalTrnt review In respect to ."a partlcular cLass of a55ets Is conducted rf events. or changes In clrcurnsnces Indicare Ihat the carryirtrg amount of - any tangible ft'xed asset may noi be recoverable. An asset is created that can be separately idenfified. It is pn>bable that the a55ei ueated WIU generate futwe economic benef. arKJ deveLopment costs of ttr assei can be measured reUabLy. Amortisatson of intangible fixed assets 15 calculated u5in9 straigh14e methDd to aLIo(3te the c05t of the 355ets ovpr their estimated USel lives. ALI Intangible frxed assets are assumed to have useful Uve5 of h've years and are arTh)rtised accordiryly at an annual rate o120Vo. An annual Impairment review is condted IDr each 355et after It ha5 been brought Into Use to re-a5se55 its remaining usefuL ute arKI that it still meets the definition of an Intangible a55eL During the year, the freelK>ld property was wt on the rrAfket for 5ale.Contracts.' were exchanged before the year-end wtrth completion In April 2024. The net book value of tr£ asset trws been rnoved to asseis held for sale wtth galn on dtr5P05al being reflected in next yeaf5 'nancl staiernents. See note 22 and 41. Fixed asset Investments Slx)rt leasehold wemises consist of Ehe costs of entering Into the Leases for 'offlces. together with associated fi'tting- out COSES. These costs are WTrtten off over the Ufe of the lease, reflecting the useftjl Life of the LvKlertylng asset to the charlty. Fixed asset Investments tssted on a recognised Stock exchange are initiaLLy recognised at their Lransartional value and subsequentty measLtred at tr1r valve a5 at the balance 51el date uslng the quoted market price. Office fixtures, ffttsng5 and equipment are depieciated over five years based on the . e5timaLed useful Ufe on a straight-The basis. Realosed gains or tosses on investment assets are caLcLJlated as dlfference between di5P05al proceeds and their opening carying vatue or thelr purchase strok&or4uk 147

value if acquired dfing finanoal ar. Unreal15ed gains and1055e5 are Ca[cuted as the difference between the fair value at the year end and t1r carying value at that date. Reabsed and unreaLlsed Investmpni galns or L055es are COfrt)Ined In the siatement of fi'nancial artiwtses and are credited or debited in year in which .they arise. Creditor5 and prov15ion5 Creditors and proNisions are recognised WIn there Is an obllgation ai t1 baLance Set date as a resutr of a past event,, it 15 probabLe that a transfer ol economic beneftt wilt be required iri settlerTEn¢ and aKnt of the settlement can be esdmated reably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity antiapaies it w5LI pay to settl the debL They have been dIscnted 10 the present value of the fuwre cash Pay[nt wFre such dIsc¢Jllng 15 materiaL The main fofrn of financial risk faced ty Ihe charity Is tharof v0lau.ty In equity and Invesfftni rrkirkets due to wider eCr)noffC conditlons the atts'wde of Investors to InveSt risk, and char>ges In SentInI conceming equiiie5 ana within particuLar . sectors or sub sector Fund accounting The IrwestTTnt in the charity'5 tradlng subsidiary Is vatsd at cost of £7 {2021'£7). Restricted funds coryri5e rnonies ra15ed for, or wtrre their use is restricted to, 3 5peclfi"I purpose. or contriljutions subject to donof-irry)sed conditsons. Debtors Unrestrlcted general funds represent ttKase monies, whith are available for appllcation toward5 achieving any charitable purpose that falls within the charity's tharitabie objectives. Debtors are recogni5ed at thelr settieTTnt arrin( less any provision for non- recoverabiLity. Prepayments are va&d ". at the amount prepaid and have bee discwnted to preseni vaEue of the future cash receipt where SLKh dIScotITrg 15 matorlaL Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been sei aside by the tnistees and desnatsd for panicuLar piJrp05es. Cash at bank and In hand The fixed assei fund represents ttbe net book value of the charity's tanglble and IntangibLe fixed 355ets and ha5 been set aside EO demonsiraie that these assets are ilLlquid and are not available as free reseNe& Cash at bank and in hand repSents such accoun arid instruments tt a avaitable on demand or have a marurlty of tess than three Months from the date ' of acquisition. Cash placed on deposit for rnore than one year is disclosed as a ftxed ,asset InvestmenL Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Significant accounting estimate5 and areas ofivdgement Operating lease5 RentaLs apptscable to operating lease5 whefe substantially all of the beneffts and r15ks of ownershlp remaln wrth the lessor are charged io the 5tateffEnt of finandaL. actfvities on a stralght-ts'ne bas over the, lease teml Preparation of the financial staiernents requlres the trustees and managemeni to make signihcantwdgement5 and .. estr,rtes rhai affect the reported value5 of assets, Liabllities, inco and ., expenses. '" SignifKant areas of estirnation and Judgement inctude.. Pension costs Contributlons are paid to a group money purchase personal penslon plan for eryloyees. Contributsons payable dufing the year are charyed 10 statement of nanclaL artivities and any baLances owed at )tarnd are included in cdItorS - amounts falllng wlthin ane year. See note 21 Assessing the possibiuty of receIn9 legacie5 of whlch ch3rity ha5 been notifled. The 5ptst betwn current and no current lJ'abilitie5 lor granl awards that malnly exter over three Of more years. Deterry4ning bass for allocattng suppon costs. The Useful economic life of tarybl£ and intangible fixed assets. Provision fDr dilapidation on the leasehoLd propertle5 15 based on 'storlc data, ongolng monitoring of the condiilons of the property and discussions with properties developers and landlords. Assessment ol the charity's ablllty to corillnue a5 a golng concern. Onerous leases An onerou5 lease ps1On vfis made In previ¢yJs year for au thjse properties rhat were not In use and would not be put Into use before the end of I}r lease. . Provision was based on all conEractsJal Costs from the balance sheet date to . tr end of ttE Lease. In this year tl '. prOV50n Ikls been fuLly reLeased as ttK)se Properties have been disposed of the . year. No provision was required for tr remalning priwertle& strok&or4uk 149

l. Donation5 and legacies &JryoLri£l¢d RL[lLd IQ24 U'irwiwthd £'ooD | Tatsilws 2023 £00 GwÉraLOonknr& 1248 495 I7AJ ,16 l4 Lottty and rame l6 Dlrn(tfYwll OA7 L327 Corporale ar¥1 trbAts 1041 97P 6S8 2.Q99 1069 rLAld 799 Lryade5 15.615 16,624 16,7J5 Gvants 2.10 578 11)07 ' To io,(Kp L940 Contingent asset Durlng reporting perlod. we have been rlotifled of Legacle5 that could total £2.5 mlllion 12022-23.. £3.1 rnilLlon), Wrre eittr no grant of probate has been feceived or the grani of probate been (eNed wlttvn slx nM)nths of the end of the ft'nanciaL year. This gives rise to a contlngent asset as It Is a possible a55et arising from a past event notlfi"c3tion of the lega(y by the soucitors for the deceased Legaiorsl, lyjt ttE oUtCoff WILI be deterrnined by an (mcertain futtKe event (any debts owed by tr legator or chalLenges from family rT*rt)ers). 2. CharltabLe artiVFties - Local servlces 11124 463 428 Toul NL Income from commissioned svoke recovery and comrnunication support ser4ices in this and the prior accounting perKxI was restricted and represents detsvered seNices. 150 Stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Other trading Incorne Stroke Association owns seven ordlnary shares of £1 each nOOY¢l of Stroke Association (Trading) Llmlted Company Reg No. 00898941. a cornpany Incorporaied England af7d Wales. Tr company Sells thristma5 cards and raises corporate 5ponsorshlp rnonies to fimd the actlvities ol the charty. AIL incorne is therefore unrestricted. The tradlng coffyany glft alds its taxable proltts to the charity to tt extEnt that it has disLribuLabLe resenies with which to do so. 24 2023 81 ofsalos Grv5s pro Otrr In¢orne- corptyate sponsor51up 305 35g Nti prr Nei prc4lL to 5tn)kÈ knocwt undw g¢lt ad V301 The trading company's dlrecrors agreed ro retain such fund5 a5 to bring reserves io £60,000 In order to maintain its fi'nan(lal stabilFty. This has resulted in tax ctwge on tr retained profts SurptU5 profit5 were glft aided to the charity.
lrniestment Incorne 2024 2022 649 579 InTerESt r2COlaty 3Z strok&or4uk

Other Income u$trIct•d Unre5tfSCted ' Restrktd T¢Kai D•fegate le 532 413 473 TralnlrKJ IMDir Room1• 210 Svntty rnrr 63 91 & Stroke sUPPOrt 5ervlces REsLr,"GILd 2024 EOOC+ Tatsi servKqS 1.022 1,826 579 154 73Y UNvvy•i 5eThlcos Ir)tl&thg 1.440 1039 Stspwrt 121 5.061 647 £000 8271 servxes l397 5Tr UNvwsal IrxlLthg Hdplrn Support Clt5ts Ino& 121 428? 810 %097 aiLocation of direct Costs to our six expenth'ture goals are regularty rewewed to ensure that the expendFture correctly reflects their wrpose. As a result of this year s review some costs have been redassth'ed. Last year's ccHrparisons tmave been restated based on this reclas5iflcation. 152 stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Community development and volunteering UD4Straed £'LVJ 2024 Stsllcosts 1.599 74 92 Suwirt¢V5ts tno&121 670 670 To(- IOZM4 1456 Stsff ¢05ts l.N9 281 Otref drnea coy5 139 139 rt ro&ts Intrte IZI '593 593 strok&or4uk 153
Research 9rant5 and awards Llfftestricied Re5vicied 2024 , R•5tst•d 23 TotA- 20ZH4 InciLMled within research grants and aVrdS are the dlrect and stppon costs of NnnirKJ research departrfnL The fourteen new grants aPWDved thi5 year are detalled on pages 6445. A full Ilst of grants is av3ilable on 5troke.org.uklre5earch Totsifimds resLrtd• 2023 £'ooo Grwls 1492 712 I409 416 95 IndlrEct costs Isev r1 I 1706 IOQ91 ¢Pty 2024 Xt23 6349. Wrltttn batk dwlr•J 5) Pthld (krlng 5321 durlr¥J thp y 10 Cornrnltrn• ar JI P)1e a5 loLL. Wlih'n one Inote 131 14 er mLve than Y Inule 251 143a Xyi &349 154 stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Related party transaction5 2024 The people who are Llsted belo¥v against each award are from the institijtion as , award hoLder, and have eltJr been a member of a funding panel In the Last year, or are sted on our Research Awards Pool membership. None af the below research awards pool Member5 took part in the review or adhKlication 'of their research appLlcation5. and were exCELed from Ihe entire review, addicatiOn, ana aVrdS panel Pfoce55 for the fespective award lod5. Postdoctoral FeLLowshlp Sabrfna Eltringham for £210,000 at SheffleLd Teaching Hospital5 NHS Foundation TnJ5L Michaet Stringer for £215.000 at University ol Edlnbjrgh with Rustam AL-Shahi Salman '{Trvstee and Funding Paneu,. Giluan Mead (Research Award5 Poou,, Feryu5 Dotsbal. (Research Awaids PooQ: Emily Sena (FundlrM] Panel). .P05tgraduate Fellow5hlp Kate Ledingham for £113,000 at Unlversity College London wlth David WerrlrKJ (Research Awards Pool),. Holly Robson (Fundlng pane.. Sumanjit GilL (FundirKJ PaneL),' Rul Lourelro IFding Panel),. lenny Crinlon (Funding Panev.. Triin Ojakaar for UIO.000 at Unlversity ol Oxford with Abson HalL5day (Research Awards Poou,. JacinLa o'sfEa {Re5earch Awards Poou: Derrick Bennett (Fundin9 Panev. ,, Lectvreshlp latinder Minh35 for £235,000 at Unlversity of Lelcester: Neshlka Samarasekerd for £235,000 at UnNersity of Edinbutgh with Rustam Al-shahi Salman (Trustee and FLnding PaneLI,' Gllban Mead (Research Awards PooQ: Fergus DoubaL (Research Awarits Poov,. ' Emily Sena IFunding Paneu. Project Grani NichoLis Evans for £226,000 at Unrtyerslty of Cambrldge with Hugh Markus (Research Awards Pool); Jonathan Mani IResearctri Awards Pool and FLnding Paneu.. Matifrwi Lambon-Ralph (Research Awards Pool), Df15uru Induruwa IRJnding Paneu, Fiona Row for £267,000 at Universty of Liverpool with Gregory Up (Funding PaneLI: Arshad Majid for £267.000 ai Unlversity of Sheffield Wfth Ruth Hert)ert IResearch Av4ard5 Pook). Condttlonal offers Jesse Dawson for £270.000 at Unp4ersity of Glasw with Terry Quinn (Research Awards Poou, Robin Young (Funthng Paneu, Jesse is a mefrthr of ttr Research Awards POOL ancl was Chatr of the P05tdoctoral Funding Panel in 2023. jonathan Hevntt fDr £270.000 at Cardtff Unlversrty., Matthew O'ConnelL for £186,000 at King's College London WTth Ben Bray (Research Award5 POOLI, Lorna PauL for £214,000 al Glasgow Caledonlan Univer51ty with Frederlke van Wljck (Research Awards Pool): Marlan Brady (Research Awards Pool and FLndlng Paneu. strok&or4uk 155

Systems influencing Ufvre5tricied ' RestrlL1ed 2011 Ststl cwts 93 350 SvpvJn coA5 Inoie 121 554 U•96 U36 Stsll iuyts 349 IB54 Ol*• drèLt t05ts 282 Svppm costs Inole YRI 538 535 756 stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024
Awarene55 arKI engagement with stroke Arftricied 2011 Ststl cwts 434> l637 Ottw direct ¢itsts 26 Swpon costs Inott 121 Tfjl- 102>-24 &Arrcoyts iojo 1,030 14*nL%>rwJ rF4rketlng I,X8 766 766 SupFon coxs InGie 121 619 619 T- K214Y strok&or4uk
Costs of ra15ing fund5 Atistyicte X124 R•st•t•d £'OOD Slaff cgsts 3289 3.0311 3.780 25 3,084 3,780 25 tsEqutsltion ar>d rotenlliyi 4nl SI.rr. fr)te 721 1.070 7.879 158 stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024
Allocation of sUPPOrt Costs 5trokE CL¥ThnU[Y Ilaismg fvn 2024 tsar EDOO 14,918 L706 3,620 2.282 1,918 7509 433 42 Property 671 lQ 65 126 io40 l454 U4S I057 124 103 TKtholo(iy 1,5119, 292 93 63 70 Tot1 . Sknstatod 5EMke Roststed ReSled Rutated Rstathd Re>ttarth Total .wJ IB6 Y&.461 IJ3 39 74 pPerty 02: 64 934 7266 155 244 1,9&3 X17 l661 12 irf8 2rf4 19n GovE3.e £ts 60 61 1674 s. Futt time equivaienL Locaticrf and actNiiies forn tt basis of altOC3tion for the fiJnttions L&sted above. strok&or4uk 159
Govemance costs 2014 Totsifvn 2023 OweiE#oatht oince 45 IlDCtr,r4 Fd gtrrseral Inmrrel ajs 791
Net movement in fund5 1024 R•#tsi•d 2023 £'ooo Dwffl•lon InotE 181 Ifl 242 ordsavon lrnrte 19) Opefatmu lease ren&ds. OffKe rent .. CtyTwny C#1¢ès Pn'or ar auditof s fwres have been restated to exclude IrTecoverabLe VAT. stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024
Employee and key management remuneration c4Jsts r as louow 2024 2023 E'OIX) Wtyts 5olaries 20.799 19 74 PèJTherrta lo agn(y siaff 67 35 709 Non-taxable statuLOry reddan(Y paynwts totalted £31000 (2023: £60,000>. The average nurnber of employees during year, analysed by function and induding SLry)POrt staff as alLocaied pef note 12, was as folLows. 7024 Full bm• 2023 2023 Owrtablts *ctiviue5 . Stmxt suppDit 58vk 496 47 61 RèlJinq finds In addition to above, a considerabLe am(xmt ol tiry, ts vaLue of which it Is not practiC3L to wantlfy, was donated by AUnteerS tlyoughout year. strok&or4uk
Employee and key management remuneration (continued) The number of eff4)loyees wto earned between the amounts st3ted below (Including taxable benefrit5 but excltsdj'ng e[lOYer pension and natsonaL insurance contributions) durlng the year wer 2024 rn•mbw 2023 fiUrrtr £70.001- £J.O £90,001. EllJO,OC 00,1. Eno,or EITO,OQl £t20,000 n4rJ,007. . [150,0 £150,QOI. fi6Q,QOO Key management personnel are the rnembers of the Executive Team. In 2024, there viere six ¢uLI tirne equivalent {FTE) merr)ers of thi5 team (2023. six). See page120 lor fwther detalls. The total ferra,on (including xable benetits and employer's pension and national Insurance contributions) paid to the key rrninagement personnel of the charity In the year was £822,00012023. £791,000).
Trustee remuneratlon None of the mJstee5 received any rerTxJneration for ttElr servlces duTing the year. Travelll expenses arrounting to £3,836 (2023.. Q552> were reIrUrSed to 10 tnistees120E3'.12). charity trhls purchased Insurance to protect tt from any Loss ansing from the neglect or default of it5 trustees, eryloyee5 and agents and to inderMIfy the trustees or other offi'cers against the consequences of any neglect or defauLt on Iheir part. The insurance premiurn for the year was £28,600 {2023.' £25,0001 and provides cover of up to a rrkaxirnurn of £5 rnilln in any one year. Due to their expertise witlwn ttre field of rnedlclne and research, trustees may complete projects funded ty the Stroke Associati¢)n. TIK5e aro monitored by management ar rewire approval of the Researd) Awards Commrtee and the Boar(L Research grants awarded to trustees during the year are detaiLed in note 8. 162 stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024
Corporation Tax Tte Charity is considered to meet the definition of a charitabte company for UK corporation tax Ixjrposes. Accordlngly, to the extent that incorro and g3ins fau wlthin Part 11 of Corporation Tax Act 20KI and sectton 2 56 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act51992. the charity is exempt from UK taxauon on such Income and gain5 provided t are appued for charitsb(e wrpose5, Furthermore, any subsidlary company that 15 uading and makes quabfylng donations of all Its taxable profits to its parent company wlL not inaff any corpofauon tax. £12,000 taxation charye (2023 - £nlE) arEses from the cfk3rrtys trading subsidiary whlch retsined part of It5 operating profits In the year. In the prevlous year a don3ts0n ot alL taxable profit was made to drity frorn tt tradlng subsidlary via the Gift Aid The tax charge of the retalned profit In subsldiary on its ordlnary activitle5 for the yeaf Vla5 a5 folLosYS" 2024 rrr¥nt an ordfy belor• tthx C¢rptyaWI rate in UK Profft on tyth"n•y of Co[*r1 Effects OP, Gift Aid tSDfki¢Nrty Str)keAssQC4t klarythal tsx retiel strok&or4uk 163
Tangible fixed a55etS 51¥Jrt 2024 To £'ooo £-000 AI IW1120 1.947 1850 55 55 Tr•)4tt(se? note la 94n 106D | At l AprlL20Z3 loo? Owryt lor 19 247 Transfertsw 221 149 Dw05ab. 18451 IBBOI 31 1024 J45 P4et t values 40 stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024
Intanglble fixed assets 124 C05t 1 ¥rt12023 761 At Y htrth 2014 IApril 21 lory 18761 D15P05a15 Al 11 14 Nel bor Al JI M*rh Y024 strok&or4uk 165
Fixed a55et investments Trse comprise investments at market value and cash held for re-Inve5trnenL 2024 2D2J 26,933 24,It16 Arwlyiws 9.646 8,2701 mrJvETTtrt in rr4rkel %*aluH". l•¢0 bftlry 3MS. 14TJI Cè3h liel4J u¥ .'nve5tmp.ni rnan3ger5 lor 539 90 2144> 1 1024 2023 Ilea1e qAinsl(105SFsI Umallsed qaiftxfllosse4 stroke Assoc6atlon l AnnLBL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

All investment5, except those in the pioperty funds, the funds of hedge funds and the multi asset holdings, were b'5ted and dealt in on reccrfjnlsed 5ck exchanges and coryriseil the foLLowing: 2024 rJz? 20,V)4 20.059 7B Nprwovorwnirt btKJds UK proputy fvnds 1596 2A913 7.455 UK prDW knd5 k4JlU *T55et hDitQr 21. Debtors note Chartty I 2024 Charlty X123 Z124 Tr•lÈ dEbtlW5 6J6 1.18fJ owed ty traiw gJbsldi4f .605 .710 ?.944 Y.WJ .¢m strok&or4uk 167

A55ets held for Sale (rfo+• h¥ily 200 2014 23 £'ooo Pwty ior ¥* . l456 l456 At the yèar-end, contracts had been exchanged lor the sale of our freehold prcipèty in BronwrovE. The book value of th5 asset ha5 been treated as an assei held for sate. See noie 4L
Credltor amount5 falling dve within one year 2024 2023 X123 £'ooo Ttade UBditori 1042 IIw8aith(yants Inoig 81 1401 1401 19 T#itsn and su¢laLswity (orpc*aEHJn tsx Uabltlty Otrof CTodltDF& 374. Arcrua 1261 U40 53 L234 6.909 7.840 The charity operaies a gmup personal pension SCI, which Incorporates employees jolniry through auto.enrolment, stroke Assoc6atlon l AnnLBL Report Year ended 31 March 2024
Movernent in deferred Income Gmvp Oper DelwrEd IY4 T1023 rooo MU¥enI tn thIEffett V18 1113401 ,445 Openi Roiease Oelwr•J cl I20 33 707) Cr Qpoi4 QL,lura EOOO n4,lJ201 Opu¥ I1022 MLwèffryt in dEltrr•d Ii*onit 175 Deferd Income includes commissioned service Income where involces have been ralsed in advance of Service delwery period along raffle tlcket sale income that relate to future draws and trust funding for futureyears. strok&or4uk 169
Credltor5: amounts falllng due in more than one year (ty 23 E'OI)Q 2024 rooo Z02J 2024 Rtse914nts Inoth 81 1436 4306 1436 J6
Provlsions for Ilabluties Loss tl*4n Mort ttwn ,'

lon

Pmptrtydllapldatbon 44 470 514 The charity has built up a diladatIon prOVlon for works required at the end of the lease or at Its break dause if ea'er to bring It property to fv state It was at the con¥r*ncement of the Lease as requId under Lease agreemenL The provislon Is based on historlc data, ongolng monltorirNJ of the condltaons of the property and d15CUSsion5 wlth properly developers and landLord5. stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Designated fund5 Certain unrestricted fund5 have been set aside as designated by the trtsstees for future activities. rw> and charKy 2024 2023 rthjo F CQ>t nwdBI over t thrne yEirs ,'io 5tatxli5aUon Fund Svategy A£¢elÈrAtSon Flmasbtld lorStrok2 knsDCi•l pport Gr 503 UK FoTrJm 505 purpose o each deslgnated fundls set OLrt under ts Reserves Policy pages102 to 104 of tr£ knnuaL Repon. 2& Fixed asset fund (Including assets held for sale) The fixed asset fund represent5 net book value of the charity's tangible 3fKI Intangible ftxed assets and has been sei aside tD demonstraie that these assets are I.qUId plu5 ts value ol assets held for Sdle and are not availabLe as free reserves. ÉYMXJ I 1768 1013 £DOO rx*J lssetknd strok&or4uk
Restricted fvnd5 Gnwp d¥flty A¢ l Apnl Fund Incoff A)pIt& EAporsdiiJJre At 31 Marth Eooo Modical xl oth•r rsearth . DuThatsuns tEgarits 1,61)6 . C(Hnrr¥5510fY IU14 l4) . srUke and prowaryrn . Ottw dorwtions le9*e$ L813 1773 Capilal projects 1281 Tot&1 20D14 351 stroke Assoc6atlon l AnnLBL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

l ty)rJl 2022 Firirl Incon ' Al 31 Varrh EOQQ - Dnnatsms and Ia 1.053 14SJ7 10.383 th)3831 (6941 . OIhÈr(IYfjrts aid leg¥1•5 CapitaÉ project5 135 74 31 28 Durlng the year additionat fvnding vrd5 received for research grants that had prevlously been luLLy fvnded frorn unrestricted lurmls. This tr4is been refLected in a uansfer between fund& Incory on cornmissior stroke Recovery and corrfftjnlcati &pport 5eNices contracts Is for ¢)perating COTTKrnJnEcation and famlly stspport sefvice Incoff* for other Stroke servlces and prOgraThs Inctudes servlces as the Stmke SLPPOrt Helpune and support grants. Other restricted donations and Legacies are received for specifbc regional volwtary group5 and services, generaL educatFon and training. along with enhancing awareness and Inforrrkition. strok&or4uk

Analysis of net a55et5 between fund5 GÈnoral Dosl9natod Iw#15 FIXEO asset RestrTrttsd 2014 Tot4 rooD 819 rtrylble a55ets 493 1&471 45$ PJ 43Q iallM¥J due or> l&J91 16, PtO¥ts¥llns IN Ilabillti [5221 Cre&kn. lalury due al¢v Onear 14.3061 '14X161 474 Gtal E)eslgnated FL¥ed asset Resldatd . 20Z3 Ttsial Tanqible fixed &5et5 ,401 1467 ImaryllA£ fftxtd •ssets 4ss*ilnvestm15 .967 IL505 27AI3 R553 5360 Piothsi(Th lor UabiUv8 25 Crettttm amoLrt laWr¥J due atier one y 361 R4361 P,7 34963 stroke Assoc6atlon l AnnLBL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

GÈnoral Dosl9natod Iw#15 FIXEO asset RestrTrttsd Tot4 1114 rooD 819 rtrylble a55ets 493 1&471 14.601 45$ PJ iallM¥J due or> 10,8951 10&951 PtO¥ts¥llns IN Ilabillti [5221 Cre&kn. lalury due al¢v Onear 14.3061 '14X161 a4W Gtal E)eslgnated FL¥ed asset Xt23 Tanqible fixed &5et5 ,401 1467 ImaryllA£ fftxtd •ssets 4ssilnvestm15 .967 IL505 27AI3 11 Piothsi(Th lor UabiUv8 25 Crettttm amoLrt laWr¥J due atier one y 361 R4361 34y49 strok&or4uk

Tax The charity is unabLe to reclaim alL VAT incvrred on expenditure. IrreccNerab(e VAT Incurred Jrlng the year annted to £1,286,000 (2023: £1,J61,0001.
Leaslng commltments Ai 31 March 2024, the charty had totsl fiJtsXÈ comrnttments under non-canceL13ble operating Leases as foLIows: Propw(y QIIK 20Z4 2023 rot Opoiattry le* wlwch explr•' Withn onè y Wlthir.. two lu frvi VL73ry. 495 242 1.086 1.532 413 055
Reconclllatlon of movements on unreallsed galns 2024 2023 UnfEaLtsed qiLirs a l 3.104 4.78a Less. In iespeii io dlsposats In y2ar R4911 V,5801 net q3mv.111055esi on revaluatr * ioar 3396 176 stroke Assoc6atlon l AnnLBL Report Year ended 31 March 2024
Liability of members The charity 15 constituted as a company Ilmited by guarantee. In e¥Ent of the charity being w0)d up, member5 are required to contriDUte an ar7MWnt not exceeding Sp.
Dormant subsidiary companies The Stroke AssociatÉon own5 IOOYO of Tr Che51 Heart and Stroke Association (company number 021004971, The British Siroke FndatIOn (company nurnber 026423391 and Stroke UK Limited Icory)any number 05741880), dornant cornpanle5 Incorporated In England and Wales and IOO°/o of Speechmatter5 LirnitEd (company number N1049026), a dofrnant compary IrKorporated In Nortt)ern Irelan(L
Related party transartions Details of retated paty tran5artlons Irv4oLvlTrg re5Earch grants and trusteeg expenses are provided in noies 8 and 16 respertively. During year the chariiy recewed £49.716 in community seNices Incory12023'. £48.2681 from West Essex Clinical CorTYnissioning Gro of whlch epIn King (Stroke Assoaation Chairl Is a governor. The orlginal contract was entered Into beforE he be(an a trustee. During the year costs toialtsng £258,000 plus VAT (£2023.. £116,000 plus VAT) Ivere charged from Stroke Association Ltmited to stroke Association (fradingl LimFted representing costs IncurrEd by the charitys tTrt relate to if5 subsidiaries actlwtles. Durlng the year costs totalling £9,000 ptus VAT12023', £9,000 plus VAT) re charged frorn Stroke Association trrading i Llmited to Stroke Assoclation Llrnrted repre5entlng costs IncurrEd by the Trading Coryany that reLite to CFk3ritys activitse5. DLKing the year, a donation of all Suoke Associatlon {Trading) Llmited's prior year profKs of 30,01)012023: £1310001 was paid to Stroke Assooation Unutsd mder the gift ald scherne. At 31 March, E26.000 {2023: £130.000) has been accnjed in ttr books of ts tharity belng gift aided profi from its tradlng subsidlary under a deed of covenant strok&or4uk
Agency arrangernent5 During tPE year, the Stroke Association received É87.000 (2023.. Ell6,ODO) frorn BHF as part of an agency relationship. In recent years, the chanty has ctrfunded research awards with various tharitles, Including BHF. Th5 Involves drIbuting funds it holds as agent to research grantees In Une wlth an agency agreemenL Cash paYrnt5 from trse BHF re(elpts to grantees amounied 10 £87,000 in yeai12023: £91,000), and cash held by Stroke A550ciacion on behaLf of BHF at the yearnd amoLmted to £0 (2023.. £246,000), whch is included wtthin grant commiunen Cash held by Stroke Associatson on betwlf of ALzhwrr*r's Society a5 at year-end atTK>ted to £012023: £133,000) 1(h is lnClLed wlthin grant cornrnitirEnts.
Contract and grant Income The Stroke Association wa5 awarded many grants and contracts during Ihe year induding t foLlowlrkg thai have feque5led a formal aCkrLed9Ment in these account CentraL Bedfordshire co(1[ Mèd and Swth Essex ICB NHS Friryty ICB NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB Norfolk and Waveney ICB Sth Yorkshire ICB Wakefreld Coundl 178 stroke Assoc6atlon l AnnLBL Report Year ended 31 March 2024
Movement in funds C4)oning ExpenditoI Funtt C1rh4 l Iprfi 2023 Mth UrnstriCt n.505 1287 7J09 174 1
Flxed a55tt fLry il915, 17,722 176B I,Q191 t&50DI J1446 *htvfft . .9 llJ,46 P6 45355 f43,114 Fu71h wlthha n(TrCle yts5id 13681 45.710 C4)onir)g Intgm ExpenditoI Funtt I Iprfi 21)22 31 M¥th 23 tooo Il960 7041 Flxed a55¥4 fun 147ZI 155 4WI J30 a3,M91 b3id 390 strok&or4uk
Movement in funds (continued) onit Incon Exwrd71L)rr Clogln9 l 2023 31 Mth 2Q24 11.5Q5 1287 ,ozn 74, . FlpQ 45Set ILMI ,19 275
GenetaLlfft05 Ilree feseNe5} 7,418 16.5601 JL 3[735 R•$vQ6 inc¢J•T . V3.46T 196 1293 14,949 Y6. Q)enir>g Inog ExpErrfl:wrt £'ooJ Ftmd I Wi 2012 20D E'OOO Il940 Flxed assw_ I 14721 19 17.m la445) 2AaJ1 tt5.&*) | 687 11,711 06 12,330 n3.M9 n))7 iofflj 87 Y4,919 stroke Assodatlon l AnnuaL Report Year ended 31 March 2024
Income and Expenditure for the three devolved nation5 and two British Crown Dependencie5 W4 I4 £000 EDOO 24 awitst%•_ actl¥lt1•5-lorai ser4itos 630 55 Otr trllry act1v1S Exp•ndlknn o 47 SystEms ItkntrYJ Aaisnq Iwd5 47 5lxpluvlde strok&or4uk
Income and Expenditure for the three devolved nation5 and two British Crown Dependencie5 (Continued) Rert•t Rslai•d R•ststed tooo Otr• trJtrw actty1% Toial 3011 14 52 er4Japff•rtwthstrol(t aignq hmd Tot* •xponJM i.OllA 4? SwplwltDellctt) stroke Assoc6atlon l AnnLBL Report Year ended 31 March 2024

Income IncLudes all donats.ons wTrre the gIStered addre55 of the donor can be determined as ane of devolved nations or Brttish Cr(y¢m Dependencies. Expendlture includes all costs trt can be dlrecrty attributed to the nation or Crown Dependency. Property costs have been treated as overheads and have not been allocated to the nation or Crown Dependency where are located as various actlvitles operate from them. Each trXpendrre tsne al50 rndude5 an overtad allocatlon. We calculated the dlrect exFendiiuTe of the devoLved naiion and Cr(Mn Dependency a5 a prDponion of the overatl charity spend. We tr7n Eook same proponion ol the totaL overhead cost of tt charity and added thts to Ehe devolved natlon and Crawn Dependency expendltur& Overheads inclLKle People, Technology, Property, Rnance and managennt surplu5 oc deflcit for each devotved nation 8rit15h Crown Depen(Sency represents thelr contributlon toward5 or utslrsation of the charlty's unFver5al 5ep4ice5 acrD55 the UL Re5erve5 are noi allocated across thp nations or Crown Dependencies but are held centrally and are availabLe across the organisation. Vthere reserves have been restricted to a devolved natlon or Crown Dependency. tSe have been appts'ed to expenditure In that devolved nation or crown Dependency. Research grant awards have been treated a5 universal c05tg IK>wEver, it should be noted thai this year, El,554,000 (2023.. £546,000) was paid (o Unlversity ol Edinlxjfgh with a further £316,000 paid to University of Gtasgow12023.. £347,000), £IOO,000 Glasgow C3tedonian University12023,' £116,000) and £5.000 paid to Cardlff Unlver5ity (2023: £17,000). 41. Events after the balance sheet date We are required to consider conditions that have arisen between balance Sheet date (31 March 2024) and date the accounts are SKJned 06 Ortober 2024). Durlng the year, our freehold propety In Bromsgrove was pui on tIE market tD seEL Contracts were exchanged in March 2024, Sn ApriL 2024, the SisLe was completed and the disposaL ol the property reflected in our records, The gains on the disp053l alTUnted to £lll,000 and will be reflecfed In our 2024.25 Anrwal ReporL There have been no other events that requlre adpistrnent to the flnanc13l St3terrents, Impact our assessment of the charity as a golng concern or indicate a frkiteriaL change ttk4t has aii5en since the balance sheet date. strok&oryk

The Stroke Association is the only charity In the UK providing Llfelong support for all Stroke survivors and thelr families. We provide tsiLored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year, fund wtaL stroke research, and campaign to secure the best care and support for everyone afferted by Stroke. We're here for stroke suNlvors and thelr Loved ones, from the momentthey enter the new and frightenlng post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find thelr strength and their way back to Ufe. It's only thanks to the generoslty of our supporters and donors that we can provide vitsl support. Donate or find out more at stroke.ory.uk We're here for you strc£ &pport Helpllne: 0303 3033100 From a textphtK: WOOI 0303 3033100 •£ WetsltÉ' strokuryuk stfok6 .Assoclailon RThllng Strnn through Pt

2024-03-31-accounts

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