ESV Action After Stroke

09/04/2023

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your weekend! Quick reminder: AAS will not be running this week, Monday 10th and Thursday 13th! Sessions will restart on Monday 17th.

31/01/2023

Hellooooo!!

We are so happy to announce that Action After Stroke will be starting back up again next Monday - February 6th!

10-11am at the gym on St. Luke’s campus at the University of Exeter with the opportunity for a cup of coffee afterwards in the X Keys cafe!

We are so sorry for this delayed start… due to the change of project leaders, this year it has taken more time to get the project back up and running. However, we would love to get in touch with anyone interested in taking part in this initiative!

Let us know if you will be joining us on Monday!

Have a lovely week!

Giulia
Project Leader

Exeter Student Volunteers

12/06/2022

We know that for many of our student volunteers, with exams over and term pretty much wrapped up you might already be back home, or doing internships and work placements, etc.

BUT for anyone who is still in Exeter and is free to help us out then please do get in touch ✅

We are really hoping we can keep our sessions running in the St. Luke’s gym until the end of July! So if you are staying here at University of Exeter until then and have already volunteered with us this year, even if it was just the one session- we’d love to have you with us so we can keep helping local patients stay fit and well through exercise! 💪🏻

Exeter Student Volunteers
University of Exeter Students' Guild
University of Exeter Sport

28/05/2022

How brilliant is this! 🤩

When we found out that we had been nominated and shortlisted for this award that was so lovely in itself, that students had gone out of their way to let our University of Exeter Students' Guild know that they value the work that we do here at Action After Stroke 🧠
To then be voted as the WINNER 🥇 of the ‘best project’ for 2021-22 at the University of Exeter is such an honour!
Sadly, project leads Sophy and Sarah were both away on trips so couldn’t attend, but a great big thankyou to one of our senior volunteers Matt and ESV co-president Natalie and treasurer Matt for attending the awards on behalf of our project ☺️

After a 2 year gap due to the pandemic, it was no mean feat getting the project back up and running, Sophy and Sarah have worked extremely hard on student recruitment and retainment, with almost 40 students on our books!
We welcomed back previous patients but also worked with local support workers and physiotherapists, etc to welcome 3 new patients to the group as well.
All, whilst navigating studies and ill-health that has sometimes compromised the regular running of the sessions, but saw a group of dedicated student volunteers stepping up and helping to keep the project going! 🙌

Some thanks are in order!
We have received invaluable support from the team behind Exeter Student Volunteers, and we must also give a special nod to the staff at St.Luke’s gym where the magic happens! 💪🏻
University of Exeter Sport have been so kind in allowing us exclusive use of the facilities, twice a week and for free, even providing staff to be on shift to make sure we were supported as a group.

Our project exists so that recovering stroke patients from the local community can come and exercise in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment, supported by University students who so kindly give up their time in between their studies to help them gain confidence and independence ☺️
Action After Stroke has been running for 22 YEARS, and we are so thrilled that our project has got the recognition that it deserves!
Well done everyone ✨✨✨

28/05/2022

So THIS happened last night! 🤩

We are extremely proud that the hard work and dedication of all of those involved in Action After Stroke was recognised, winning the ‘best project’ award at the University of Exeter Students' Guild awards for 2021-22! 🎉🎉🎉

Exeter Student Volunteers
University of Exeter

27/05/2022

We are excited to share with you all that we have been shortlisted for the University of Exeter Guild Awards 2022, the ceremony is tonight! 🎉

These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the hard work of the Exeter community and we are thrilled here at Action After Stroke that our hard work in making a difference to the student experience has been recognised once again!

Last year we won the ‘Helpers and Heroes’ award and project lead Sophy Creed came runner up in the Guild President Volunteer of the Year award ☺️

Thankyou to the students who voted for us as ‘Best Project’- it means the world to us. Good luck to all those shortlisted, all very worthy events and projects too! 🙌

University of Exeter Students' Guild
Exeter Student Volunteers
University of Exeter Sport

28/04/2022

So THIS happened today!

Joseph is one of our long standing patients who has been coming to Action After Stroke for a few years now and recently he gifted us this FANTASTIC artwork, part of a series of pieces he’s been creating and giving to projects and charities that support him in his stroke recovery and wellbeing, as well as organisations in the wider community including local schools, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Age UK Exeter to name but a few!
His kind gestures of gifting art during the pandemic to all of these services even earned him a double page spread in Devon Live just before Christmas! 🤩

His new found passion for the creative arts came from going to art therapy sessions with Magic Carpet (Exeter) and with Living with Aphasia which he is a member of 🗣💓

Today I got to present him with a letter of thanks on behalf of the whole project, alongside Chris Keirle who is the operations manager for University of Exeter Sport 🤩

A massive well done and thanks to Joe for all of your hard work and for such a kind gift ✨

Exeter Student Volunteers
University of Exeter Students' Guild
University of Exeter

28/04/2022

Twice a week for the last 22- yes you read that right- TWENTY TWO YEARS, University of Exeter students have volunteered their time alongside their studies to support recovering stroke patients from Exeter and the wider community!
How AMAZING is that! 🤩

Testament to the value of the sessions and the project we have created over all those years is that we have a couple of patients who have now passed the 20 year membership mark! 💪🏻

People of all ages and from all walks of life come together week in and week out for a common goal: to keep strong and fighting fit- for better health and well-being! 🧠 🫁 🫀👁🗣

Thats a pretty special thing we think 💓

Exeter Student Volunteers
University of Exeter Students' Guild
University of Exeter Sport

28/04/2022

To all of our student volunteers and wider University of Exeter community! Do you think the work that we do here at Action After Stroke is worthy of a nomination? We hope so! 🙏

Sarah and I as project leaders have worked so hard this academic year to get the project back up and running after a considerable break due to Covid lockdowns, in spite of overwhelming odds at times!

We are one of the largest Exeter Student Volunteers voluntary projects with almost 40 students on our books! We also work with upto 15 recovering stroke patients too ☺️

Last year, I was absolutely chuffed to bits to come runner up in the University of Exeter Students' Guild awards for the Guild President Volunteer of the Year award 🏅
It was an honour to have WON the ‘Helpers and Heroes 2021’ award! 🥇
What a treat it would be to be in the running for 2 years in a row! ✨

It’s easy to do, just click on the link and write a small paragraph about WHY you think we should get an award ✅
As I always say, it’s a team effort to keep this project going, and a win such as this is a win and recognition of the hard work that the WHOLE GROUP put in! 💪🏻

🚨Nominations are closing soon! 🚨 Don’t forget to give a mention to the students, events and campaigns you think have been incredible this year. exeterguild.com/awards

17/04/2022

Sending Easter well wishes to our students, patients and our wider Action After Stroke family! 🐰🌸✨

🐣 Exeter Student Volunteers
🐣 University of Exeter Students' Guild
🐣 University of Exeter Sport

11/04/2022

Teamwork makes the dream work! 💪🏻🤩🥇✨

Exeter Student Volunteers
University of Exeter Students' Guild
University of Exeter Sport

11/04/2022

Current students at the University of Exeter!

The project leader (PL) application process has been extended! So, if you are interested in becoming a leader for Action After Stroke, or even another fabulous project with Exeter Student Volunteers, NOW is your chance to get involved! ☺️

As a PL for the last 3 years, and volunteer for a further 2, I can say it such a worthwhile experience! I have gained valuable skills and confidence in myself as a practitioner and as a leader- which I know will be highly beneficial in my post-graduate studies and further career! 🙌

If YOU are interested in helping people in the wider Exeter community, then please do apply for a role and get in touch with any questions! I’m more than happy to help ✅