InterAct Stroke Support

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InterAct Stroke Support

Stroke is now the second biggest killer in England and Wales and the main cause of serious disability in the U.K.

InterAct Stroke Support is an award-winning charity aiding stroke recovery by using professional actors to deliver hospital readings & community projects to stroke survivors. A stroke can affect anyone of any age from any background and rehabilitation can be a long and difficult process. It is during hospital recuperation that InterAct makes the difference as early interventions with stroke survivors are a tremendous boost to the recovery process. There is now a growing body of evidence that stimulation through reading and conversational interaction can help the brain find new neural pathways, a phenomenon known as "adaptive rewiring." InterAct encourages adaptive rewiring, work which has been shown to improve patients' mood and motivation, alleviating depression and boredom as well as increasing confidence as patients are able to practise their new-found communcation skills in a non-judgemental environment. InterAct Stroke Support works to improve the rate and quality of an individual's recovery from a stroke by:

improving mood
alleviating post-stroke depression
increasing self-esteem
boosting communication confidence
stimulating the brain
providing entertainment

We currently read in 21 hospitals and over 50 stroke clubs in the UK.

15/02/2026

Happy Valentines Day from all of us at InterAct.

Let our talents actors whisk you away to some of Shakespeares most love filled sonnets.

Our second timeless Shakespeare sonnet:
Sonnet 29, read by the wonderful David Prince

14/02/2026

Happy Valentines Day from all of us at InterAct.

Let our talents actors whisk you away to some of Shakespeares most love filled sonnets.

This is the first of three timeless Shakespeare sonnets:
Sonnet 19, read by the brilliant

11/02/2026

To celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science we spoke to InterAct Trustee, Professor Marion Walker MBE, about her wealth of experience in the industry and beyond.

Her insightful advice is a perfect way to inspire the next generation.

30/01/2026

This parent mental health day, invite joy back into the routine of your parent and stroke survivor.
Our professional actors are poised and ready to read their favourite stories, re-live their fondest memories and reinforce the sense of identity they had before the stroke.

InterAct at Home is a free service for up to one reading a week and all readings are carried out via phone or video call. Book their first session today and unlock a new routine for your parent.

29/01/2026

Meet our InterActors

At the centre of InterAct you can find our brilliant actors putting their heart and soul into delivering live, stimulating readings on the stroke ward, in stroke clubs and via our remote service. We are proud of every talented actor we work with and would love to show you who could be reading to you or your loved one.

Actor: Simon Furness

Spotlight PIN: 4932-1276-5617

15/12/2025

Have you submitted your entry for the Ruth Rendell Short Story Competition?

Brief: To write a story in 1000 words.
Tip: We look for positive stories that can be read in the sensitive environment of a hospital setting
Prize: The winner of the competition will be commissioned to write four further stories for InterAct Stroke Support over the course of one year and will receive £1,000 in payment.
Runners up: The top 3 stories are shortlisted and performed by professional actors that work for InterAct Stroke Support during an award ceremony, taking place in 2026.
Entry fee: £15.00 via our JustGiving page

For more information and to apply, visit our website: www.interactstroke.org (link also in bio)

Previously judged by the late thriller and murder mystery author, Ruth Rendell CBE - InterAct’s Short Story Competition is now named after her. The competition is more recently judged by Margaret Drabble DBE; biographer, novelist and short story writer.

So what are you waiting for? Get writing! Deadline: 5pm, 21st December 2025

01/12/2025

We want to say a huge thank you for supporting InterAct Stroke Support during our BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal. Together, we have raised just under £5,000 which will go directly towards stroke survivors across the UK.

Because of your generosity, stroke survivors like Edward are receiving the vital actor-led reading sessions that help stimulate memory, improve communication, and support recovery. 🧠👄🙏

13/11/2025

You may have heard our appeal on the radio today? Help us to make our appeal count by sending us a donation before Saturday 15th November.
Any amount, small or large, will contribute towards the tremendous work of our actors who visit 20 different stroke wards twice-three times a week to uplift and stimulate the patients. 🧠✨

10/11/2025

Our BBC Radio 4 Appeal is officially live! 📻🎙️🙌❤️

If you see the value in our work, please consider making a donation this week (before Saturday 15th November). £40 will pay for the delivery of a two-hour hospital session on a stroke ward.

If you’re not familiar with our work and you missed the first airing of our appeal, you can listen to it on demand via BBC SOUNDS or tune in on Thursday at 3:27pm to hear the next broadcast.

Listen: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002lzzk
DONATE🧠 : https://www.bbc.co.uk/appeal/radio4

28/10/2025

We’re hiring for our London teams! 📚✨ 🏥
If you are an actor who’s interested in using your storytelling skills on the stroke ward, we would love to hear from you!

Each reading session is 2 hours and paid £35 plus travel. You are required to carry out a DBS check for this position and we will be prioritising actors who live within 30 minutes commute of one of our hospitals.

To apply, please email info@interactstroke.org with your CV and a short cover letter. Do remember to let us know which hospital you are applying for. We look forward to hearing from you!

23/10/2025

A star of Celebrity Gogglebox, veteran of QI and Have I Got News For You, a reporter on The One Show, a presenter on Pointless, a guest on Would I Lie to You? and a regular on This Morning – Gyles is a familiar voice to many.

Listen in for a sneak preview of his experience as a Patron of InterAct. Remember you can catch the full story on the 9th and 13th November on BBC Radio 4.

More details can be found in our bio or on our website.

21/10/2025

How beautiful is this poem, written by one of our stroke survivors for their InterAct reader, Janina .

A heartfelt thank-you in the form of poetry a reminder of the deep connection that blossoms between our readers and patients through the simple act of reading aloud. 📖

Address

8 Holyrood Street
London
SE12EL

Telephone

+442038861028

Website

http://www.interactstrokesupport.org/

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