life after stroke grants

Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100stroke.org.uk

Changes to Life After Stroke GrantsNeil ChapmanMay 2013


Why change?• Review undertaken on how Life After Stroke Grants were

allocated and used across regions showed inequity of use

• Review of the use of Communication Support services non essential expenditure funding, found it was not always being used to good effect and only CS service users benefitted

• The aim is to give every region greater influence and opportunity over how Life After Stroke Grants are used

• Instead of just CS the Development fund will provide a resource to offer greater creativity and innovation in terms of support to stroke survivors


What have we done so far?• Set up Regional Grants Panel – made up of any 3 from

Pam Downes, Lou Everett, Kerry Foot, Neil Chapman, Bev Reynolds and Sara Betsworth, but must include at least 1 Manager – we will meet at least once a week when necessary

• We have new forms and guidance available at Z:\Life After Stroke Grants

• We have new email address: [email protected] • Please send your Grant Application to this mailbox – it will

speed up your application• Please complete all required information fields

mailto:[email protected]


The main changes• 2 Categories: LAS Grants and Development Fund• The LAS Grant Budget is now distributed based

on the estimated number of stroke survivors in the region

• The Development Fund is distributed based on the number of referrals per region

• 3 types of LAS Grant: 1 Hardship Grant, 2 Recovery Grant and 3 Activity Grant


The main changes• 1 – Hardship Grant: for Contingency support

• Can only be applied for by Stroke Association Staff on behalf of client.

• Maximum of £100

• Paid at the discretion of the RHOP in conjunction with the Regional Grants Panel

• For e.g. fuel, clothing, food or support with transport costs for families to visit stroke survivors prior to repatriation to local area


The main changes• 1 – Hardship Grant: for Contingency support (cont)

• For clients who can’t access their funds or don’t have any

• Separate application form

• Only to be used in Absolute Emergencies

• Can subsequently apply for other grants if eligible


The main changes• 2 – Recovery Grant: for intermediate relief

• Applications by Stroke Association Staff or other professional working with client because of their stroke – including health and social service staff, reputable voluntary or charitable bodies

• Maximum £300

• Difference between income and expenditure must be less than £50

• Maximum savings £3000


The main changes• 2 – Recovery Grant: for intermediate relief (cont)

• Application assessed by the regional grants panel

• For e.g. specialised respite or family holiday in UK, washing machine, tumble dryer, fridge, energy bills, beds and bedding, medical equipment or disability aids not available from NHS, travel costs for compassionate reasons


The main changes• 3 – Activity Grants: to support Life After Stroke Activity

• This grant can only be applied for by Stroke Association Staff on behalf of a stroke survivor

• To support the achievement of goals and outcomes defined within the support plan of the stroke survivor

• To support the re-ablement of the person improving quality of life in real terms – think of the outcome measures, choice and control, making a positive contribution, quality of life, economic wellbeing, freedom from discrimination, health and wellbeing and personal dignity

• Maximum grant approx £300


What’s not funded?• Ongoing commitments can’t be considered – e.g.

mortgage, rent

• Grants cannot be made retrospectively – approval must be sought in advance before agreeing joint funding with other sources

• Private medical treatment

• Travel outside the UK• Labour costs, other than installation of white goods,

including item removal and structural alterations• Nursing home fees other than respite• Debts and rent arrears


The Development Fund• Funded with monies from the CS miscellaneous pot

• Determined by the number of referrals per region• All Services staff can bid for funding from this budget, in the past it was only available to CS staff

• Not available to outside staff• For enhancing and developing existing services

• For creating a new activity for a service group


The Development Fund• Providing tools and resources for groups and activities e.g. fishing, gardening tools, seeds, art equipment, support to attend an exhibition

• Be creative and inspiring• Submissions which are made collaboratively across services or with groups for development or activity encouraged –however this cannot be used simply to subsidise SAVG’s

• Budget held by the Region and decided on a quarterly basis by a panel consisting of clients, volunteers, and staff.

• Full process yet to be advised


How much money do we have?• We have £12600 in the LAS Grant Budget to fund the Hardship, Recovery and Activity Grants and

• We have £14818 in the Development fund, less approx £200 per CS of which we have 7 so that’s £13418

• We want this money used wisely and if we don’t spend it the funds will be re assigned to other Regions where they are using it effectively


Submitting a good bid• Please complete all required information fields

• Please demonstrate how the grant will be of long term benefit to the client – not just a short term fix

• Send to [email protected]• Read and follow the Guidance notes

• Give us the required information

• Make the form legible

• Need a written recommendation from a consultant or assessment by OT, Physio for medical equipment and aids including riser recliner chairs

mailto:[email protected]


Key Points to Note

•We expect to see quality applications both in detail and in accuracy

•Any applications incomplete or poorly completed will be returned for improvement or completion

•We will be able to turn applications round sooner because we handle them locally but only if the above is applied


Quiz timeWhich one of these applications would you approve and why?A Paul lives with Greta and their

grown up son Ron. Ron is often away working and Greta is Paul's full time carer. They have no savings, but have not applied for any benefits. They usually eat take-aways after their fridge broke. Last week Paul bought a fridge freezer from a friend. He is applying for £100 to cover the cost of the fridge and £10 for the delivery man to deliver and install it.

B Wendy is applying or a bed that costs £185 and will allow her to leave hospital. Her income of £206pw comes entirely from her pension and her expenditure of £195 includes the cost of home care support and incontinence pads. Since her husband was admitted to a care home with Dementia, she has been living alone in her second floor flat. The bed will allow her to move in to her daughter’s ground floor flat which means she will need less support and will be more independent.

life after stroke grants

Health & Medicine