The role of SSOs

Stroke support organizations (SSOs) are non governmental organizations that globally drive better outcomes in stroke prevention, treatment and long term care. SSOs range in size, focus and membership. SSOs may be run solely by stroke survivors, by healthcare professionals or by a mixture of people with a professional or personal interest in stroke. Despite the differences, SSOs are united by one common goal: to reduce the negative impact of stroke on individuals, their families and wider society.

SSOs are non governmental organizations that globally drive better outcomes in stroke prevention, treatment and long term care by:

Ensuring the meaningful engagement of people affected by stroke and strengthening the patient voice
Raising awareness about stroke locally and nationally, including risk factors, symptoms and emergency response
Organizing long term support services and activities with and for people affected by stroke
Facilitating and participating in collaborations and advocacy with people affected by stroke, health professionals, governments and academics
Funding and engaging in research into stroke treatment and care.

The role of SSOs is vital because they can:

Help people who make decisions about stroke care understand what is important to the people affected by stroke
Provide long term support for people affected by stroke that nobody else can or will provide
Advocate and act on behalf of people affected by stroke
Help campaign for change and influence government policies
Help stroke professionals communicate better with people affected by stroke.

WSO is committed to develop more stroke support organizations.
Every country needs stroke support organizations: “The voice of the stroke survivor”

Please email the International Development Manager - Sarah Belson for further information and practical guidance on setting up and growing a stroke support organization: Sarah.Belson@stroke.org.uk

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Our partners and sponsors

Achieving our vision of a life free from stroke is a task that WSO cannot achieve alone. We are committed to building our partnerships at the global, regional and national level to scale up and deliver improvements in prevention, treatment and support to reduce the burden of stroke.