The Stroke Health Integration Team is having its official launch on 15 November at Circomedia. It’s a drop-in session from 2-7pm with lots of activities including: two talks at 2.30pm and 5.30pm from Richard Lyle about plans for transforming stroke services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

Local boxer Dan Sarkozi, who experienced a stroke at the age of 28 just before the biggest fight of his career, will be at the event. He is campaigning to get patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure operations funded by the NHS, including a UK Parliament petition. PFO is a type of congenital hole in the heart. Holes in the heart are the leading cause of stroke among younger people.

The launch of Bristol Health Partners Stroke Health Integration Team (HIT) is in partnership with Rosetta Life, Bristol After Stroke and the Stroke Association.

We work with local partners to prevent strokes and improve the lives of people affected by stroke in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Join us to hear about our work, be inspired and tell us what you think.

Highlights of the launch day include:

• Photo exhibition by people affected by stroke

• Virtual Reality demonstrations

• The premiere of the film Getting Home which follows local stroke survivors on their road to recovery.

• Market place – local support, activities and research showcase

• Stroke Ambassadors’ café

• Presentation: What is the Health Integration Team? At 2.30pm and again at 5.30pm

• Update on the local Stroke Care Pathway review

• Rapid presentations – what the HIT does: improving care; education and training; research and evaluation

To find out more about the event please contact Molly Dexter on :

molly.dexter@bristol.ac.uk or 0117 331 4072

As part of the launch event we are holding a photo exhibition

‘What makes me smile’ ‘What helps my recovery’.

We’d like people affected by stroke to send in photos of what makes you smile and has helped during recovery.

It could be a special place, people or things that have inspired you.

To submit a photo for the exhibition, please contact Emily Dodd

emily3.dodd@uwe.ac.uk or 0117 3287496

Stroke Odysseys by Rosetta Life will be performed at Circomedia on Friday 16 November at 7.30pm

This daring movement and song project will be performed by an ensemble of stroke survivors. It explores intertwined journeys of recovery from stroke and asks how we ever recover from brain injury or how we remember who we are. Book now - tickets are £17/£15