Hello.
We all know it’s been an extraordinary year, socially and politically. But how did our charity, Bristol After Stroke, perform?
Well, we helped more people than ever before, returning to face to face services and in-person group activities. We created new activities to better support people suffering from Aphasia. Our new colleagues, led by our Operations Manager Gemma Holden, settled in to their roles and began to make a difference for Stroke Affected people across the region. And financially, massively helped by our Fundraising Officer Jenny Hollis, we are cautiously optimistic of hitting our financial targets and balancing the books.
However, we know that there is more demand for dedicated counselling than we can satisfy - our waiting lists show this. Also, more people would benefit from our highly rated Stroke-specific physio therapy courses if we could provide it. Our Stroke groups need more funding. We have to work smarter on our promotional impact to become better known and thus make it easier to raise money. And one of our biggest challenges is to find a cost-effective way to support Stroke Survivors with transport. Social interaction is key to optimising recovery.
But it's been a good year. Our excellent existing team have helped integrate a group of talented recruits to prepare to deliver services to more Stroke Affected people than ever before. And a word for our vital volunteers, over 50 of them helping with groups, acting as trustees, sharing their experiences to make us more adaptable. Lucy Stockall, Volunteer Coordinator, take a bow. As a result, we are back to helping hundreds of people across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Looking forward to 2023, we need to settle in. We need to consolidate our activities and ensure we are growing sustainably working with partners in health, social care and the voluntary sector. And secondly, we need to mark and celebrate our 40th year.
1. Demand will grow, and our team need to find a manageable operating rhythm. We are learning how to integrate with the NHS and meet our contractual commitments. Financially we have a big challenge ahead, and the climate is worse than previous so every contribution counts.
2. And standing stronger than ever after 40 years, an independent local charity admired and loved by its community, is a remarkable accomplishment. We hope to use it as a springboard to grow awareness of our mission and to help fundraising going forwards.
I’d like to thank our wonderful staff and volunteers and our CEO Rebecca Sheehy, this year’s success belongs to a huge team effort - one as Chair I am very proud of. Please be part of this team and community next year as we celebrate our 40th anniversary - we can’t do what we do without your support.
We are ready, 2023. Bring it on.
Best regards
Mike Hill
Chair - Board of Trustees