As a stroke survivor himself, Chris is a fantastic ambassador to show the importance of getting back into your local community following a stroke. He’s also no stranger to bingo, having once worked for bingo legend Jimmy Thomas and been a guest caller on special National Bingo Games.
The ‘Loaded’ event took place on Tuesday 6th December and brought together stroke survivors and members of the public for an unforgettable evening of traditional bingo, music bingo, quizzes and prizes, with Chris Tarrant calling the numbers and son Toby mixing the music.
The Stroke Association provides specialist support, funds critical research, and campaigns to make sure that everyone affected by stroke gets the support they need to rebuild their lives.
A new survey by the Stroke Association and Buzz Bingo has highlighted the devastating social impact of stroke:
- most three quarters of stroke survivors spend less or no time socialising with their families and friends since their stroke
- Four out of five of stroke survivors spend less or no time on their hobbies or have given up a hobby altogether
- Around one in four struggle with negative mental health and/or feel lonely/isolated
- Before their stroke around a third engaged in a hobby daily or 3-4 times a week
- Spending less time or giving up a hobby has left around one in four stroke survivors feeling a loss of confidence a lost sense of purpose and identity and impacts their well-being
- Over a third of stroke survivors would like the chance to socialise more since their stroke and to go to clubs and societies
Saul Heselden, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Stroke Association said, “Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and changes lives in an instant. Stroke has many impacts, some are visible whilst others are hidden, but the effects are equally devastating and can become obstacles to recovery. Many stroke survivors stop seeing family and friends or are forced to give up their hobbies, this may be as a result of struggling with their confidence or mental health or due to fatigue. Socialising and enjoying previously loved hobbies are really important to mental health after a stroke. Without this stroke survivors can lose their confidence, hampering their well-being and potentially leaving them without a sense of purpose and identity.”
“We are excited to announce our new partnership with Buzz Bingo which will help to raise vital funds for much-needed specialist support, research and campaigning and will go a long way in supporting more stroke survivors to live the best possible life after a stroke.”
Stroke Association supporter and stroke survivor Chris Tarrant said, “Eight years ago, completely out of the blue I had a life-changing stroke. It was incredibly frightening and it made me realise how fragile life is. I know how scary and tough life after a stroke can be, so I was shocked to learn that so many stroke survivors spend less time with their loved ones and many have given up their hobbies. Having the support of my family and friends was crucial to my recovery and spending more time on the things I love really helped my well-being. I‘m so grateful to have had such fantastic love and support from those close to me but I know this isn‘t always the case for everyone, which is why I would encourage you all if you can, to find your passion again or enjoy a new hobby.”
Over the next three years Buzz Bingo aims to raise £200,000 for the Stroke Association, through special events and fundraising initiatives like our the specially hosted event with Chris and Toby Tarrant. The partnership will also see Buzz Bingo working closely with the charity to provide volunteering opportunities for colleagues and training to better understand stroke and its impact.
Key stroke awareness events are: Stroke Prevention Day (January), Stroke Awareness month (May) and World Stroke Day (October). Events will take place at all Buzz clubs to mark these events, alongside colleague and customer fundraising throughout the year.
Mark Fletcher, Head of Brand Communications at Buzz Bingo said, “We are delighted to be partnering with the Stroke Association and to help raise awareness of the isolation and loneliness many stroke survivors experience. Socialising with family and friends or in the community can be daunting following a stroke so we’re pleased that Buzz Bingo clubs can offer a welcoming, friendly and accessible environment for stroke survivors to take that first step to feeling part of a community, regaining confidence and helping rebuild their lives.”
