Almost a third of stroke survivors (30%) feel like they are a burden to their family and friends at Christmas time, according to new research1 released today by the Stroke Association.
This Christmas Day in the UK, another 240 people will wake up to the life-changing impact of a stroke. A stroke can leave survivors unable to move, see, speak, or even swallow, and can also lead to personality changes and depression. The Stroke Association surveyed 1,000 stroke survivors about their experiences at Christmas, to raise awareness of the devastation stroke can cause and the vital need for support.
The survey found that almost half of stroke survivors (46%) said they now feel negatively about Christmas time due to the impacts of their stroke. Of those survivors who had experienced Christmas following their stroke2, two thirds (66%) feel frustrated about not being able to do things at Christmas that they could before they had their stroke.
Additionally, of those people who had experienced a Christmas following their stroke, almost a third (28%) couldn’t cook Christmas dinner, and more than a quarter (26%) couldn’t visit friends and family or leave the house. Almost a quarter of stroke survivors (23%) couldn’t decorate the Christmas tree, while around a fifth (19%) couldn’t play with their children or grandchildren.
Over a quarter (27%) of people who said they now feel negatively about Christmas said this was because they were too tired to socialise, while a quarter (25%) said they felt under pressure to act or feel like themselves before their stroke. One in five people (18%) felt under financial pressure at Christmas due to their stroke, and the same number of people (18%) felt unable to join in the celebrations with their family and friends.
Nicola Shaw, from County Down, was 44 when she had a stroke in the lead up to Christmas in 2022.
She said: “I was walking out of my spin class thinking about the boys’ school nativity and the presents I still had to wrap. Then, suddenly, my right arm was floppy, my tongue felt swollen and the right side of my face felt numb but tingly. I was instantly worried as I knew the symptoms weren’t good.”
For Nicola, all the joy of Christmas was replaced by anxiety and fear. Nicola is mum to two boys. Noah was five at the time of her stroke, and Dylan was eight. She found being a mother after her stroke very difficult because of its significant physical and mental impact.
She said: “It was really hard to be a mummy. I was too tired to cope with the noise and activity levels of the boys. It was so hard when my youngest, Noah, asked me ‘Mummy, why don’t you want to play with me?’ That broke my heart. Dylan, being slightly older, understood that I couldn’t do things as I wasn’t well.
“The stroke didn’t just happen to me. It happened to my family, and I felt a real responsibility not to add to their burden, for them not to be worrying more about me than what they already were.”
Nicola credits the Stroke Association with helping her step back out into the world again after her stroke. Nicola benefited from counselling through the charity’s STEPS emotional support service and weekly volunteer call service. She said speaking to somebody who understood what she was going through helped her feel less isolated and alone.
This year, Nicola is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas with her family as she believes her stroke has given her the gift of slowing down.
She said: “Christmas isn’t about things, it’s about being together. So, I’m looking forward to a really chilled Christmas where we don’t have to be anywhere or with anybody other than be present in the moment. I think that’s the gift of what having a stroke has given me.”
The Stroke Association has released a short film, ‘Still Christmas’, featuring home videos and photos shared by stroke survivors and their families, taken at Christmas time after their stroke. The film depicts the reality of facing Christmas after the impact of a stroke and how different this time of year can be for survivors and their families. High profile supporters Brian Cox, Alison Steadman OBE, Amanda Abbington, Nish Kumar, Nadia Sawalha, Christopher Chung, Jo Brand and Kiell Smith-Bynoe provide the narration.
Alasdair O’Hara, Northern Ireland Director of the Stroke Association, said: “For many of us, Christmas is a joyous occasion spent with our family and friends. But our powerful new film highlights that those things we take for granted may not be the same for stroke survivors. A stroke can have physical and cognitive impacts, as well as emotional trauma, with survivors facing a long journey to relearn lost skills and adapt to new circumstances. But, with strength, determination and the right support, recovery is possible.
“Stroke support like our helpline and NI emotional and communication support services are crucial at any time of year for stroke survivors and their loved ones. However, we know we are not reaching everyone who needs help. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to give the gift of stroke support this Christmas, whether as a donation, volunteering your time or fundraising, so that we can help more survivors and their loved ones find their strength and their way back to life after a stroke.”
The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. The ‘Still Christmas’ film premiered on Channel 4 on 19 November 2025 and is now online at stroke.org.uk/stillchristmas
References
1. Research conducted by Atomik Research among 1,001 respondents from across the UK, all of which were stroke survivors. 46% said they feel negative about Christmas as a result of their stroke. Of those, 30% said this was because they feel like they are a burden.
2. Of the 1,001 respondents, 43% of people had experienced a Christmas following their stroke.
About the research survey
• An online survey was conducted by Atomik Research among 1,001 respondents from across the UK, all were stroke survivors. The research fieldwork took place on 7th October – 13th October 2025.
• Atomik Research is an independent creative market research agency that employs MRS-certified researchers and abides to MRS code.
About the Stroke Association
• Over 4,000 people survive a stroke every year in NI, but surviving a stroke is just the start of a long and gruelling recovery journey.
• Mums, dads, grandparents, young people, even children – anyone can have a stroke, and its impact is traumatic.
• Brain damage, caused by a stroke, can leave survivors unable to move, see, speak or even swallow.
• The Stroke Association is the NI’s leading stroke specific charity providing lifelong support for stroke survivors and their families.
• Anyone affected by stroke can visit stroke.org.uk or call our dedicated Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100 for information, guidance or a chat when times are tough.
• You can follow us on X, Facebook , Instagram, TikTok and Linked
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