Bringing stroke awareness to the forefront

Over the past month, staff at CBS have had the opportunity to attend a series of engaging and thought-provoking workshops delivered by the Stroke Foundation. Held at our Moonah head office, these sessions weren’t clinical in nature, nor aimed at professional training. Instead, they were all about raising awareness, helping our teams better understand stroke through the voices of those who’ve lived it.

The workshops were shaped around personal stories. People who had experienced stroke, either themselves or through loved ones, shared openly about the realities of life after stroke – the challenges, the adjustments, and the resilience it takes to move forward. These stories brought a human perspective to what can often be understood only in medical terms.

Speaking about her own lived experience with stroke, presenter Lesley Hall said “When I had a (completely unexpected!) stroke, I lost the ability to communicate. So I am now extremely grateful to be able to talk, and my Stroke Foundation presentation combines knowledge of stroke through my lived experience, and from many years of working as a physiotherapist in rehabilitation. I feel that participants become engaged after hearing my stroke story, and it’s rewarding to have the opportunity to spread important knowledge to a wider audience”.

By taking this more person-centred approach, the sessions highlighted the impact stroke can have not only on an individual, but on families and support networks. They helped us see beyond the diagnosis and statistics, and into the day-to-day experiences that many of our clients and potential clients live with.

A central focus of the sessions was the FAST message:

Face – Is their face drooping?

Arms – Can they lift both arms?

Speech – Is their speech slurred or strange?

Time – Time is critical. Call 000 straight away.

Understanding the FAST signs is key to early detection and better outcomes. The Stroke Foundation’s team made it clear: every minute counts. Prompt action can mean the difference between recovery and long-term disability, or even life and death.

Many attendees found the firsthand accounts powerful. They brought our values, especially respect and quality into focus. Supporting people to live the life they choose often begins with being understood, particularly after a stroke. “I enjoyed the presenter, he had lived experience and spoke authentically, which made the messages resonate,” said CBS coordinator Tom.

“I found the Stroke Foundation workshop informative and engaging. It gave me a clearer understanding of stroke prevention and how to better support clients who may be at risk”, added support worker Jane.

The Stroke Foundation’s approach mirrors our own: people first, always. Rather than clinical checklists, the sessions fostered genuine connection and awareness, a timely reminder for all of us, in the field and in the office, of why we do what we do.