CLCH neuro team empowers stroke survivors to rebuild their lives in Hertfordshire

An innovative vocational rehabilitation service has launched in Hertfordshire to support stroke survivors on their recovery journey and facilitate their safe return to work.

Following the success of a pilot that secured funding, the service is being led by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), with our Neuro team in Hertfordshire working collaboratively with Herts and West Essex ICB, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), and Hertfordshire Community Trust (HCT).

Our neuro team has been fundamental in conducting comprehensive assessments to identify each patient's vocational goals, with interventions tailored to meet their needs. These include job demand analysis, self-management strategies, work-hardening programs, employer education, and support with return-to-work plans, including advocacy for reasonable adjustments.

The service comprises a multi-disciplinary team, including an Occupational Therapist, a Speech and Language Therapist, and a Clinical Psychologist, who deliver personalised support through face-to-face and virtual consultations. Additionally, a virtual return-to-work educational and peer support group provides a platform for patients to share experiences and offer mutual encouragement, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout their journey.

This new service addresses a critical gap in stroke community care across the county by providing tailored vocational rehabilitation. It helps patients rebuild their lives, regain confidence, and transition back to work while supporting both their physical and emotional recovery.

In the UK, over a third of the 1.3 million annual strokes affect working-age adults, yet only 44% of survivors return to work. Returning to work is a high priority, providing daily structure, boosting self-esteem, and improving mental health. For many, it is a crucial part of recovery and regaining independence after a stroke.

Here’s some of the glowing feedback the service has received from both patients and clinicians.

• “I look back on how I was when I started, and I can’t recognise myself—this service helped me cope with work. I felt validated and supported. It’s been vital for me.”
• “Without this service, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to return to work. It’s helped me make constant progress, rather than regressing.”
• “Thanks to this service, I can go back to work and live my life.”
• “I feared the future. Now, I know I can’t change it, but I’m able to cope with it.”
• “Your service provides support at a time when clients are ready to return to work but face challenges. Input from therapists who understand these challenges is invaluable and meets a clear need.”

By adopting this integrated approach to support stroke patients, it is hoped that clinicians across Hertfordshire will collaborate with the service to share dynamic knowledge and enhance vocational rehabilitation. This will enable stroke survivors to thrive and confidently begin their return-to-work journey.