Short films created to improve self-management by Black people living with stroke

Short films exploring Black people’s experiences of stroke have been released as outputs from a research project led by UWE Bristol and Kingston University.

Launched during Stroke Awareness Month, the film resources offer advice for those living with stroke and healthcare professionals.

Black people in the UK are more likely to have a stroke than white people, and experience stroke at a younger age. They are especially affected by conditions, such as sickle cell disease and diabetes, which increase their stroke risk.

Prior to this project, little was known about Black people’s experiences of stroke in the UK and the support they need to adapt and manage their health more effectively.

For the ISSMAS (Inclusivity in Stroke Self-Management Support) project, researchers worked in partnership with people from Black African and Caribbean communities living with stroke in England - people whose voices are seldom heard in discussions around stroke. They carried out in-depth interviews and then co-produced two films with a team of Black people who have experienced stroke, and their carers.

The first short film is aimed at helping Black people increase their skills, knowledge and confidence following a diagnosis of stroke. The film shares personal journeys and offers advice on how to cope and adapt. The second film has been created to help healthcare professionals improve their support to Black people living with stroke. The film aims to bring healthcare professionals closer to people’s experiences, and reflect on how to improve service provision.

Dr Jo White, a Senior Research Fellow in UWE Bristol’s School of Health and Social Wellbeing, said: “We are incredibly proud of this work and heartened by the interest and discussions that the films are already generating.

“This work would not have been possible without the Black people living with stroke who were generous enough to share their experiences and worked closely with us to co-produce the two films.

“The films are unique, and we hope they can make a tangible difference. We are collaborating with community organisations, national organisations and health service representatives to ensure these outputs have as much impact as possible.”

The ISSMAS project is funded by the National Institute of Health and Social Care’s Research for Patient Benefit programme and is a collaboration between UWE Bristol and Kingston University. It is supported by the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board.

The project team are now developing a follow-on project to embed the films within NHS services, and are sharing the films within Black communities to stimulate discussion and action.

Tushna Vandrevala, Professor of Health Psychology at Kingston University, said: “Our work has highlighted the disproportionate impacts that living with stroke have on Black communities, the importance of positive interactions with healthcare professionals, and how negative experiences, such as racial microaggression, stereotyping and discrimination impact trust.

“Healthcare services need to be culturally aligned and provide safe spaces for all patients. For Black communities there needs to be more awareness about stroke risks and open conversations to address stigma and isolation.”

More information about the project can be found on the project webpage.