Community, connection, and lived experience sit at the heart of stroke recovery — and in this episode of Head‑Cast, Greg Hollingworth from Different Strokes brings all three to life.

Greg shares his own journey as a working‑age stroke survivor and explains how peer‑led support has transformed recovery for thousands of people since the charity began in 1996. This conversation goes beyond clinical pathways and into the real, human work of rebuilding life after stroke.

In this episode

• Greg’s personal story and how his stroke shaped his commitment to helping others

• The founding and evolution of Different Strokes, supporting working‑age survivors for 30 years

• Why peer support offers something that traditional medical advice often can’t

• How community, shared stories, and honest conversations provide hope and realism

• The charity’s approach to personalised support, exercise groups, and mental‑health resources

• How lived experience drives volunteer leadership and shapes the charity’s direction

• Fundraising, upcoming events, and how to get involved

• The challenges of COVID and how the community adapted and stayed connected

• Setting boundaries, pacing, and learning to live in the present

• The role of humour, storytelling, and practical wisdom in emotional healing

Key Takeaways

• Peer support matters — it offers relatable encouragement that clinical care alone can’t provide

• Stories reduce stigma and help survivors feel seen, understood, and less alone

• Volunteer‑led organisations can create deep impact through authenticity and empathy

• Flexibility, patience, and presence are essential in recovery

• Supporting charities sustains vital community resources for survivors and families

Greg’s journey is a reminder that recovery is not just medical — it’s communal. When survivors connect, share, and lift each other, healing becomes possible in ways no leaflet or appointment can replicate.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a stroke, reach out. Support is here, and recovery is possible.