August 2025
This year is certainly flying by and we are already at August, it wont be long before the festive season is upon us once again but what we have learnt from our past is that the best course of action is to take one day at a time. Yes its fine to have plans, targets, dreams, aspirations, goals but maintain them to be realistic and achievable and you wont go far wrong.
Speaking about rights and wrongs, as part of StrokeInformation’s strategy to be innovative we implemented here at StrokeInformation a portal which allows anyone impacted by Stroke reach out to others impacted by Stroke and this was done via a WhatsApp platform whereby we have a main group for everyone and a ladies only group to allow things to be discussed which are not necessarily for all and it has been working extremely well. However as every day is a school day, we have learnt some very valuable lessons of late and I think it is only correct that we remind ourselves of some fairly basic Etiquette, so please when contacting anyone on WhatsApp please follow our guidelines where practically possible.
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- Respect Privacy: Be mindful of others’ privacy and avoid sharing personal information or media without permission.
- Respond Promptly (But Respectful of Time): Aim to respond to messages in a timely manner, but also understand that others may not always be available and respect their boundaries.
- Use Clear and Concise Language: Avoid ambiguity and ensure your messages are easy to understand.
- Proofread Before Sending: Double-check for errors and clarity before hitting “send”.
- Use Emojis Wisely: While emojis can enhance communication, avoid overusing them or using them in a way that could be misinterpreted.
- Respect Privacy: Be mindful of others’ privacy and avoid sharing personal information or media without permission.
- Respect Group Purpose: Stay on topic in group chats and avoid irrelevant or spammy content.
- Be Mindful of Group Sizes: Large groups can be overwhelming, so consider being specific for who it is intended by using the @ symbol to refer to someone in particular which will allow others to simply scroll past as it is not relevant for all.
- Avoid Unnecessary Forwarding: Only forward messages if they are relevant and likely to be of interest to the recipient.
- Consider Tone and Context: Be mindful of how your messages might be perceived, especially in group chats or when communicating with people you don’t know well.
- Don’t Ignore Messages: If you don’t want to engage in a conversation, it’s better to politely decline or end it rather than ignoring messages.
- Use the group for its intended purpose: Avoid using the group for private conversations or to discuss unrelated topics.
- Keep conversations relevant: Avoid posting off-topic content or sending excessive messages.
- Avoid arguments and negativity: Steer clear of heated discussions and negativity within the group.
- Respect individual preferences: Some people may prefer to be contacted via private messages, so respect those preferences.
- Be mindful of the time: Avoid sending messages late at night or early in the morning unless it’s urgent.
- Don’t use the group to air grievances: Address personal issues with individuals privately.
- Be considerate of others’ time: Avoid asking questions that have already been answered or that could easily be found elsewhere.Whatsapp peer to peer support group terms and conditions
The purpose of the peer to peer support groups for stroke survivors, family or carers, is to provide a support network and create a trusting community offering support to each other, and importantly, benefiting from participation within the community or communities.
Disclaimer:
This Whatsapp group was set up by and fully organised by stroke survivors.
This Whatsapp group does not have a moderator (i.e. someone who reads all the posts) and there are no qualified medical or social care staff involved in responding. This Whatsapp group is not an appropriate source of urgent help for either physical or mental health problems.If you have acute physical symptoms, including BEFAST stroke symptoms you should seek urgent medical help by calling 999.
Posting Guidelines
- Rather than have a strict form of terms and conditions for group involvement we ask all participants to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Respect Privacy:
In a trust based environment it is essential that all participants’ contact numbers (including name and number) are not shared outside the group, and that all discussions are treated confidentially. - Respect and Civility:
Engage in respectful, constructive, and helpful communication. - Inappropriate Content:
Under no circumstances share any content that could be interpreted as inappropriate, upsetting, or offensive, including language that is offensive or discriminatory. - No Advertising:
Advertising or promoting for-profit products or services is prohibited within the group. - Relevant Discussions:
Keep conversations focused on the group’s purpose, avoiding off-topic or irrelevant messages. - Appropriate Timing:
Be mindful of sending messages at inappropriate or antisocial times, such as before 8 am or after 10 pm unless it is an emergency.
Responsibilities of Group Members:
- Consent: All members should consent to being part of the group or groups, as their phone number and full name will be visible to all members.
- Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality regarding all discussions within the group.
- Respectful Communication: Engage in polite and respectful communication with all members.
- No Bullying or Harassment: Any form of bullying, harassment, or discrimination will result in immediate expulsion.
- Avoid Unnecessary Messages: If a message is not relevant to the majority of members, it’s recommended to message the person directly instead of the group.
Group Administrator Rights:
- Enforcement:
Group administrators have the absolute right to remove members who violate the group guidelines. - Monitoring:
Administrators may monitor conversations to help and support when needed and may ask members to remove inappropriate messages. - Privacy and Consent:
Administrators should ensure that all members consent to being part of the group before adding them, as member’s mobile phone numbers will be visible to all
Urgent Medical Treatment
If you are in acute mental distress or if you are considering ending your life, please follow the advice below:
If you feel you cannot keep yourself safe, go to A&E at your nearest hospital. Call 999 for an ambulance if you need to.
There will always be a mental health professional on duty who you can talk to.
Contact a Samaritan on 116 123
“If you need someone to talk to, we listen. We won’t judge or tell you what to do.”
2 pics courtesy of RP on his recent journey touring Scotland. - Respect Privacy: