Stories from our F.A.S.T. campaigners

 Our local F.A.S.T. campaigners have been busy spreading the F.A.S.T. message in their own communities and workplaces.

These local campaigns took many forms and included different activities depending on the groups organising it.

Some groups handed out flyers to their family members and friends, others organised public meetings with over a hundred people. Many teamed up with their local Boots pharmacy to hold a campaign launch and information day. Others blanketed their local community with posters and leaflets. Many held information stands in hospitals and public buildings.

All of them helped to increase stroke awareness.

A number of campaigners sent us a couple of words to tell us about their experience of running a local campaign.

Local F.A.S.T. campaigners

 "I think it is important for individuals to consider running a F.A.S.T. campaign. The more people we get the message out to, the better chances of someone doing something sooner rather than later for the individual. Feedback was positive from all the individuals whom I spoke to about stroke or gave information to."

"It can be as big or as small as you want. I ran it with a group I am working with and they found the information to be useful and simple to understand. Just think that if you run a campaign you could raise awareness of stroke and help people get medical assistance more quickly."

"I worked as part of a team in Sligo General Hospital who ran a F.A.S.T. awareness session. I found the session very enjoyable and found there to be a great level of interest among the general public regarding the F.A.S.T. campaign. I would greatly encourage everyone to get involved!"

"The F.A.S.T. campaign was very well organised and has increased the awareness of the need to act fast when stroke symptoms present. The posters and t-shirts are catchy, and the TV ads have captured a very large audience."

"The simple message really struck a chord. Because the client group I work with are at a higher risk of having a TIA [mini-stroke], it was very beneficial for staff and relatives to get that information."

"Knowledge is paramount. The information is available and needs to get out to the public. It is very easy to put a poster up on a blank piece of wall, door or any public area. Every little helps!"

"It was a good experience. The Headway staff and clients really enjoyed promoting the F.A.S.T. campaign. It was a day out of the ordinary and it gave Headway’s clients a nice feeling of helping others instead of being helped themselves."

"I set up at our local car boot sale where I knew I would be in direct contact with locals and visitors. People were drawn to the stall by the F.A.S.T. posters. I successfully handed out loads of cards and leaflets and engaged in conversation about the campaign and the TV adverts."

"It was a great experience. Members of our stroke support group - stroke survivors and their families - were the key participants. I think it is really important to engage health service users in health promotion. The message is much more powerful when it comes from stroke survivors, rather than from health professionals alone."

"The workplace is great place to promote F.A.S.T. as you have a captive audience. A lot of people do not understand the connection between heart disease and stroke. The F.A.S.T. campaign helped clarify this when I spoke with employees about the connection."

"The posters are so specific and after seeing them people felt comforted that they could quite easily recognise the signs of stroke."