Actors Reading to Stroke Patients at Clayponds Hospital

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Scheme from charity Interact is supported by the London Freemasons

An actor reads to a stroke patient as part of the Interact scheme

March 12, 2025

Patients at Clayponds Hospital being treated after having strokes are being aided in their recovery by a project in which professional actors read to them.

The programme at the facility on the border of Ealing and Brentford has been set up by the charity InterAct Stroke Support and is one of a number of similar initiatives across the UK. The intention is to aid recovery by engaging patients in meaningful interactions that stimulate cognitive and emotional well-being. These sessions have been shown to improve mood, boost morale, and aid in the rehabilitation process by providing mental stimulation.

A £3,500 grant from the London Freemasons will specifically support InterAct’s work at Clayponds Hospital and has enabled the charity to deliver two-hour reading sessions twice a week, bringing literature, poetry, and storytelling into the hospital setting. This funding secures the continued delivery of InterAct's award-winning service.

Hospital staff have praised the service’s effectiveness. As one healthcare professional noted, “The actors engage with our patients in a way that we can’t always do. They bring laughter, joy, and memories back to life, which is so important for the recovery process.”

Staff say that the readings not only help patients reconnect with language and memory but also foster an environment of healing and emotional uplift, reducing feelings of isolation and improving overall morale on the wards.

The hospital staff at Clayponds appreciate how these readings enrich the rehabilitation experience and complement the medical care provided.

InterAct Stroke Support CEO Nirjay Mahindru said, "We are incredibly grateful to the London Freemasons for their generous grant, which will allow us to continue our important work at Clayponds Hospital. Our live readings have a profound impact on stroke survivors, providing cognitive stimulation and much-needed emotional support. With this funding, we can ensure that more patients will benefit from our award-winning service, helping them on their journey to recovery.”

Paul King from London Freemasons, said, “People who have had a stroke have a wide range of outcomes, and we’re very proud to support InterAct Stroke Support in using their innovative methods to support the recovery process, and hopefully arrive at the best outcome for each patient.”

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