WATERS2 | The University of Manchester

Wellbeing After Stroke - 2 (WAterS-2) 

Research upskilling a workforce to deliver inclusive, accessible psychological support after stroke.

WAterS-2 is a research study that developed and tested an accessible psychological support programme for stroke survivors, considering ‘real-world’ implementation.

In previous research (WAterS-1), we collaborated with stroke survivors to co-produce a psychological support programme, and found it could be successfully delivered and was also highly valued. We co-developed WAterS-2 to reach more stroke survivors, including those often overlooked in healthcare and research.

The study has now been completed. Our findings show that trained NHS staff, including peer support workers with lived experience of stroke, can deliver psychological support based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and that stroke survivors value this support.

WAterS-2 was funded by the Stroke Association and represents a partnership between The University of Manchester, the University of Nottingham, Northern Care Alliance, and others.  

Watch a video explaining why we did the WAterS-2 study, what the programme involved, what we found and what happens next.

Download the accessible report: Wellbeing After Stroke (WAterS-2) Project Report (accessible version) (PDF)

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Project background
Project stages and timeline
News and updates
Connect

Project background

Supporting psychological adjustment is the number one research priority for Life After Stroke, but we don’t know what support might work or who should provide it.

In earlier work (WAterS-1), we collaborated with stroke survivors to co-produce a psychological support programme based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This was offered online, by trained staff, to groups of stroke survivors. We found it could be successfully delivered and was highly valued by staff and stroke survivors. 

WAterS-2 built on this work. Our aims were to:

improve the programme and training;
make it more accessible and inclusive, particularly for people from ethnic communities and people with communication difficulties;
test delivery in NHS settings;
learn how it could be implemented more widely.

The WAterS-2 study has now been completed. The findings showed that stroke survivors valued the programme and that staff, including peer support workers with lived experience of stroke, could successfully deliver it following training. We also identified important areas for future development and research.

Read the WAterS-2 report:

WAterS-2 Project Report (accessible version) (PDF)

Find out more about WAterS-1:

Easy-access report on WAterS-1 findings (PDF)
WAterS-1 main scientific paper (Clinical Rehabilitation)
Conference presentation of WAterS-1 findings (YouTube)

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The WAterS-2 Research Advisory Panel (RAP) – visit our patient and carer public involvement (PCPI) page for more information.

Project stages and timeline

WAterS-2 was conducted between October 2023 and March 2026.

The project had two stages: Stage A (co-development) and Stage B (feasibility testing). All aspects of study design were informed by our large group of collaborators.

Learn more about the different stages of the project and timeline.

Project stages and timeline

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