Stephen Farlow’s transformative stroke recovery through song Fuels Sing4Stroke Campaign This May

Singer and stroke survivor Stephen Farlow

In 2016, Stephen Farlow, a 45-year-old well known musician from County Londonderry, faced a life-altering moment when a haemorrhagic stroke struck at the age of 36.

What followed was an extraordinary journey of recovery, powered by his lifelong passion for music, and a story that reveals the power of song that helped him regain his voice.

Stroke Association’s Sing4Stroke fundraising challenge was launched to mark Stroke Awareness Month, with initiative aiming to support the 4,000 stroke survivors in Northern Ireland and countless others across the UK, drawing on groundbreaking research that highlights music’s role in stroke recovery.

The stroke hit while Stephen and his wife, Pauline, were strolling through Portstewart, looking for a coffee shop. The sudden onset was terrifying.

Pauline recalls:

“Stephen started speaking like he had stones in his mouth, and he said that he didn’t feel well. I got him to the car and could see he was losing strength in his arm as he was trying to put on his seatbelt. By the time I got him to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine his co-ordination had gone. He was taken straight to A and E. It was a very surreal moment.”

At the hospital, doctors delivered a devastating prognosis, warning that Stephen was unlikely to survive. Yet, his resilience and love for music would prove them wrong.

Singer and stroke survivor Stephen Farlow with wife Pauline

Stephen, a seasoned musician who had performed gigs across Northern Ireland, worked in a local music shop, and recorded multiple albums, found himself stripped of speech in the aftermath of the stroke.

“Music is my life - it means everything to me,” Stephen said. “After I had my stroke, I could only really say a couple of words and they were ‘keyboard’ and ‘guitar’, but I was using them in the wrong context. I was so determined that I was going to be able to perform at concerts again - it was all I wanted to do.”

During his four-month hospital stay, singing became a lifeline. While words eluded him, melodies flowed, and his family and friends sang to him, rekindling his connection to music.

This phenomenon is not unique to Stephen. A Stroke Association survey of 1,000 stroke survivors revealed that 35% could sing better than speak soon after their stroke, with 26% able to sing or hum before regaining speech. Over half (54%) reported that singing, listening to music, or playing an instrument had a positive impact on their recovery, with 40% describing the effect as “massive.”

The benefits are both practical and emotional: 61% noted improved communication skills, 51% saw enhanced memory, and 51% reported better hearing.

Emotionally, 45% said singing helped them relax, 34% found it instilled hope, and 43% felt more positive.

Craig Moore, Northern Ireland Engagement Lead for the Stroke Association, explains the science:

“Stephen’s story is very inspirational as it shows how singing can be a powerful tool in stroke recovery for people like him who experience communication difficulties. Because music and singing are processed in a different part of the brain to spoken language, some people with communication problems find that they can sing easily, even though speaking is difficult.”

Research supports this, showing that singing can enhance communication and language skills for those with aphasia, a condition affecting one-third of stroke survivors, including Stephen.

The emotional toll of stroke is significant. The survey found that 59% of survivors experienced anxiety, 56% faced low mood, 52% had reduced confidence, and 40% felt socially isolated.

Stephen’s journey was no exception. The loss of speech and physical coordination challenged his identity as a musician, but his determination to perform again kept him going. Music became a source of hope, mirroring the 34% of survivors who said singing gave them optimism when speech was limited. His hospital room often filled with song, as loved ones sang to uplift him, fostering a sense of connection amidst isolation.

Public awareness of stroke’s impact remains low. A separate Stroke Association survey of 2,000 UK residents found that 28% are unaware that communication difficulties are a common stroke effect. This lack of understanding exacerbates the challenges faced by survivors with aphasia, who often struggle with reduced wellbeing and social exclusion.

To bridge this gap, the Stroke Association launched Sing4Stroke, a vibrant fundraising initiative encouraging people to sing—whether at home, on a livestream, at work, school, or through community events—to raise vital funds for stroke survivors and their families.

Participants in Sing4Stroke receive an easy-to-follow guide packed with fundraising tips and creative event ideas. Options include hosting a “Silence is Golden” event for those less confident in their vocal abilities, challenging a boss to sing for a £500 donation, or organising a community choir performance.

Those raising over £100 can enter a competition to win a golden microphone in categories like Best Cover, Best Original Song, and Best Group.

“Now, we need singers to show their support to stroke survivors and their families,” Moore urges.

“If you’re part of a choir or singing group, why not help us raise awareness of stroke this May and sing your hearts out by taking part in Sing4Stroke, and in doing so you’ll help make a lasting difference to stroke survivors and their loved ones.”

In Northern Ireland, where over 4,000 people survive a stroke annually, the road to recovery is long and arduous. The Stroke Association, the region’s leading stroke-specific charity, provides tailored support, funds critical research, and campaigns for improved care.

Stephen’s story is a testament to the resilience of survivors and the transformative power of music. His determination to return to the stage reflects the spirit of Sing4Stroke, a call to action for communities to rally together.

To join the Sing4Stroke challenge and support survivors like Stephen Farlow, visit www.stroke.org.uk/singing.

By raising your voice, you can help ensure that stroke survivors receive the lifelong support they need to rebuild their lives.