By Win Roddy
It is recognised that a stroke is life changing, not just for survivors but for families and carers. Recovery takes time and for many, staying active and feeling independent, is crucial to recovery.
The Different Strokes charity helps stroke survivors and their families in the UK through active peer support.
The Different Strokes Leeds’ Group meet in Armley Leisure Centre every Friday afternoon. It is an informal mutual support group.
Since its launch, attendance has gradually increased to approximately forty members, plus carers – all from diverse backgrounds sharing common goals. Ages range from three years (they accompany stroke survivor mum) to 80 years plus.
They organise a number of social events – trips out for meals, to the seaside, theatre, Christmas pantomimes and bowling. Also a wide range of other activities designed to give everyone an opportunity to do something they would not normally do.
Activities include badminton, table tennis, chess, dominoes, backgammon, etc – or if anyone chooses, they can just sit and talk, or just sit and not talk, drink tea, eat biscuits!
Group co-ordinator Lynne Archer experienced a stroke seven and a half years ago.
She thoroughly enjoys her role and explains how involvement with the group has given her the opportunity to “meet and make new friends with people from all walks of life, and to understand how stroke affects everyone in different ways, carers as well as fellow sufferers”. Lynne has been group co-ordinator for the past four years.
Volunteer Pete describes his role with the group as largely supporting people and helping to ease any initial uncertainty they may feel.
He believes that getting people to engage by encouraging participation in social activity is important for recovery but “there is no obligation, no-one needs to explain, everyone can just be themselves”.
Chrissie, a single mother, was initially reluctant to attend the group following a severe stroke three years ago.
It took some encouragement by ward staff prior to her discharge from the LGI. With the strong support she credits to her family, she says she now feels “more switched on and physically much better, my zest for life is returning”.
Now an active member, she says she looks forward to coming to the weekly sessions “it is a relaxed and non judgemental group”.
Simon joined the group 13 years ago following a fairly severe stroke and a lengthy stay in hospital. He explained how it affected his whole body: “Walking, arms, hands, speech, I could no longer play my guitar and had to learn to write with my left hand. I have since learned to play the harmonica.”
Along with his positive mental attitude, he says his “voice benefitted considerably from speech therapy and attending Giving Voice, a community choir for adults with neurological conditions”.
Simon’s recovery journey continues, as does his love of music, he now plays in a band ‘Simon & the Moondogs’, along with group members Pete and Toby.
He heard about Different Strokes through his friend Dev while in hospital and now the two of them are hospital visitors at Chapel Allerton Stroke Rehab Ward.
Simon puts the success of Different Strokes Leeds down to its central location, the helpfulness of the Armley Leisure Centre staff and the general atmosphere of friendliness. “The group is similar to a youth club where everyone is welcome, though some of us are useless at bowling” he added.
Whatever personal challenges the group have had to overcome, they all have an interesting story to tell, clearly demonstrating what can be achieved post stroke with the benefit of mutual peer support.
Different Strokes is a national charity dedicated to helping stroke survivors as well as their carers and families, more detailed information can be found on the website. There are around 30 groups about the country with many services online. Different Strokes Leeds is one of its groups.
Different Strokes Leeds meets every Friday (1pm–3pm) at Armley Leisure Centre.
- For further information contact the Different Strokes Leeds Central group co-ordinator, Lynne Archer on 0113 418 2833 or e-mail leedscentral@differentstrokes.co.uk.
- May is national Stroke Awareness Month.
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