Peterborough Stroke Group

What to expect

The stroke group members know that not knowing what to expect at a new group and place can be a big barrier when you have a disability, especially when it’s fairly recently acquired. They will give you a warm welcome and make you feel included!

The group meet in the bar of the Sports Club, just inside the entrance. The venue has good accessibility and no steps; there are nearby disability parking bays, and a special ramp for wide wheelchairs. There are toilets near the room.

Families and carers of people who had a stroke are also welcome to come, where they can get ideas, help and understanding from other carers.

The fortnightly meet-ups are a chance to socialise over tea/coffee, and they frequently invite guest speakers to give useful information that the group are interested in, such as from the Stroke Association, hospital services, dementia support, and more. Members feel that they not only get support around the physical aspects of life after a stroke, but mental and emotional as well. You can share your experiences and challenges with people in similar situations; you aren’t alone.

The group also arrange fun outings, such as lunches, visits to gardens, parks like Ferry Meadows, and the seaside. They also sometimes play boccia, which is similar to bowls, but in a rather informal and not competitive way – it’s a good laugh and a bit of exercise!

Members told H.A.Y.:

“Coming to a group like this, it feels so warm and friendly, you feel welcome.”

“Initially [after a stroke] I felt isolated, I thought I was the only one. It’s so difficult to speak to someone who is ‘able’, even your wife and kids, they don’t know what you’re feeling, it’s not just physical but mental, too.”

“As a wife of someone who had a stroke, it can be very lonely, you’re suddenly a carer and you don’t know what to do. Here, you can talk to other family carers and hear what helps them.”

So the Stroke Group urge you to “come on, give us a try!”

More information

The Sports Club is across from Peterborough City Hospital. The entrance to the carpark is on the left, immediately after the bus stop after you turn onto Cavell Close. Parking is free for visitors to the Club, but you must sign in with your car registration number near reception (see photo below). The entrance is on the other side of the building from the car park, with a paved path that goes around the left side of the building.

There is a very small cost to help cover the venue hire, and additional costs for activities, please ask them direct for more information.

See how to get into the Peterborough City Sports Club where the Stroke Group meet, including where to enter your car registration details so you won’t get a ticket for parking there: