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 Tesco Community Room in the Serpentine Shopping Centre, in Hampton, Peterborough. 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, emotional, and social 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 Tesco Community Room is in the Serpentine Shopping Centre. Enter the shopping centre through the entrance next to Pure Gym, and turn left towards the food court. The community room is on your left just before the food court. See the video below about where to go to find the room.

You can park for free in the Serpentine car parks for up to 4 hours; there is a charge over 4 hours. There are disability / blue badge parking spaces near the entrance.

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 find the Tesco Community Room in the Serpentine Shopping Centre: