Plymouth Life Centre supports stroke survivors in their recovery

Plymouth Life Centre has given 20 Swim Vouchers to the Stroke Association to help stroke survivors with their recovery and partake in swimming, which is a very good form of exercise. The Centre gave the vouchers to the local stroke team after being inspired by one stroke survivor who has recently taken up swimming again.

Dean Chard,Duty Manager from Plymouth Life Centre, said “When Marie from the Stroke Association visited the centre with one of her clients I took them on a tour. I showed them all the facilities that we have to help people with disabilities and offered them a free trial session to make it easy to get started.”

Stroke causes a greater range of disabilities than any other condition, with over 70% of stroke survivors experiencing physical difficulties.

Marie White, Information, Advice and Support Coordinator from the Stroke Association adds, “I am passionate about helping stroke survivors in their recovery and a return or introduction to some kind of exercise can really help. I am very grateful to Plymouth Life Centre for helping me with this.”

The centre has good facilities and options for stroke survivors and people with a disability;

• They have an Adult Gentle Swim in Zone C on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Fridays from 12noon to 1pm, this session is suitable during school term time and would be ideal for stroke survivors to have a relaxed swim.
• There are disability changing and shower areas, toilets, wheel chairs, automatic and manual lifts to assist persons to get in and out of the water as well as automatic lifts to get from floor to floor.
• After the initial trial swim, the stroke survivor swimmers would get a concessionary rate of £3.05 per swim and if they require a registered carer the carer would be able to swim with and assist them for free.
• Plymouth Pisces hire the diving pool on Sundays from 11.15 – 13.15. The floor of the pool is raised for this session. They charge a concessionary rate for persons with disabilities and have helpers too, the contact for the club is Irene Wills on 01752 509917.

In addition to helping stroke survivors with their recovery the Leisure Centre will also be working with the Stroke Association to raise awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke. On the 18 May the stroke team will be on hand to offer free blood pressure checks at Plymouth Life Centre, as part of Action on Stroke Month.

Marie adds “High blood pressure affects 16 million people in the UK, yet it has no symptoms. Around 50% of all strokes are caused by High Blood Pressure, we urge everyone to get theirs checked.”

If you are a stroke survivor and want to find out more about the swim vouchers, please contact the Plymouth office on 01752252172. To find out more about the Stroke Association’s work you can visit www.stroke.org.uk

To find out more about Plymouth Life Centre you can visit www.everyoneactive.com or follow them on facebook.com/eaPlymouth or on twitter @eaPlymouth.