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Stroke Association and SMILE Through Sport team up for stroke survivors

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Stroke Association and SMILE Through Sport team up for stroke survivors

The Stroke Association in South Tyneside has teamed up with SMILE Through Sport, to help local stroke survivors get more active.

The Stroke Association runs a Family and Carer Support Service and Community Integration Service across South Tyneside. As part of the local services, the charity organised eight fortnightly sessions with SMILE Through Sport, held at Temple Park Community Centre.

Running from Monday 30 January until 27 March, up to 20 stroke survivors could enjoy accessible sporting activities and pursuits including Boccia, new age curling, table top cricket, athletics and foam javelin throwing.

Mark O’Connell, 53 from Bolden Colliery had a stroke in 2012, which left him with weakness in his life. After being supported by the Stroke Association’s Community Integration Service he was introduced to the SMILE Through Sport.

Mark said: “After a stroke, you can tend to withdraw yourself from social activity. The SMILE Through Sport sessions helped me to get out of the house and be more active. They also helped me to focus my mind. It was great to be around people who are in the same boat as me.”

Nigel Rickaby, Family and Carer Support Coordinator at the Stroke Association, said: “More people than ever before are surviving a stroke. But many stroke survivors tell us that after all the effort to save their lives they then feel isolated or experience low mood when they return home.

“The SMILE Through Sport sessions provided an opportunity for stroke survivors to meet others who are also experiencing a life after stroke, benefit from exercise, build their confidence, lift their mood and enjoy learning new skills. We’re thrilled it has been so popular and we hope the stroke survivors who have taken part can apply their new skills for future goals.”

SMILE through Sport is a disability sports organisation in the North East, aiming to inspire, educate and engage people into and about disability sport. The company was founded in 2013 by Paralympian Stephen Miller MBE. The Start to SMILE project, which is a three year funded Sport England project, aims to increase sporting opportunities for individuals with a disability aged 14 years and over. The project delivers sports such as Athletics, Boccia, Cricket and Multi-Sport activities.

Jenni Wade-Rudin, Inclusive Sport Project Officer at SMILE Through Sport, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting and working with the Stroke Association, to provide stroke survivors the opportunity to engage and try new and different sports. Sport is a great tool that can provide so many positive outcomes and benefits, which the South Shields group seems to be experiencing. Our sessions are delivered in a friendly welcoming environment where the emphasis is on fun, enjoyment and laughter throughout, we even bring out that competitive sport spirit so people didn't even know they had!”

Participants are now also preparing for a day session at Calvert Trust in Keilder where they will take part in outdoor activities, including clay pigeon shooting.

The Stroke Association provides a Family and Carer Support Service in South Tyneside, and the Community Integration Service, in partnership with South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group. For more information about the support available in South Tyneside, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.

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  • A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year; that is around one stroke every five minutes. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke. 
  • Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
  • Contacts

    Vicki Hall

    Vicki Hall

    Press contact PR Manager Fundraising and local services 0161 742 7478

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    The UK's leading stroke charity helping people to rebuild their lives after stroke

    The Stroke Association. We believe in life after stroke. That’s why we campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best possible recovery. It’s why we fund research to develop new treatments and ways to prevent stroke. The Stroke Association is a charity. We rely on your support to change lives and prevent stroke. Together we can conquer stroke.

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