All about Woking Strokeability
How we started
Woking Strokeability was founded by David and Edna Balcombe. David suffered a stroke in January 2003 and failed to find rehabilitation classes for stroke survivors or similar disabilities locally. They formed Woking Strokeability as a registered charity, No. 1126721, on 1st November 2008, affiliated to the Stroke Association. Edna retired from active involvement in 2013 and we are pleased to say that we have been able to continue the good work and that the group has gone from strength to strength.
What we do
Woking Strokeability is a club providing aerobic exercise and aqua exercise for stroke survivors and those with similar disabilities such as multiple sclerosis, car accident victims, brain damage, etc. Isobel, our lead trainer, is qualified in stroke rehabilitation. Exercises cater for all ages and involve carers allowing everyone to work at their own level. They involve endurance, strength and resistance training as well as co-ordination skills to help promote mobility and flexibility.
Gym exercise at Woking Leisure Centre on Saturday afternoon
We have the exclusive use of a room - exercises are led by our specialist instructor who has experience and training in the rehabilitation of stroke victims. Exercises can be carried out in a wheelchair or sitting down. After a warm up session, members can use the specialist equipment, have personalised directed exercise or make full use of the wide range of standard gym equipment available.
Aqua aerobics on Tuesday morning at Woking Homes
We have the sole use of a heated pool that goes from approximately 2-5 feet deep. The pool is equipped with a disabled changing room and hoist for those who
need help getting into the water. We have an instructor leading activities in the water and members who need support can be joined by their carer in the water.
After the pool we usually meet up for lunch.
Other Organisations
As a small charity with a local focus we cannot cover everything that could help and support stroke survivors. We therefore partner with and utilise the services of other organisations within the voluntary sector to help our members. Organisations that we have relationship with include:
- Stroke Association providing help & support to stroke survivors, their carers & families
- The ARNI Institute for stroke rehabilitation & stroke exercise
- Sportability providing accessible challenging pursuits in across whole range of sports
- Gwennili Trust for wheelchair accessible sailing days in the Solent
- RYA Sailability at the Papercourt sailing club for local accessible sailing
- Dyscover providing long-term support to people with aphasia (speech & language difficulties)
- Swingbridge Community Boat canal boat with wheelchair lift providing River Wey day trips
- TALK offering long-term social support to people with aphasia through six groups across Surrey.
- KUALO runs our website and provides free website hosting for charities
Contacts
- Richard Edwards chair@wokingstrokeability.com
- Stella Bowden treasurer@wokingstrokeability.com
- Ben Anthony secretary@wokingstrokeability.com
- Val Cunningham val@wokingstrokeability.com
- Central phone number 01483 323575