The Heath Stroke Club was opened in August 1983. The purpose of the Club is to take over when the period of hospital treatment is finished. When stroke patients are discharged from hospital, there can be a big void in their lives, and because of the often huge physical and mental disabilities they have suffered, plus the lack of confidence associated with a stroke, patients are reluctant to join clubs that deal with other disabilities.

Our Club is unique in the fact that there is no other Club in the United Kingdom which operates on a full-time basis, thus ironically, making the people of Calderdale fortunate in having this service available to them.

We have 80 places available each week, and a waiting list is currently in operation. As well as striving to meet the individual needs of our members, we also support their families by offering information and counselling, these services are also available to other members of the public and interested parties.

We are jointly funded by Calderdale Metropolitan Council's Social Services and Calderdale & Kirklees Health Authority. The grant however, only partially meets the cost of our staff salaries. Other costs, such as equipment, administration and general operating costs, have to be met by other means, such as donations and fund-raising efforts.

Visitors are always welcome to view our facilities and discuss their needs.

Stroke Club News (Mar 03)

The end of 2002 to March 2003 has been a very eventful time for all involved with the Stroke Club. Our new Cook, Linda Pickles, made an excellent job of the Christmas Party, providing a superb traditional lunch with all the trimmings and continues to offer our members a really enjoyable meal each day, Monday to Friday.

We have a new escort/care assistant, Sheila Sutcliffe, who works 15 hours a week, to ensure that we always have a driver and escort on both our buses.

Maureen Hadlow, our new manager, commenced on 10th February. Maureen is a State Registered nurse with many years experience and skills that will benefit the further development of our service and enhance the day care experience of our members. To complete the team, we welcome Janet Barrett as our Senior Care Assistant. Janet started on 10th March and has much to offer in terms of experience, she is qualified to NVQ level 3 in Direct Care, and is also an NVQ assessor and verifier. All four new members of the team are caring, happy, outgoing individuals, who along with our valued existing staff, Bob, David and Karen, are determined to make a success of our Stroke Club.

Your support for fund raising events will be greatly appreciated. Maureen plans to have regular coffee mornings and cake stalls, so please watch Heath’s Diary for dates - the next one is on 16th April between 10.30am and 12 noon, everyone welcome.

Our thanks on behalf of the Stroke Club go to all the staff for pulling together to keep things going and for giving a warm welcome to new staff.

Thanks to Sylvia Barker and Christine Robson, who joined the Care Team at a critical time and ensured standards of administration and care were maintained and improved where needed. Thanks also to Barbara and Brian Heptonstall, their daughter Susan, Harold and Jean Sutcliffe, Muriel Robinson, Stewart Barstow, and our minister Rev Graham Robson for being wonderful volunteers. Thanks also to Trevor Pratley, our accountant, and Liz Riley, our Secretary, Jean Bull, our typist, and all the Trustees, a big thank you and God bless.

May we go forward from strength to strength.

June Jones (Trustee)