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A group of young women reclaiming their independence and confidence after suffering a stroke are planning a fantastic fundraising evening – a must for country music fans.
‘Young Women After Stroke’ is the only group of its kind in the UK.
It currently has 25 members – aged between 16 and 55 – from across Armagh, Dungannon, Craigavon, Banbridge and Newry and Mourne.
The group meets every fortnight in Brownlow Community Hub to share information and support each other.
And they have organised a number of fundraising and stroke awareness campaigns, like the upcoming ‘Sing for Stroke’ country music showcase in the Bannvale House Hotel.
It is due to take place on October 6, with the some great acts on stage!
Lee Matthews, Brendan Quinn, Marty Mone, Warren Smyth, Colin Elliot, Farmer Dan, Cowboy Larry Taaffe – and a few more surprise acts to come – will make for a great night’s music, dancing and craic!
Tickets cost £10 and are on sale now from Valerie, telephone 079 4727 3013 or any of the ladies in the group.
The members also had the chance recently to meet with a Senior Health and Social Care Trust Manager to share their views and experiences of services.
Roisin Toner, Assistant Director of Enhanced Care for the Southern Trus, said: “As well as the very physical affects it can have, stroke can completely turn people’s lives around, having an impact on self-confidence, relationships and employment status.
“We want to help people to recover as much as they can and as quickly as possible following a stroke, so after their discharge from hospital, our team of specialist nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, clinical psychologist, speech and language therapists and rehabilitation assistants, provide intensive support to clients in their own homes for up to 12 weeks.
“Some people will need ongoing support following this rehabilitation period and so we work closely with partners like the Stroke Association who offer fantastic services like the Young Women After Stroke group to help our clients regain normality.
“I was absolutely delighted to meet this inspirational group of women who are supporting each other through the many social and psychological consequences that having experienced a stroke has on their lives.
“Despite their own personal challenges, they have invested so much energy into a number of heart lifting events to promote awareness and raise funds for this very worthy cause.
“We are continually striving to improve our services and look forward to working more closely with the Young Woman’s Group to use their experiences and views to help enhance the quality of live for all stroke survivors.”
For more information on Stroke www.stroke.org.uk or to find out more about Young Women After Stroke or the ‘Sing for Stroke’ event Tel: 077 0133 9169 or Email: Valerie.dale@stroke.org.uk
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