Peer Support Group gives hope to stroke survivors

Clinical psychologists at the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre at University Hospital Llandough, with the help of volunteers, host Peer Support Group Sessions to encourage patients and their relatives to talk to each other about practical and emotional effects of living with stroke.

The group was set up by trainee clinical psychologist Chris Stamatakis in collaboration with clinical psychologists Professor Reg Morris, Dr Sam Fisher and Dr Julie Wilcox.

A number of stroke survivors, Cliff Barber and John and Mair Griffiths, were trained to jointly run the group alongside the psychologists.

The group consists of five weekly sessions with each session introducing broad themes such as fatigue, medication, leisure activities, difficulties with memory and concentration as well as mood changes.

The group also discusses matters such as practical tips, benefits, exercise and socialising.

Consultant clinical psychologist Dr Julie Wilcox said: “Often it is only when individuals are discharged and return home that the full impact of the stroke is recognised and the person may feel that the support is no longer there for them.

“Stroke survivors, who are further on in their recovery post-stroke, offer social, practical and emotional support to people who have more recently experienced a stroke.”

Stroke survivor Ken Nazareth worked as a pharmacist before having a stroke three months after a heart transplant. He has attended the Stroke Peer Support Group and talked about his life since his stroke three years ago.

“I found the support group useful in the sense that there were like-minded people who wanted to approach it in a positive way," he said, "Rather than just getting more wrapped up in the fact you’ve got a problem.

“You’ve just got to get used to being somebody who has a degree of disability.”

The group runs regularly at University Hospital Llandough. For further information, contact the Psychology Department on 029 2071 5996 or 0292071 6827.