Throughout Sefton’s Year of Friendship, Sefton Council is dedicated to reducing loneliness by making residents aware of the many groups and activities on offer throughout the borough.

The Council would like to highlight the Stroke Association’s work to tackle isolation for Sefton residents who are recovering from a stroke.

The Stroke Association are an organisation which offers high quality up-to-date stroke information for patients, their families and carers.

Every year there are approximately 152,000 strokes in the UK. That is one stroke every three and a half minutes. Most people affected are over 65 but anyone can have a stroke including children and even babies.

Feelings of isolation and depression can be common for people who are recovering from a stroke. Sometimes this is the result of mobility issues that make it difficult for survivors to get out. It may be the frustration that comes with the inability to communicate clearly. For some survivors, symptoms are a source of embarrassment. Whatever its cause, the cure for isolation is other people.

Merseyside Life After Stroke Group, meet every Tuesday 10-12pm at Hope Community Church, Old Roan, Aintree Lane, Liverpool L10 2JJ.

This is a very popular group with more than 40 members from Sefton, attending each week. Patients are offered peer support, exercise and social activities.

South Sefton Life After Stroke Group, meet every Wednesday 1.30-3.30pm at Orrell Lodge, Bootle, Rafter Avenue, L20 6PRE. Peer support is offered along with social activities.

For more information please contact, Dawn Farrell or Jeanette Swift on 0151 305 0011/12.