Frequently asked questions

The Cambridge Stroke Group is a support group for all stroke survivors in Cambridgeshire.

The group, a small charity run entirely by volunteers, was created with the joining together of Different Strokes, Cambridge and The Stroke Association to help provide a comprehensive support group for those who have had a stroke or similar injury. The Cambridge Stroke Group provides support and a lifeline to its members, helping to transform their lives and speed up recovery after a stroke by gaining independence, establishing new friendships and experiencing new activities.

Working closely with the Stroke Association, some of our Stroke Group members regularly visit stroke victims in hospital wards in the region. By sharing their own stories of recovery, our members are able to inspire and encourage stroke victims to get better. In addition, they can share practical advice to help enhance the day to day life of a stroke survivor – educating them on the impact of mobility schemes through the use of scooters & cars, providing information on benefits that they may be entitled to as well as access to support groups and healing sessions.

The aim of the group is to provide a meeting place in a friendly and caring environment for people who have had a stroke, and their families, carers and friends. It is a place away from the hospital that offers emotional and social support to stroke survivors and a chance to meet others who have also experienced the potentially devastating effects of having had a stroke.

Our drop-in meetings are calm, friendly and informal and everyone is welcome to pop in for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. For many, the Cambridge Stroke Group acts as a haven where members can share a sense of camaraderie as well as take part in organised activities.

We offer complementary relaxation therapies including Tai Chi and other gentle exercise sessions. 

We also organise for interesting speakers to visit the centre to give regular talks on a variety of topics (stroke related as well as general interest) and provide information from experts in Stroke as well as access to the internet.

We organise local trips and days out to places of interest chosen by our members. These have included visits to the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens, The National Stud in Newmarket, Bletchley Park, the Natural History Museum in Tring, Cambridge Arts Picturehouse, the Shepreth Wildlife Park and trips on the river in the beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside.

The Cambridge Stroke Group meets every Thursday afternoon between 12pm –3pm.

The Cambridge Stroke Group meets at The Shelford Rugby Club, which is situated on Cambridge Road between Trumpington and Great Shelford. 

The address is The Davey Field, Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, CB22 5JU.

Map:

GET DIRECTIONS HERE

As a self-funding charity, we rely on donations from the public and subscriptions from our members. The cost for attending a meeting is currently £3 for members. Carers, partners and family members and those stroke survivors attending their first meeting are not required to pay.

We try and assist as many newcomers as possible. We offer a free taxi for those who have difficulty in finding transport for the first two sessions.

Our members are generous and we encourage people to share lifts where possible and appropriate.

If you are able to offer a lift please email: info@cambridgestrokegroup.co.uk

There are a number of buses that stop on Cambridge Road near to the centre. (NB the bus stop is a 5-10 minute walk to the Centre.

Alternatively there are a number of Local Volunteer Car Schemes to try:

• Royston & District Community Transport: 01763 245228 Email:info@roytrans.co.uk– for medical and social purposes to villages in South Cambridgeshire around Royston. Also offers wheelchair accessible transport
• Cottenham Care Car Scheme: 01954 251929 Provides short-distance journeys for residents of Cottenham for social and medical purposes. Will also cover Oakington, Rampton and Histon if necessary
• Foxton Social Car Scheme: 01223 572147 / 574327 Mainly offers short-distance journeys to those in the Foxton area for social & medical purposes, can offer transport into Cambridge if unable to make journey by any other means
• Harston Car Scheme: 01223 870647 Short-distance journeys for residents of Harston for social and medical purposes
• Histon & Impington Car Scheme: 07982 108927 Short-distance journeys for residents of Histon & Impington and surrounding area, for social and medical purposes
• OWLS Community Car Scheme: 07505 254363 For residents of Over, Willingham, Longstanton and Swavesey. Offers transport for social and medical purposes
• Shelford Support Group: 01223 843856 For residents of Great & Little Shelford and Stapleford for social and medical purposes, including trips to Addenbrooke’s Hospital
• Trumpington FISH Scheme: 01223 515394For Trumpington residents for short-distance journeys for social and medical purposes
• Beaches Community Car Scheme: 07807 875878 For residents of Waterbeach, Landbeach, Horningsea, Milton and Chittering. or social and medical purposes or any essential journey that could not be made by any other means
• For more transport schemes visit www.gov.uk/info/20123/community_transport

If you would like to come along and join the Cambridge Stroke Group (either as a member, carer or a volunteer), please do pop in and speak to any of the team, we are always happy to see you.

If you have any ideas to help support the Group, are inspired to organise an event and/or your friends and family would like to be involved as a volunteer, we would love to hear from you. The Cambridge Stroke Group is a great way to make new friends and be part of a rewarding and fun group of people with a common aim.