Nottinghamshire County Councillors help fund annual rent for Newark Stroke and Aphasia Group, based at St Giles Community Hall in Balderton.

A community group helping those that have suffered a stroke has been given a helping hand to keep up its good work.

The Newark Stroke and Aphasia Group, based at St Giles Community Hall in Balderton, allows people who have had a stroke to meet and socialise with others who have had a similar experience.

The hiring of the hall doesn’t come cheap, but now the group have received a donation for over £300 from Nottinghamshire County Councillors Johno Lee and Sam Smith for a year’s worth of rent.

Group treasurer, David Green, first became involved after my wife suffered a stroke.

He said: “In the beginning there were only a few of us and we’d meet up at Hardy’s Farm Shop, but we’ve seen it grow so much and now we have about 35 regular members so we need a bigger space.

“People that have had a stroke often have difficulty with their balance and accessibility can be hard, so a place like this which is flat and on the ground level is perfect.

“So the money from councillors is massive for us. It means we can carry on here.

“The money saved from paying rent can now go towards other things like trips out and paying for lunches like fish and chips for everyone.”

Group chairman, Keith Hopkinson, added: “We don’t make a profit here, every pound we get is reinvested back into the group.

“We have a different session each month and it gives our users something to look forward to.

“Having a stroke can be a life changing experience and it can be difficult to recover from that.

“Here they can come along and meet like minded people with similar experiences to themselves and rebuild confidence.”

The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month with a varied schedule, everything from seated chair exercises to improve strength and mobility, to craft sessions, entertainment and guest speakers.

This year the group have two trips planned, with a visit to the Belton Garden Centre in May and a trip on the Newark Crusader, a boat run by volunteers offering river tours to community groups and charities.

Johno Lee, said: “As councillors we are given a certain amount of money we can use to support charitable causes each year, but we don’t always know about all the different groups out there.

“So when we saw an article in the Newark Advertiser talking about the group, we really wanted to get involved.

“I have my own connection to this subject as my grandma suffered a stroke and recently another of my relatives had one too, so it’s close to my heart.

“It’s been lovely hearing everybody’s stories and how they have been helped

“They do amazing work and I’m proud to support them because a little bit of funding really does make all the difference for groups like this.”

Sam Smith stayed to take part in the seated exercise session alongside group members.

He said: “Seeing the work they do in the community shows how absolutely invaluable group like this are.

“When someone has a stroke there’s is not always much support out there, but here it’s been set up by volunteers and everyone can come together — it’s a proper community effort.

“It’s heartwarming to see and anything we can do to sign post these groups, the better.”