Stroke survivors tee off during Make May Purple

The Stroke Association has teamed up with England Golf to provide golf coaching courses for stroke survivors in the Crewe area.

The first of two Get into Golf five-week courses is running during the Stroke Association’s national awareness month: Make May Purple. 

At the weekly sessions, held at Malkins Bank Golf Course in Sandbach, nine stroke survivors have access to an hour’s coaching session on the driving range. A second Get into golf course for local stroke survivors will run in June due to the popularity of the first sessions.

Hilary Belshaw, Information, Advice and Support Coordinator at the Stroke Association, said: “More people than ever before are surviving a stroke. But many stroke survivors tell us that after all the effort to save their lives they then feel isolated when they return home. 

“The golf course provides an opportunity for stroke survivors to meet others who are also experiencing a life after stroke, benefit from exercise, build their confidence and enjoy learning new skills. We’re thrilled the first course has been so popular and would encourage stroke survivors across South Cheshire to get in touch should they like to get involved.”

The Get into golf programme has been specifically tailored to stroke survivors and participants are asked to contribute £10 to the five-week course. Each week there is an hour’s coaching and all equipment is provided.  

Sean Hammill, county officer for the Cheshire Golf Development Group, which has been working with the Stroke Association to deliver the golf coaching session, says: “Golf offers a great rehabilitation pathway to stroke survivors as it gives them the chance to build up their physical activity gradually, develop new skills and increase their overall confidence in a social environment which will encourage those taking part to return and continue.  

“Malkins Banks offers all the right facilities for newcomers to the sport and the club was keen to support this initiative. The sessions have been delivered by PGA professional Alex Heller, from the Ian Woosnam Academy. The response has been fantastic and we look forward to seeing those taking part continuing to make progress in their recovery and enjoying the long-term health benefits golf can bring.”

The Stroke Association is calling on everyone to sign up to Make May Purple in 2016. During the month of May, the charity is raising awareness of the impact of stroke, and sharing information and advice on how to help prevent the condition across the country. 

For further information about the Get into golf programme for stroke survivors please contact Hilary Belshaw, Information, Advice and Support Coordinator at the Stroke Association in South Cheshire on 01270 589 168 or email hilary.belshaw@stroke.org.uk