Weston-super-Mare resident credits stroke recovery to pottery classes

A group of stroke survivors from Weston-super-Mareare taking part in a fortnightly pottery workshop, organised by the Stroke Association.

The Creative Strokes pottery workshops take place every other Friday at Carontoc Art Pottery Studio. The group is organised by the Stroke Association and run by local artist and sculptor, Penny Price.

One stroke survivor who has benefited from the group is Janet Willis, 70, from Weston-super-Mare. Janet had a stroke in 2002 and spent over four months in hospital recovering. Janet’s stroke left her with weakness down the right side of her body.

Janet said: “Having a stroke is a huge blow. You feel like it’s taken so much from you. Groups like Creative Strokes have helped not only with my confidence, but my recovery.

“It’s a very friendly group. When I’m the studio time flies by because I get so lost in my pottery! You can really let your imagination run wild and there are no restrictions to what you can make.

“Our tutor Penny and her volunteers have been so helpful and understanding. I’ve never done anything like this before, but I can quite honestly say it’s helped in my recovery so much.”

Verity Aldous, Stroke Association Support Coordinator, said: “Pottery is a brilliant form of art therapy which can improve our physical and emotional wellbeing.

“Not only does the group bring out everyone’s creative side, it’s a great way to get together to try something new and have fun. We see the overwhelming courage and determination many stroke survivors, such as Janet, show in coping with the loss of different skills that we take for granted.

“We owe a lot of thanks to the group’s tutor, Penny. Penny has been a huge support for stroke survivors who attend the workshops, and has even adapted a pottery wheel that can be used by stroke survivors who have a one sided weakness.

“We’d love for more stroke survivors in Weston-super-Mare to take part in our workshops. It’s a great place to meet other stroke survivors, whilst learning a new skill.”

To find out more about Creative Strokes, please contact Verity Aldous on 01275 870328 or email verity.aldous@stroke.org.uk.