Meet Stephen
Stephen moved from Plymouth to Exmouth and saw a call in the local paper for someone to run the stroke survivors' club. He applied and got the role.
A Christian, Stephen supports people from all backgrounds, saying, "I've been there myself." He later mentions having had several strokes and TIAs.
The group first met at Exmouth Pavilion, then a council building, and now All Saints' Church, which also runs a Warm Welcome Space. "We felt people wanted it longer, so now they can return in the evening for entertainment like Elvis nights," he says.
Food donations from Tesco and M&S provide meals for club meetings and support the community. On Mondays and Wednesdays, they serve dinner and deliver food parcels for a small fee, waived for those in need. Members also check on others and offer advice, especially on energy costs.
Funding has been a challenge, but the club charges a yearly subscription and raises money through events like quizzes and gardening. Sport England even donated a table tennis table. They also teach cookery skills to stroke survivors and those on low incomes.
"I want people to feel looked after," says Stephen. The club has grown from six members to 75, offering warmth, food, friendship, and support. About 20 attend weekly, while others receive visits and shopping help. "We don’t judge—everyone is on the same journey to recovery."
Table Tennis
Exmouth Stroke Survivors Club To introduce some physical activity to the group Steve sourced a table tennis table from Table Tennis England’s Ping in the Community scheme in summer 2024. Table tennis is available on a free play basis, with many members taking the opportunity to pick up a bat and have a game. Steve is looking at options to create a social league with other disability and health condition groups in the local area, as well as exploring ways to connect with the wider Exmouth community.
Themes: health conditions, physical wellbeing As a result of introducing table tennis as an activity more members are seeing the benefits table tennis provides, including improvements to physical and mental wellbeing, management of symptoms, socialising with others and table tennis acting as a vehicle to allow people to open up to others in conversation. Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Milton Keynes, MK8 9LA T 01908 208860 E email us here tabletennisengland.co.uk After moving to Exmouth Steve took over the running of Exmouth Stroke Survivors Club in 2021, due to the existing lead no longer being able to do so for medical reasons.
The club supports people effected from strokes, including providing support groups, rehabilitation services and educational workshops. As a stroke survivor himself, Steve wanted to support others and give back to his community. After a slow rebuilding post COVID, the club meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am – 3pm with over 75 members.
kitchentable tennis for all
As a result of introducing table tennis as an activity more members are seeing the benefits table tennis provides, including improvements to physical and mental wellbeing, management of symptoms, socialising with others and table tennis acting as a vehicle to allow people to open up to others in conversation
