A group of stroke survivors meets every week in a church hall just outside Cwmbran.
During a recent session in the hall next to St Mary’s Church in New Inn, one of them told me why it’s a vital part of her weekly routine: “It’s important for us, as we’ve all been through it so we don’t have to explain anything because you know what they’re going through as you’ve gone through it yourself. And that makes a difference.”
I published this story on Facebook on 25 October 2025 after interviewing volunteer Jeanette Harris. The Cwmbran resident told me how she travels by two buses each week to help out.
Like many self-funded clubs and associations, their numbers fell due to the pandemic. One sad aspect of that is they haven’t been able to afford any coach trips since 2019, as hiring a coach is now “too expensive”.
Each year, they would enjoy visiting Weston-Super-Mare, Trago Mills in Merthyr Tydfil, and Gloucester Quays.
“Lovely group”
Cheryl Harvey, the chair, said: “It’s a group that was started many years ago for people recovering from strokes to meet other people, share their experiences. It’s a lovely group.”
Members chose to make it more of a social meet-up than anything else; a chance to play games, chat, and enjoy a hot drink and biscuit.
Rhia Mills, the club’s treasurer, said: “They like to talk about their family life. So it’s friendly. They’re really concerned about every single person. So like me, with my hand [Rhia recently broke her wrist]. We look out for each other.”
Cheryl said: “A lot of people just feel so isolated, you know, if they’ve led a busy life. I became involved in 1992 when my dad had a massive stroke, and for 18 years he came to this group. He wouldn’t have gone anywhere else. He didn’t have any use of his right side whatsoever.
“He had to learn to walk again, talk again, and just coming in here, talking to others, his confidence just increased.
“It just goes from everything to nothing when they’ve had a stroke. It used to be great when my dad came to the group because it gave my mum a free morning.
“She was constantly 24/7 caring for him. It brings normality to their life.”
I asked what the volunteers get out of helping to run the group.
“Happy family”
She said: “Helping people and seeing them improve. We are one big happy family.
“It’s lovely, over the weeks, you see a difference in people. They might be able to do something this week that they couldn’t do last week. And with their speech, they get a bit more confidence; it’s lovely.
I asked a few of the members what they love about the club:
“I’ve been coming here for 18 years. They’re marvellous. We still enjoy the company. It’s lovely.”
“The volunteers are amazing.”
“We were all nervous, not knowing what to expect, but it’s like a little family really. Don’t be nervous about coming; everyone welcomes you.”
New Inn Stroke Support Group
The New Inn group meets from 10.30am to 12pm every Tuesday. The address is St Mary’s Church, The Highway, New Inn, NP4 0PH. Contact Cheryl on 07722 160701 for more information.
Cwmbran Stroke Support Group
The Cwmbran Stroke Support Group meets on Thursday from 10.30am to 12.30pm in the White Hut in Coed Eva. The address is Coed Eva and Hollybush Hall, Cwmbran, NP44 7AG.