“I’d say to all stroke survivors, give it a go”
Getting moving after an injury or health diagnosis can be tricky for many. For Wirral local Barry, who had a stroke at the age of 48, getting moving was one of his main goals.
A stroke is when blood stops flowing to a part of your brain. It can affect things like speech and movement, and take a long time to recover.
Barry said:
I had a major haemorrhagic stroke in January 2021. I could hardly move for the best part of two years.
Following his stroke, Barry was put in touch with Wirral Council’s Active Wirral team, who run a project called We Are Undefeatable.
We Are Undefeatable offers help, support and advice on becoming active to anyone living with a health condition. The programme helps people to access activities and facilities that suit their needs and abilities – to aid recovery and help manage health conditions.
Barry said:
I had a health coach at my doctors’ who put me in touch. They supported me in going to Europa Pools with We Are Undefeatable and from that day I've improved massively. I’ve been going there now for about 18 months.
Sonia Carty, who works for Active Wirral and runs We Are Undefeatable, has worked directly with Barry to support him as part of his recovery journey. Since its launch in July 2023, 2,349 monthly passes have been accessed under the We Are Undefeatable Health Membership. This is a membership option, offered by Active Wirral, specifically for those with a health condition.
Sonia said:
We Are Undefeatable helps people with all sorts of health conditions, which brought me to meet Barry.
Barry is a huge advocate for the benefits of physical activity and how that's really helped him in his recovery. He now helps us down at Europa Pools, inspiring other people who've had a stroke.
Barry is a huge advocate for the benefits of physical activity and how that's really helped him in his recovery. He now helps us down at Europa Pools, inspiring other people who've had a stroke.
They may be struggling in the beginning of their journey and Barry can show them they can make progress. He's got all the empathy because he's been there, struggling with the things they're struggling with and he really helps them to build up that confidence again.
Barry sees helping others as the next part of his journey of recovery. He even gave a speech at a recent Active Wirral event, speaking about the benefits of physical activity to enhance improvement.
Barry said:
People who have a stroke are told that for the first six months they will improve. I was in hospital for the first six months and nothing happened to me. I'm still improving week by week now, and that's what I tell people. Everybody is different.
Barry’s story is also an example of how great partnership work can impact everyday people.
Sonia said:
Barry has benefitted from an incredible, passionate partnership between many health partners. While each of us may have played a fundamental role in positively shaping Barry’s journey, it’s clear that he has also left a meaningful mark on ours. Barry’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact true collaboration can have – not just on the individual, but on the people who care for, and about, them.
Health partners including Clatterbridge Hospital, Occupational Therapists, Neuro-physiotherapists, the Healthier Neighbourhoods Primary Care Network (PCN), Health and Wellbeing Coaches, The Stroke Association, Health Development Officer and Vizbox Virtual Reality have all contributed to supporting Barry, and others, in collaboration with Active Wirral.
The Invigor8 We Are Undefeatable membership is the most cost-effective way of accessing Invigor8 facilities at just £15 per month. This membership is available to anyone with a health referral from a Wirral based Health Practitioner including GPs, Practice Nurses, Health Coaches and consultants.
This membership provides unlimited access to a range of facilities and activities at the discounted price of £15 per month, for a maximum of 3 months in any 12 month period.
For more information about the We Are Undefeatable programme and membership, visit We Are Undefeatable - Active Wirral.
For more information about Stroke Awareness Month, visit: Stroke Awareness Month | Stroke Association.
