A support group set up to help people who have had strokes has officially opened its Sandbach branch.

Sandbach mayor, Councillor Laura Crane, opened the new branch which will meet every Wednesday from 11 am until 1 pm at Sandbach Rugby Club in Bradwall Road.

Founder, Liz Bedson, set up the first Stroke Survivors Speech and Language group in Crewe in 2018 after her own father had a stroke.

This was followed by a second group in Alsager in May last year as our sister site, Alsager Nub News, told here . 

Now a third branch has been opened in Sandbach and Liz says more are in the pipeline in towns such as Nantwich and hopefully Middlewich.

"I always wanted to see it grow and it's wonderful to see. It's good to see we're making a difference to people's lives. We will go wherever we feel there's a need."

The Sandbach group will be co-ordinated by Arthur Harding, himself a stroke survivor.

"We had a brilliant turnout at the opening today, more than we expected," said Arthur. "We'll be here every Wednesday and will be organising a range of events and activities."

The Sandbach branch of Stroke Survivors Speech and Language group received a small grant from Sandbach Town Council, as well as help from a number of organisations including Right at Home South Cheshire, Morrisons and Waitrose.

"We're delighted with the response from local firms and businesses and the number of people who have shown an interest in the Sandbach branch," said Arthur.

The group will run in parallel with its other two groups – Crewe and Alsager, the latter which meets on Thursdays and the former on Tuesdays.

Arthur added: "We will also be at Ashfields Medical Centre once a month on Thursdays - pop up session where you can talk to us and learn what we do. The dates for these will be on our website once we have launched our Sandbach branch."

For contacts, call Liz Bedson, founder on 01270 335061 or Arthur Harding, Sandbach co-ordinator, on 07395 806019.