Life after a stroke – Friends enjoy a canal boat trip

The Stroke Association’s ‘Positive Wednesday Group’, from the Life After Stroke Centre in Bromsgrove, recently enjoyed a day out travelling along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal aboard Anglo Welsh’s day boat ‘Emma’.

The trips, which are jointly hosted by Anglo Welsh’s Tardebigge team and Lions Club Bromsgrove, lasted for two hours each, with members travelling to Alvechurch and back.

Both groups of stroke survivors, their families and volunteers from the Life After Stroke Centre also enjoyed a picnic lunch at Tardebigge Wharf, courtesy of the Bromsgrove Lions Club and Morrisons Supermarket, at Great Park, Rubery.

Johanne Hughes, of the Life After Stroke Centre in Bromsgrove, explains: “Our Positive Wednesday Group were absolutely delighted to go on another canal boat trip this year, and thank Anglo Welsh and the Bromsgrove Lions for all their support.

“It’s such a lovely trip, cruising gently through the Worcestershire countryside and a wonderful opportunity for our fantastic volunteers, stroke survivors and families to relax and take time out.

“A stroke can have a huge impact on someone’s life, and our Positive Wednesday group really demonstrates the power of stroke survivors and their families supporting and inspiring one another, and we are so pleased they can share this great experience.”

Keith Godwin of the Bromsgrove Lions, adds: “Thanks to Anglo Welsh, this is the fourth year in a row we’ve been able to offer volunteers and stroke survivors from the Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Centre a canal boat trip. It’s a fantastic opportunity to step away from the stresses of everyday life and relax, watching the world go by on the peaceful Worcester & Birmingham Canal, spotting kingfishers along the way!”

Tom Willson, manager of the Anglo Welsh Tardebigge base, adds: “Canals are great places to escape to – the slow pace of travel on a canal boat and the wildlife to watch out for along the way, really helps people to relax. We were delighted to offer our day boat ‘Emma’ to the Bromsgrove Lions so that they could take the Stroke Association’s Positive Wednesday Group out for a special day out together on the canal.”

‘Emma’ is available to hire for the day and can take up to 10 passengers. She is equipped with cutlery, crockery, a kettle, toilet, cooker and fridge, so hirers can prepare for a picnic afloat or stop-off at a waterside pub along the way. Day hire prices are £99 Monday to Friday, £140 for weekend days and bank holidays.

‘Emma’ can also be hired overnight, with accommodation for two adults, for £198, plus a fuel deposit during the week, £280 plus fuel deposit at weekends and bank holidays.

To book a canal holiday from any of Anglo Welsh’s 11 bases at prime waterway locations, please call our friendly booking team on 0117 304 1122.