My name is Lisa Pearson, I am a Stroke Survivor who is passionate about supporting, Inspiring and empowering other Stroke Survivors. After my second ischemic stroke, I had discovered a DS Stroke Support group in Whitstable which I attended for numerous years.
Different strokes charity has given me the motivation to become a volunteer/stroke coordinator and manage my own DS Support group in Ashford, Kent. I opened the group in January 2025; I now have at least 15 members that attend each month. The age range is from 16 to 60.
By coming together as a community, we can make a lasting impact on each other’s lives.
Due to the health conditions, I had to take medical retirement in the NHS and give up my nursing career, at the time I was devastated and thought my life was worthless. How wrong was I. Different Strokes has been invaluable to me. I feel heard and the support is incredible. You are never made to feel alone. I am a stroke survivor, and I am still kicking its ass.
Different Strokes was set up in 1996 in direct response to a need from younger stroke survivors to be able to reclaim their lives, challenging previously existing views of stroke recovery and changing the term for stroke sufferers from ‘victim’ to ‘survivor’. We have personal experience of life after stroke. Most of our staff, volunteers and trustees are stroke survivors, family members, or have a close personal connection to stroke. We recognise that younger stroke survivors and family members are the experts in stroke recovery and rehabilitation. We consult with them regularly to make sure that our services are relevant and personalised. The charity has a network of exercise and stroke support groups providing help for stroke survivors across the UK. Each group is run by a volunteer-coordinator. Many of our coordinators are stroke survivors themselves.
We meet on the last Friday of each month at Kennington WI Hall, 228 Faversham Road, Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN24 9AN, from 2pm to 4pm. The first hour of the session is activity based, offering Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Sound baths, Zumba, art workshops and other activity/holistic offerings. We use local Practitioners in and around Kent to come and teach. The last hour is for refreshments and cake, and to chat in a safe space.
We are constantly looking at fundraising ideas to bring money in and pay for our community group. Last year we participated in a Fire Walk, for 2026, we are looking at organising a Quiz and other fundraising. DS Ashford are always looking for companies to kindly sponsor our group and offer one off donations. More information about our group and survivor stories are on the link:
https://differentstrokes.co.uk/groups/stroke-support-group-ashford-kent/
