A vital support club is celebrating a milestone birthday.

The Dorchester Social Stroke Club recently marked its 10th birthday at their regular meeting place in the Magna Housing residents hall on Lubbecke Way.

From small beginnings in September 2007, the club has prospered, slowly growing in numbers and reaching out to an ever-widening area.

It has seen its membership increase from a small handful of people, to meetings that regularly see more than 25 stroke survivors with their families and carers gathering together on a Thursday morning.

The initiative was started by Jackie Sherfield, with her vast knowledge and understanding of stroke and its devastating effects, and her second-in-command at the time, Anita Harries.

Speaking at the 10th birthday celebrations, Jackie said: “Our primary role is to give support to stroke survivors and their families. We have chosen to do this in a social environment, but there is a very serious side to our purpose.

"We spend a great deal of time talking to those affected by stroke in any way. We offer advice based on experience and acquired knowledge.

"We try to keep ourselves up to date with the latest stroke initiatives and news, and our members also play their part in this. There’s no advice like that of someone who’s been there, done that. And that really is what our club is about, and why we love it.”

The club relies on grants, the generosity of businesses and its own fundraising efforts.

The club have a loyal and hard-working committee, with captain Anne Richards at the helm, and they spend many hours ensuring their members have the very best they can provide.

Thursday morning meetings offer everything from games sessions, musical entertainment, and art sessions to coffee outings, trips to garden centres and other places of interest, speakers, and healthcare advice from professionals involved with stroke care and support. Transport is provided for those who have problems getting to the club, to ensure that nobody misses out on the opportunity to go along and join in.

Many of the committee members go above and beyond the call of duty, making themselves available out of club hours to help if and when needed. Sometimes all that is needed is gentle encouragement, a few words of support, or a helping hand.

If you, or anyone you know, may be interested in joining the club or finding out all that is on offer, contact Anne Richards on 01305 848626 or Jackie Sherfield on 01305 257464 for more details.