A range of Recovery Programs, both clinical and recreational, are available for members to access at any time during their stroke journey. Below is the list of current on-going programs. The Boroondara Community Stroke Hub also offers short-term programs, including technology sessions, education sessions and physical therapy, that may not be listed below. To always stay up-to-date, sign up to become a member today. New programs are developed as the need arises, so let us know if there is a new idea you are interested in that we do not currently offer. For a monthly program schedule, contact us to speak to the Hub Coordinator.
Lawn Bowls
The BSSG has a very successful Lawn Bowls program which operates at 41 Glen Street, Hawthorn. We have access to a synthetic green each Monday morning, and assistance from lovely volunteers. This is followed by morning tea where we can all enjoy a cuppa and a chocy biscuit, or two, or three.
Sessions
Mondays from 10:00am to 11:00am followed by morning tea until 11.45am.
Location
41 Glen Street, Hawthorn.
Program Coordinator
Brian O’Meara – phone: 9818 2511
General Members’ Meeting
Come along to meet other people in your stroke community. Make friends, share stories and support each other. At this meeting, you’ll be able to voice your ideas and opinions on group operations, stroke hub programs and all things stroke. With the support of others, your ideas will be taken to our committee and may be used to shape the future of the Hub. Special guests are sometimes invited to present to the group on topics of interest, both stroke and not-stroke related. We find speakers based on the recommendation of our members.
Sessions
1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 10.30am – 12.00pm
Location
The Boroondara Community Stroke Hub at 533 High St, Kew.
Program Coordinator
Vivienne Harkness – phone: 8529 5307
Carers’ Support Group
Only a carer understands what other carers are going through. Caring for someone comes from the heart but it can also be emotional and stressful at times. Our carers support group offers a brief period of respite and a chance to talk through some of the challenges you are facing. A cup of tea is never too far away.
Sessions
TBC
Location
The Boroondara Community Stroke Hub at 533 High St, Kew.
Program Coordinator
Vivienne Harkness – phone: 0417 054 511
Upper Limb Training (Able X System)
A clinically proven combination of therapy games with the versatile Able X and Able M controllers, providing high intensity task-based recovery for stroke-affected arms and hands. The Able X system stimulates neural plasticity: the brain’s ability to re-establish damaged neural pathways. The Able X sessions form part of our self-led recovery programs to improve gross motor skills, upper limb skills, endurance, balance, standing tolerance and cognitive skills such as scanning, visual perceptual skills, memory, planning, problem solving, comprehension and attention.
The program is also on offer at Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Hand Hub. We welcome those who have completed the program at the Hand Hub and would like on-going therapy.
To read more about the Able X system, click here.
Sessions
Sessions are currently available on Tuesdays. Bookings are essential as sessions are one-on-one.
Location
The Boroondara Community Stroke Hub at 533 High St, Kew.
Program Coordinator
Anita Paxton – phone: 8529 5307
Sing for Recovery
The Sing for Recovery Choir has been formed to deliver the pleasures of music to people in hospital – particularly those who are recovering from strokes and other brain injuries. These include St Vincent’s Fitzroy, Box Hill Hospital, St Georges Hospital, Kew, Peter James Rehabilitation Centre and at Royal Talbot Rehabilitation. The Sing for Recovery Choir holds its rehearsals at the Stroke Hub on Thursday evenings followed by a delicious supper provided by local restaurants and cafes – Via Verona, Wood Frog Bakery, Viennese Patisserie.
Sessions
Every Thursday from 6.30pm to 7.45pm with our Musical Director and Accompanist, John Keuneman
Location
The Boroondara Community Stroke Hub at 533 High St, Kew.
Program Coordinator
Vivienne Harkness – phone: 8529 5307
Chatterbox
Chatterbox was formed at the Royal Talbot for people with communication difficulties, particularly aphasia, to meet and practice their communication skills. In 2016, the group moved to its new home at the Boroondara Community Stroke Hub. The group is run by retired speech pathologist Ro Jacobs with retired nurse Jan McKenzie, and promises a good time while getting to know your peers through supported conversation.
Sessions
Every Wednesday: Group 1 runs from 11.00am – 12.30pm and Group 2 runs from 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Location
The Boroondara Community Stroke Hub at 533 High St, Kew.
Program Coordinator
Ro Jacobs – phone: 8529 5307
Blokes with Strokes
Are you a bloke who has had a stroke? The problems you face may not be so different to other blokes who have been through a similar experience to your own. Come down to meet a bunch of guys to see how they do it, and share some inspiration of your own.
Sessions
1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month 10.30am – 11.30am
Location
The Boroondara Community Stroke Hub at 533 High St, Kew.
Program Coordinator
Peter Hocking or Shane Houghton – phone: 8529 5307
Art & Craft
Work both sides of your brain in being creative with art & craft! Art therapy has been found to have positive affects in stroke rehabilitation, particularly in reducing mental effort in processing multiple aspects of the effects of stroke. Painting, knitting, craft, making gifts, Christmas cards are just some of the activities available for you to have a go at. The art group are inspired by Bill Berryman, an artist affected by stroke who subsequently then taught himself to paint with his non-dominant hand. Bill’s cards are sold to raise funds for the Stroke Hub. Taken by art enthusiasts Penny Lindeman and Catherine McCullagh.
Sessions
2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Location
The Boroondara Community Stroke Hub at 533 High St, Kew.
Program Coordinator
Tina Probert – phone: 8529 5307
Young Stroke Support Group
Working age stroke survivors (18 to 65 years old) face different challenges to older stroke survivors, therefore require supports of their own. Formed in 2017, we are a group of young stroke survivors from all over Victoria, who meet to chat, share and have a good time. Topics this group cover include going back to work, driving, restaurants and going out, sport, shopping and many more. (We are also pet friendly).
Sessions
2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month 6.30pm – 7.45pm
Location
First meeting: The Boroondara Community Stroke Hub at 533 High St, Kew.
Second meeting: Dinner out