Barry Woodger needed support to get around his home after suffering a stroke in March.
A referral came to our Whia service (Warrington Home Improvement Agency) from the NHS and we stepped in to help.
Now his home has been fitted with aids including a stair rail, a shower rail and rails on internal doors.
Here Barry, aged 76, a retired auditor, who has two children, three grandchildren and one great grandson, tells us how he was delighted with our service.
“I went to bed as normal on the night that I had a stroke but woke up at 3am feeling unwell. I was taken by ambulance to Warrington Hospital and had to stay in for five days.
“The stroke resulted in the right side of my body being affected, including my balance, walking and speech, and I can get very tired.
“After a home assessment it was decided I would need help to walk up the stairs, a bathroom rail, and rails on the doors.
“The handyman that came from Whia was really friendly and accommodating, he explained everything that he was doing – it was a great job and I am very grateful for being able to get around my home better, it has made life easier.”
As a result of using the Warrington Housing Association service – Barry also got to learn about other services that we run and has now attended Stroke Association group sessions at our LifeTime centre.
His wife, Lynn, aged 58, added: “Barry has really enjoyed group sessions – it is not something I thought he would get into but he has joined in with quizzes and arts and crafts, and has met people in a similar situation to him, which has helped. He even made me a bracelet!
“Warrington Housing Association’s Whia service is great, as it helps people stay in their own home, and this is really complimented by the fact that you are then introduced to their other services like the LifeTime centre – which shows they really care for the community they work in.”
For more information on WHA’s Whia service click here and for more information on LifeTime services – including the Stroke Association’s Tuesday afternoon sessions click here.
