A PARTNERSHIP between a Bromsgrove and Redditch college and a national charity with Bromsgrove-based headquarters has been set up.

NEW College and the Stroke Association are hoping the partnership will prove to be a long and successful one.

To launch the new partnership sports science students from New College recently visited the association's Life After Stroke Centre, in Church Lane, Bromsgrove.

The centre, the first of its kind in the UK, launched the initial phase of its training programme last year that offers a range of activities and makes its key facilities, such as its resource centre and IT Suite, open to the local community.

A variety of recreational activities have been planned including flower arranging, cake modelling, certified IT courses, counselling sessions and nutritional advice.

The college have joined in partnership to help with the deliverance of training and development sessions.

During the recent visit the students toured the facilities and took part in a session with Pete Rumbold, a stroke survivor who now leads the exercise programme at the centre.

Pete Rumbold spoke to the students about his stroke, life before it and the challenges he has faced during recovery.

He has been training to become a sports instructor over the past two years, and completed his level two training at the college.

Mr Rumbold said: "The younger people in fitness need to be aware of the implications of stroke on people’s lives.

"By bringing young people into the centre we’re bringing in new ideas and raising awareness for them."

Francesca Gibbs, NEW College's co-ordinator of programmes for the unemployed, said: "I foresee the relationship between the Life After Stroke Centre and NEW College going from strength to strength with other departments within college becoming involved soon."