‘Leisure centre staff transformed mum’s life after stroke’
Teesside grandma JoJo Wynne was left disabled by a devastating stroke three years ago, but she has regained her confidence and some mobility thanks to regular sessions in the pool.
Fridays have become JoJo’s favourite day because that’s when she goes to IB Leisure centre, run by Tees Active, at Ingleby Barwick.
Her daughter, Felicity Brown, said: “Mum’s life has been transformed since she started going to the pool as part of her rehabilitation. The facilities are so accessible, and the staff have been phenomenal in encouraging her. She’s made huge progress.”
JoJo in the pool at Ingleby Barwick (Image: Tees Active) JoJo’s story is so inspirational that she’s now starring in a film, produced by Tees Active, as part of a YouTube documentary series promoting the health benefits of physical activity.
JoJo, 68, who lives in Hartburn, had her stroke in August, 2022, after she and husband, Graham, drove to Leeds Bradford Airport, in the early hours to pick up Felicity and her family from their holidays.
Felicity, who works as Deputy Head of Operations and Service Delivery for Hartlepool and Stockton Health, noticed that her mum’s speech wasn’t right. She also couldn’t smile properly and was unable to lift both her arms.
Felicity’s husband, Simon, called an ambulance and JoJo was taken to Leeds General Hospital, where a stroke was diagnosed.
Despite further treatment at North Tees General Hospital, she was unable to walk and lost movement in the left side of her body, as well as her left arm. Her husband, Graham, had to retire from his job as an NHS manager to become her carer.
At the time, Felicity had recently become a Tees Active customer, attending aqua classes at IB Leisure, and she saw that the pool was wheelchair-accessible, with a hoist to lift disabled people in and out of the water.
JoJo, who had just retired from a long career with Marks & Spencer when she had the stroke, had always led an active life, including outdoor swimming, and she was excited when Felicity and Graham suggested she started aqua classes.
Her first class was in February 2024, and she’s been going every Friday morning since. As well as Felicity, she’s also supported in the pool by her sister-in-law Joan, who used to be a swimming teacher.
JoJo recently reached a milestone by swimming 100 metres, and her family wanted her to take part in the Tees Active film so they could “share the joy”.
“We’re so grateful to Tees Active for giving her back some independence and rebuilding her confidence. They’ve gone above and beyond – they make her feel like she’s not invisible.
“Out of the water, she’s still heavily reliant on someone but, in the pool, she can walk unaided, and loves bouncing in the water.
“It’s also boosted her mental health because she doesn’t have to rely on someone else to support her. She’s like her old self again.
“We hope other people hear about mum’s story and are inspired to find out how they can get involved in healthy activities like swimming.”
Leon Jones, managing director of Tees Active, which runs leisure facilities and services on behalf of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “We were thrilled to hear about the positive impact the aqua sessions have had on JoJo’s life.
“Our aim in producing the documentary series is to highlight how accessible our facilities are and promote the health benefits of physical activity – not just in supporting rehabilitation but in helping prevent people from developing conditions that add to the pressure on the NHS.”
Through a GP referral scheme, Tees Active supports treatment for a range of conditions, including cardiac rehabilitation, diabetes, and post-operative recovery.
And, although her speech is still affected, JoJo wants to help get the message out that support is available.
“I cried when I first went into the pool because it gave me the freedom I didn’t have,” she said. “If anyone has a stroke, I want them to realise there are these fantastic facilities.”