PATIENTS recovering from strokes and brain injuries will benefit from a £4,000 grant made to a Malvern-based charity by Gannett, the parent company of the Evening News.

ARCOS is going to use the money to install two computer work stations at its Church Street centre, with programmes designed to help patients get back to work.

The charity provides speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, not only for recovering patients but also for children and adults with debilitating conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease.

"At present, 190 children under the age of 18 are being helped directly by ARCOS training and many more are benefiting from the cascade effect of care staff receiving training," said fund-raising manager Maurene Wilson.

Therapy

"Besides offering therapy, we provide information and advice, supporting families and carers."

After a stroke or an acquired brain injury, patients can be left with problems outside the scope of their normal hospital treatment, such as difficulties in communication.

The charity can provide speech therapy and, where the patient has no speech, computers can be invaluable in enabling them to communicate.

The two new work stations to be bought with the Gannett grant will be used as part of a Back to Work rehabilitation programme, with specially developed IT software supporting the work of therapists in helping patients restore their skills.