Take Heart In The Community
Providing a network of members who use their own experiences to support and understand you.
For over a quarter of a century, Take Heart has been providing community support from members who can be contacted by anyone needing help to come to terms with life following heart health scares such as high/low blood pressure, angiogram/angioplasty procedures and events such as heart attack and bypass surgery.
There are many fears and worries experienced by people with heart problems, by sharing these anxieties with others these feelings can be eased, allowing for a smoother pathway to recovery.
What Take Heart Does ...
Social Events
The social events calendar is always full with all types of social events from meals out, theatre trips and even mini breaks. We regularly get together putting on everything from quiz nights to our popular annual auction of unwanted Christmas gifts. Our main aim is fundraising but is very important to us to have a great time as well.
Fundraising
We are proud to have raised in excess of £300,000 since we started. These proceeds have been used to purchase vital equipment for the local coronary care unit at Southend General Hospital along with Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC) at Basildon as well as supporting our community and continuing to keep Take Heart actively supporting the public and its members.
Monthly Meetings
Membership is free and you can attend our monthly meetings if you wish. We generally have a guest speaker sharing interesting and entertaining topics all available with refreshments, raffle, general announcements of fund raising news and upcoming social events. We endeavour to have at least one clinical nurse specialist from the cardiac rehabilitation team in attendance at all meetings for people to discuss issues or concerns they may have.
Support
Take Heart helps you recover from cardiac problems by mixing with people who have been there. We have all been through cardiac events, tests, medications and procedures all associated with problems ranging from blood pressure to heart bypass surgery. If you are facing surgery, recovering from a heart event or want to know more about what to expect when you are having to undergo procedures, get in touch for a reassuring understanding ear who has once shared your worry and anxiety.
Learn more about the Take Heart ...
Meet The Team
Paul Halley
Chairman
Paul is a local businessman who has always been involved in various charities and fundraising groups. Suffering a heart attack in 1997 which was followed by bypass surgery soon after, Paul decided to concentrate his efforts by joining Take Heart in 1998 and help fellow sufferers by showing that there is life after a cardiac event. Paul quickly became secretary which led to him being appointed Chairman in 2011. Married to Sue for 52 years, he is a family man with three daughters, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is a keen golfer whose outlook on life is to have fun which is reflected in the work he does for Take Heart.
Colin Stanley
Treasurer
Gill Stanley
Membership Secretary
