In the late 1960's there were few places to turn for help once a stroke survivor was released from the hospital. Stroke recovery programs began as people saw a need for post-hospital care and recovery. In 1974 the first stroke recovery program in BC was started by a group of stroke survivors who attended a day centre in North Vancouver. They met twice a month with the aim to help other stroke survivors adjust to their situation using a peer support format.
The evolution, of the now named North Shore Stroke Recovery Centre, began in a single room of the adult day centre, then in 1980 the one day per week program moved to the basement of the Salvation Army Hall. In 1993 the growth in membership expanded the program to include a second day. By 1995 The North Shore Stroke Recovery Club changes its name to the North Shore Stroke Recovery Centre and the program is delivered over three days, adding to the program the professional services of a Speech Language Pathologist and Exercise Therapists. In 1998 Music Therapy is added to the program and by 2001 the Centre offered four days of services in two locations, one day in West Vancouver and three in North Vancouver.
The combined voices of the six original members of the stroke recovery club, responded initially to an article published in a local paper describing the efforts of a similar group of stroke survivors in the United States. The passion, vision and perseverance of the original group have endured over the past 35 years and remain the guiding light of the organization.