Over the past ten years there has been a 23% increase here in the number of people registered with their GP as having had a stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)¹, often referred to as a mini stroke. This increase is hugely worrying and through our new awareness campaign we are working to raise awareness of stroke symptoms and remind the public to act FAST if they spot any symptom of stroke.

We are delighted to be launching our new primary school programme, Chester’s Active Breaks, which is a fun and engaging 7-week course, designed to get children moving more throughout their school day. 

Every Wednesday morning Eleanor Smyth, 69, from Ballymena, gives up her time to help others, volunteering at health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s (NICHS) local Post Rehab Exercise Programme (PREP) group. Eleanor knows all too well how much the charity can help people post stroke, as she completed three cycles of the programme after having a life-changing stroke 18 months ago.

Thomasina King, from Belfast, had an unexpected, lifechanging stroke less than a year ago at just 47 years old.