Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s Post Rehab Exercise Programme (PREP) is a physiotherapy led, community-based course which helps rebuild people’s lives following a stroke, through exercise and education. We currently have 14 active PREP groups across Northern Ireland. They are designed for stroke survivors who have completed the statutory rehabilitation that the health service offers.
Our PREP programme lasts for 6 weeks during which it provides information on living with stroke, helps improve movement, strength, and balance by retraining both the brain and body. Early access to rehab can speed up recovery by boosting the brain’s ability to adapt and heal. It also helps prevent stiffness and other issues, making everyday tasks easier and helping people rebuild their lives.
PREP sessions enable people to meet, ask questions, and support one another in a safe environment. Through PREP we can empower stroke survivors to rebuild their lives, providing an individually tailored support programme leading to a better recovery.
The way PREP changes lives is best shared through the voices of stroke survivors, Clodagh & Lisa who have experienced it first hand. They have both had strokes in their thirties and share how much being part of PREP has meant to them.
“PREP gave me the opportunity to meet other stroke survivors. I was with people who understood my feelings because we had shared experiences as stroke survivors. With PREP I was in a community where people were able to understand me and what I was going through. I wasn’t the only one whose life was changed by stroke. I was able to talk to people opening and honestly. Stroke survivors would say “this is difficult, it is challenging, but you go on to thrive and live a full life”. That was what I needed to hear for my wellbeing.” Clodagh Dunlop
“PREP is invaluable for people who have been through what I’ve been through. When you’ve been through something like this you’ve no idea the importance of other people. It’s fun too”. Lisa Lecky.
This Christmas we're aiming to raise £600—enough to fund a PREP programme to change even more lives. If you can help please support stroke survivors with a special Christmas gift. Thank You.