February 03, 2026 - 207 views
A specialist Life After Stroke exercise group in Caernarfon is helping to highlight the importance of ongoing rehabilitation, physical activity and education in reducing the risk of recurrent stroke and supporting long-term recovery.
The group is delivered in partnership with Byw’n Iach, whose focus on promoting healthier lifestyles aligns closely with the aims of the stroke-specific exercise sessions. By providing a supportive, structured and community-based environment, Byw’n Iach enables participants to continue their rehabilitation beyond traditional healthcare settings and encourages long-term engagement in healthy behaviours.
Together, this partnership represents an important step forward in strengthening post-stroke care, empowering patients to manage their recovery, and supporting stroke prevention across Gwynedd and Môn.
The group provides people who have experienced a stroke with structured, tailored exercise sessions alongside practical education on stroke prevention, helping participants rebuild confidence, improve physical function and better understand how to manage their health following discharge from hospital.
The initiative recognises that rehabilitation does not end when patients leave hospital. Instead, continued access to the right support in the community can play a vital role in improving outcomes and reducing the likelihood of further strokes, which are often associated with more severe disability and increased long-term care needs.
Karl Jackson, Consultant Stroke Therapist, said: “The Life After Stroke exercise group is designed to support people at a crucial stage in their recovery, when early exposure to structured physical activity and accessible education can make a real difference to long-term outcomes.
Rehabilitation doesn’t stop at hospital discharge – people need ongoing opportunities to rebuild confidence, improve physical function and gain the knowledge needed to reduce their future risk.
“Secondary stroke prevention is one of the most effective ways of reducing recurrent strokes, which are often more complex and disabling. By supporting people to address modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, blood pressure and lifestyle behaviours, we can empower them to take an active role in their own health while also reducing the wider health and social care impact of stroke.
“The success of this initiative is strengthened by our close partnership with the Stroke Prevention Team, whose expertise and involvement are integral across the entire stroke pathway. Their role in identifying suitable participants, reinforcing key prevention messages, and ensuring continuity of care enhances the quality and reach of the programme. Their collaboration ensures that patients receive consistent, evidence‑based guidance from acute care through to community rehabilitation, supporting a seamless and patient‑centred experience.”
Trystan Pritchard, Managing Director Byw’n Iach said: “This is an important project which should have clear benefits for patients. It’s part of our approach to use the expertise of our staff and our community facilities to help improve the health of the people of Gwynedd and reduce pressure on NHS services at the same time. We are very keen to welcome people who may not usually have accessed our services and help them develop more active lifestyles.”
