Exercise after stroke or TIA

If you’ve had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), you can improve your quality of life with our Fit 4 health scheme. Since 2009, participants have reported improved:

• weight loss
• blood pressure
• blood sugar control
• strength, stamina
• flexibility
• balance
• levels of happiness

Fit 4 Health sessions

Each programme lasts 11 weeks and sessions take place at Britannia Leisure Centre and Clissold Leisure Centre. Every session includes:

• a warm up
• cardiovascular exercise
• light resistance exercises
•  a cool down
• an opportunity to socialise afterwards

The format is either gym or circuit-based and held twice weekly. We encourage walking via our slow pace walk session and monitoring of steps via a pedometer programme.

Make a referral

We are keen to take referrals to the scheme and believe that the programme will help provide specific care to residents who have suffered a stroke or TIA.

We particularly welcome interest from health professionals who would like to refer clients to the programme. Health professionals can directly refer clients by completing the referral form.

Make a referral to Fit 4 Health sessions

If you know someone who has been affected by stroke and would benefit from the Fit 4 health (EASS) intervention contact us.

You can call us on 020 8356 5285 /4897 or email: helen.mcginley@hackney.gov.uk or darren.english@hackney.gov.uk

See Fit 4 Health – Exercise after stroke programme dates (google doc)

See publicity for Fit 4 Health – Exercise after stroke scheme

Exercise at home

Fit 4 Health instructor Helen McGinley delivers a gentle exercise warm-up routine. It is suitable for beginners. 

Talk to your doctor or a healthcare professional before undertaking any physical exercise or activity. All physical activity and exercise by children should be undertaken with appropriate parental supervision and guidance. If you experience any pain, discomfort or other injury, see your doctor or healthcare professional for medical advice.

Fit 4 Health slow pace walk

To help in the prevention and recovery of stroke/TIA and for those with mobility issues.

Dates: Wednesdays, 23 April 2025 to 5 November 2025 (there will be no session on 27 August)

Times: 11.30am to 12.15pm

Venue: Clissold Park, Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, London N16 9HJ

Meeting point: The outside garden area (ground level) of Clissold House Cafe

Instructors: Aurelia, Francesca and Rita 

This guide outlines the steps that everyone must take when joining a Hackney Council Fit 4 Health walk:

View joining guide (PDF 103kb)

View Fit 4 Health slow pace walk poster (PDF 315kb).

Booking is essential and new participants are asked to complete a registration form before participating.

Register for Fit 4 Health slow pace health walk

If you’ve got any health conditions that could be affected by exercise, seek medical advice from your GP before starting the scheme. 

You must live in the borough or see a Hackney-based GP as a patient to attend.

On the day of your walk:

• be on time but don’t arrive any earlier than 5 minutes before the start time
• make yourself known to the walk leader
• wear comfortable walking shoes
• bring a bottle of water

Where possible we’ll try to accommodate your transport needs, for example providing local travel routes or assistance with Dial-a-Ride. The walk is supported by MRS Independent Living and Shoreditch Trust.

For more information, see walking groups in Hackney

Case studies and testimonials

Find out how the Fit 4 Health programme has helped Hackney residents: