Posted on: 23 October 2025
As the world marks World Stroke Day on Wednesday 29 October, West Yorkshire is showing how integrated rehabilitation can help people recover, return to work and live healthier working lives.
Through the Healthy Working Life programme, local health and care partners are
scaling up the learning from a pioneering Stroke Vocational Rehabilitation Service to enhance stroke, cardiac and pulmonary pathways - tackling one of the leading causes of work loss in the region and supporting people to stay in or return to employment after serious illness.
Nationally, nearly 30% of people out of work for health reasons have a heart or circulatory condition. One in four stroke survivors are of working age, but many can’t return to employment because they can’t access the rehabilitation support they need.
West Yorkshire’s pilot programme delivered in Airedale, Bradford, Craven and Wharfedale, supported people recovering from stroke or subarachnoid haemorrhage to stay in, return to or end work well. Delivered in partnership with SkillsHouse (Bradford Council), the service achieved striking results - 76% of participants improved their work or job prospects, with more than half staying in their original roles.
“This approach shows what’s possible when we connect health, employment and rehabilitation,” said Abigail Davis, Vocational Rehab Clinical Lead at Bradford Teaching Hospitals. “It’s about helping people rebuild confidence, independence and purpose after serious illness.”
The programme is expanding across West Yorkshire, offering consistent vocational rehabilitation within existing rehab services.
Training for clinicians and resources, including an employer video, are helping people remain as independent as possible and return to meaningful work.
“Good rehabilitation doesn’t just restore health - it restores opportunity,” said Jeremy Gee, Rehabilitation Lead for West Yorkshire. “By helping people stay in work, we’re improving wellbeing and strengthening communities.”
Retired professor and Leeds local, Bruce Yardley, has written blogs sharing his experience of stroke, to help empower fellow survivors through their recovery journey. These are available to read on the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT) website.
For more information visit the Healthy Working Life pages and the All Things Stroke website for more support around returning to, or remaining in work, after a stroke.