For people with Parkinson’s, being physically and mentally active can be life changing – in fact it can be as important for a person’s health and wellbeing as getting the right dose of medication.
It’s with this belief the Bexhill Working Age Group has launched two physical activity sessions to support younger people with Parkinson’s.
Bexhill Parkinson’s UK Bexhill Working Age Group was launched by Viv Nock and Paul Evans. It was started for people diagnosed before the age of 50 and is for working age people with Parkinson’s.
Physical Activity sessions
The group’s physical activity sessions acknowledge that being active can help people living with the condition. They take place weekly.
A Neuro physio led exercise class
- Bexhill Leisure Centre every Thursday between 11:15am and 12:15pm.
- For more information email Clare Proctor clareproctorphysio@gmail.com/ or call 07599817174.
A table tennis session called Bat and Chat
- Pelham in Sidley every Friday between 1pm and 3pm.
- You don’t need to have played before, just wear some suitable footwear. Find out more by contacting Viv Nock – viv.parkuk@gmail.com
Viv says: ‘Exercise classes and table tennis groups provide a perfect place to lift your mood, encourage you to leave your home, meet new people and make new friends who understand the condition. It is life changing.’
A history of helping
Viv became a Parkinson’s volunteer to be able to run the group, which she helped launch three years ago. The group’s aim is to be an educational, friendly, empathetic and very sociable support for younger people with Parkinson’s.
It also offers a place for people to discuss their symptoms in a group environment, even when they might find it hard to do so with their partners.
Viv says: ‘Everyone who has joined us has had the same awful experience at diagnosis. We are told by the neurologist that we have PD and prescribed the initial medication. We are not given any information about PD or support.
‘It is a very lonely, frightening, devastating experience. Our group has bridged the gap.’
The group recognises how difficult it may be to go along to events like these, so partner/friend/family member/carers are equally welcome to attend.
The group meet on the last Saturday of each month at Cooden Beach Golf Club between 10.30am to 12.30pm. For further information contact viv.parkuk@gmail.com
Staying active
Parkinson’s UK states activity can have a positive impact both physically and mentally for people with the condition.
Being active can maintain health, lift moods and even help manage symptoms.
The right physical activity is different for everyone. It can include everything from playing tennis for an hour, going on walks, or practising everyday movements like walking up the stairs.
Staying active can aid balance to prevent falls, help with muscle rigidity, specific exercises keep joints more mobile and improves posture. It also helps with the little things we can take for granted, such as turning over in bed and getting in and out of a chair
More information on Physical activity and exercise
Effect on wellbeing
Viv says that for mental health, staying active is of equal importance.
Staying active can ease the non-motor symptoms such as depression, apathy, fatigue, and loneliness. These are all symptoms that people with Parkinson’s Disease can be affected by.
Parkinson’s
One in four people in England live with a long-term health condition such as Parkinson’s. People in this group are twice as likely to be inactive, despite evidence that being active can help manage many conditions and reduce the impact and severity of some symptoms.
Further information on staying active
Sport England run a national campaign aimed at supporting people with long-term health conditions to be physically active. It’s We Are Undefeatable webpage has more information on this.
In addition to this local support, the Parkinson’s UK has additional information on Parkinson’s, including advice on diagnosis, living with the condition and information for carers