The Parkinson's Disease Society
The Parkinson's Disease Society became Parkinson's UK on 8 April 2010.
Parkinson's UK is the operating name of the Parkinson's Disease
Society of the United Kingdom. The operating name Parkinson's UK
was adopted on 8 April 2010.
We bring people with Parkinson's, their carers and families
together via our network of local groups, our website and free
confidential helpline 0808 800 0303.
Specialist nurses, our supporters
and staff provide information and training on every aspect of
Parkinson's.
Find a cure, change attitudes and demand better services
As the UK's Parkinson's support and research charity we’re
leading the work to find a cure, and we’re closer than ever. We
also campaign to change attitudes and demand better services.
Our work is entirely dependent on donations. Every donation
makes a difference. Making a one off donation online is quick and secure.
You can also find out about more ways to
donate on our donation page.
The foundation of the Parkinson's Disease Society
The Parkinson's Disease Society started life in a one-room
office in Putney, West London.
Mali Hilda Jenkins was looking for sources of
information on Parkinson's and support for people with
Parkinson's to help her sister Sarah.
Sarah Jenkins had been living with Parkinson’s for some years
and was cared for at the family home.
Mali Jenkins founded the Parkinson's Disease
Society in response to the lack of patient associations
to help people affected by Parkinson's and
Parkinson's literature written in terms that non-medical
people could understand.
Mali began an investigation to find out what she could about
Parkinson's. It was from this research that the idea of starting a
society grew.
Mali had set up an exploratory steering group of neurologists,
solicitors, relatives, friends and supporters.
Working in a bedroom converted into an office in the family
home, Mali progressed plans that eventually led to the Parkinson's
Disease Society being granted charitable status on 26 February
1969.
Mali wanted advice and information to be offered to everyone
affected by Parkinson's. She also wanted the charity to focus on
raising money for research into the condition.
Mali Jenkins Fund
Our Mali Jenkins Fund provides
one-off grants to people with Parkinson's.
The aim is to give financial assistance towards equipment,
adaptations and respite breaks that will improve quality of
life.
Parkinson's Disease Society becomes Parkinson's UK
We changed from the Parkinson's Disease Society to Parkinson's
UK on 8 April 2010 - and launched our a bold new look.
For more than 40 years we had been working to improve life
for 
people living with Parkinson's.
In that time we had achieved a lot. We'd invested more than
£45million into research, secured 280 specialist Parkinson's nurses
and provided information, friendship and support to hundreds of
thousands of people.
But we still had a lot to do to reach everyone who needs us. And
we still don't have a cure. So there is much more for us to do.
We became Parkinson's UK so we can reach everyone affected
by Parkinson's and find a cure more quickly.
We believe our
new brand meant clearly defining who we
are, as well as updating
how we write and
how we look. It's helping us to reach everyone affected by
Parkinson's and find a cure more quickly.
More about Parkinson's UK and who we
are