National Parkinson's walking football partnership celebrates first anniversary

Parkinson’s UK, the Football Association (FA), the English Football League (EFL) in the Community and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) are marking the first anniversary of a walking football partnership.

A big impact

Since its launch in April 2025, it has helped more than 230 people living with Parkinson’s to get into walking football in England and Wales.

15 Football League Club Foundations in England and 9 walking football hubs in Wales have delivered Parkinson's specific classes to help more people living with the condition to get active and access walking football sessions.

Supported by a funding boost from the FA and training from Parkinson’s UK for football coaches and instructors, the sessions have continued to go from strength-to-strength at clubs such as Norwich City FC, Bromley FC, Stockport County FC and Mansfield Town FC, among many others. 

In Wales, walking football hubs have launched at Cardiff City FC, Swansea City FC, Bridgend FC and Haverfordwest FC, among many others.

When the project first launched in May 2025, the aim was to deliver a national network of supportive walking football hubs for people living with neurological conditions, including Parkinson's, to help more people access local football sessions and enjoy being active in a fun and social way.

Being active with Parkinson's

Physical activity is shown to have many benefits for people living with Parkinson’s. Walking football can be one of the best ways to get active with the condition, including some of the following benefits:

• better cardiovascular health 
• improved bone health 
• better coordination and balance 
• reduced risk of falls or freezing 
• increased concentration and better sleep 
• better fitness generally 
• improved muscle and joint strength 
• more social opportunities.

Anna Castiaux, Physical Activity Programme Lead at Parkinson's UK, said: 

"I'm delighted to see the growth of the walking football partnership over the last 12 months.

"Since the partnership first started, we have seen many more members of the Parkinson's community engage with walking football with their local clubs. My hope is that even more people of all ages and abilities will be able to enjoy the benefits of football in the summer months.

"As a charity, we know how important football can be for people living with Parkinson's, not just for the physical benefits, but also for the social connections and community engagement.

"Being active is proven to be one of the best ways to live with Parkinson's and I hope that more people will be able to get into walking football in the future."

Caroline Rassell, Chief Executive at Parkinson's UK, said:

"Being part of the Parkinson's Pioneers has helped me see first-hand how walking football can help people to live well with Parkinson's.

"As the UK's only all-female Parkinson's walking football team, we promote togetherness, friendship and a sense of community, and the emphasis is always about being active in a fun and social way. 

"I'm delighted to see the success of the walking football partnership with EFL in the Community and the FAW, and as a keen competitor myself, I hope that even more people with Parkinson's will feel inspired to take part in local football sessions, regardless of age or ability."

Debbie Cook, Director of Community at the EFL, said:

"EFL Club charities play a vital role in the heart of their communities, using the power of football to bring people together and create inclusive, supportive environments where individuals can thrive.  

"This partnership is a powerful example of that work in action, with programmes delivered through trusted local networks making a real and lasting difference to people living with Parkinson’s.  

"In just 12 months, we’ve seen more than 230 participants engaged across the country, with 86% moving from inactive to fairly active lifestyles, alongside clear improvements in wellbeing, confidence and social connection.  

"We are incredibly proud of the impact this collaboration with Parkinson’s UK and The FA has already achieved, and we look forward to building on this success to ensure even more people can benefit from these sessions in the years to come."