Worcestershire gets active
From dance to yoga and hydrotherapy, people affected by Parkinson's in Worcester can now access a huge range of uplifting and stress reducing activities thanks to our dedicated volunteers.
We know that both the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's can make exercise difficult, however a regular exercise routine can have both physical and mental benefits for people with Parkinson's.
Volunteers from the Worcester and District and Redditch and Bromsgrove branches and Volunteer Co-ordinator Jackie Murrall identified areas which were under-served and put in place a minimum of 1 specialist exercise class for people with Parkinson's in each area.
This has now blossomed and a range activities are on offer in Worcestershire including:
- Dancefest in Redditch which offers people the opportunity to experience the joy of dance
- Exercise sessions run by a specialist neurological physiotherapist held in Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest
- Postural stability/strength and balance exercise class in Droitwich
- Yoga in Malvern
- Move It or Lose It for flexibility, aerobic health, balance and strength in Pershore
- Hydrotherapy led by a physiotherapist in Malvern
- Dynamic exercise sessions in Worcester
Motivation to exercise
Peter Penhallow, a lead volunteer at the Worcester Friendship Group explained why he was so keen to get the new, more dynamic exercise sessions off the ground:
"Trying to do exercise on a regular basis, especially on one's own, is difficult to maintain but especially when they have Parkinson's.
"By having weekly classes, especially when they are fun, motivates people to attend and reduces the time between exercise sessions. It is as much a social gathering as an exercise class."
The benefits of exercise
Kate Burgess, one of the participants who has attended the classes from the beginning, said:
"I have realised for a significant length of time that a range of exercise is definitely helpful in combatting stiffness and discomfort including lower back pain. Whilst I am aware that I should exercise on a daily basis having the opportunity to attend the Parkinson's UK Worcester exercise class on a weekly basis is very helpful.
"As well as the benefit of the warm up and warm down exercises and circuit exercises, equally important is the opportunity to get to know a group of men and women well and exchange repartee whilst exercising. I'm encouraged to extend myself but am made to feel comfortable and not to push so hard when I am having an 'off' day."
The Redditch and Bromsgrove branch started 22 years ago and the Worcester and District branch celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2018.
The changing needs of people with Parkinson's
Dawn Carr, Area Development Manager, said:
"It is fantastic to see how these branches have developed and grown over the years. They have adapted to the changing needs of people with Parkinson's and support the charity's strategy for 2015-2019 which sets out how we - and the whole Parkinson's community - are bringing forward the day when no one fears Parkinson's."