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The Swindon & District Branch of Parkinson’s UK has committed to fund a new Balance & Exercise Class for people suffering with Parkinson’s in the Swindon area.  Details have now been finalised and the first class starts on 5 February 2014.  This is in addition to the special Tai Chi Class already supported by the Branch

The reasons behind the decision to fund this new venture which will cost just over £5000pa, the benefits for participants and why it is important and worthy of being financed by the Branch are explained below.

 The Motives Behind Funding The Exercise Class

The latest information from Parkinson’s UK is that recent research has shown that exercise seems to protect the dopamine producing nerve cells that are lost in Parkinson’s, helping them work better and survive for longer. This could potentially slow down the progression of Parkinson’s, something no current treatment or medication can do.

To this end ths Branch has committed to provide help to keep people with Parkinson’s in our area physically mobile for as long as possible in the hope that new medication will be made available to them in time to do some good.

The New Class

The class will be run by Physiotherapist Pip Morris who is employed by SEQOL and works in the Betjeman Centre located in Great Western Hospital.  Pip works in the Movement Disorder clinic at the Betjeman Centre and has experience working with patients with Parkinson’s and has completed a masters module in exercise prescription for people with long term neurological conditions.  Pip will be supported by a rehabilitation assistant from the Betjeman centre, who is experienced in working with patients who have Parkinson’s and whilst in the gym there will also be a gym instructor available from the local leisure centre being used.

This will give us access to the newly refurbished gym suite and the sports hall. The class will include work in the gym and a circuit in the sports hall after.

Following the initial 8 week trial a questionnaire will be issued to participants to evaluate what they thought and felt useful to plan ongoing needs and make changes if required etc.

Participants will need to be independently mobile with an aid (they can bring frames/walkers/sticks etc but will need to move around the gym area independently.

Carers are welcome to come and there is a café on site to sit and chat as a sort of self-help group.

To help finance this new class I have signed up to The Blunsdon House Hotel Leisure Club Swim Challenge to swim the English Channel (34km) in their pool (3238 lengths) and any sponsorship to help raise money towards this venture would be appreciated.  Thank you.

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