A PILOT project to help those living with Parkinson’s is being extended to Teesdale.
Dubbed Parkinson’s Power, the aim is to help those with the condition become more physically active.
Parkinson’s UK, the national charity that supports people with the condition, is working with Sport England on the project, which is currently running across other parts of the North East.
The charity says being active and exercising can really help people to live well with Parkinson’s, and the project will help people access more opportunities to become and stay physically active.
Parkinson’s Power engagement officer Jasmine Danby said that an aim of the project was to work with people living with Parkinson’s on a one-to-one basis, and then help them access appropriate support to try enjoyable ways to become more active.
There are more than 5,000 people living with Parkinson’s in the region, all of whom will have varying symptoms and different needs, and the project wants to engage with as many of them as possible during the next two years.
Ms Danby explained that research has shown people with Parkinson’s who are inactive respond best to a tailored approach to help them become more active. Many of them welcome the support of buddies and volunteers to help them get started.
“I go and meet people individually and we work out if there is something they want to try out to help them become more active,” she said.
“It could be something as simple as a bit of gardening or going to the gym.
“It could be walking football or seated archery, or it could be something that they have never done before.”
She added: “We are also developing some brand new volunteering pilots with partners like the National Trust and local universities, starting a Parkinson’s Power buddy programme and getting lots of support from healthcare and physical activity providers across the region.
“All of this will directly benefit people with Parkinson’s and their supporters.”
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition, meaning that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time.
There is currently no known cure and symptoms include tremors, slow movement and stiff and inflexible muscles, although those with the condition can also experience a range of other symptoms such as problems with balance, insomnia, depression and apathy.
Ms Danby said remaining physically active and exercising was one way of helping people to live well with Parkinson’s.
“It can help delay the onset of some symptoms, can help with mobility and balance and in some cases it can even result in the scaling back of medication.”
The project team are building partnerships with a number of organisations in the region to help recruit those with Parkinson’s to the pilot, and in addition, volunteers are being sought to become “buddies” .
“Buddies would provide support to help people get moving,” said Ms Danby.
“It could be as simple as accompanying someone for a walk or going along with them to an exercise class.”
Following a Parkinson’s UK open meeting in Barnard Castle in February, an exercise class is currently being arranged.
Other future activities could include a monthly Parkinson’s cafe where those living with the condition and their carers can meet up.
For more details about the Parkinson’s Power project or the buddy scheme, contact Ms Danby on 07975 947879 or email parkinsonspower@park insons.org.uk
For more information about Parkinson’s, visit www. parkinsons.org.uk or call the free, confidential helpline on 0808 800303.
