Supporting Parkinson’s in the Area
PRITC was asked to work in partnership with Parkinson’s UK and East Riding’s Active Communities Team, to address the lack of support for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the area.
In April 2024, working with Alison Lofus, Area Development Manager for Parkinson’s UK, we held our first ‘drop in’ café style morning. We are grateful to the Management Team at Stamford’s Bar and Grill, who allow us to use the premises and provide hot drinks free of charge.
It was amazing to see almost 30 individuals attending the first session, confirming the need for this type of support group in the area. The ‘Pocklington Parkinson’s Café’ sessions are now held monthly on the first Wednesday of every month between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm. The sessions welcome people with Parkinson’s and their partners/carers. Support and advice is offered from Parkinson’s UK and a programme of talks including a visit from a Speech and Language Therapist and a morning of music therapy have been enjoyed over the last few months.
One local resident, Joan, who attended the first Parkinson’s café session told us: “This morning has been fantastic. I didn’t know anyone else who has Parkinson's before coming. It’s lovely to know that I'm not alone and there is this community that we didn't know existed.”
100% of participants we asked reported feeling less isolated and said they have met new friends through attending the sessions. Comments included:
“I’ve got friends who try to understand, but meeting other people with Parkinson’s is so helpful”
"It's great to have something locally as we don't have anything in this area, not even a Parkinson’s Nurse“
"We seem to be in an area where we get missed, as although we're in the East Riding, a lot of the services we access are in York’
"It’s been nice to meet people from the local area with the same condition“
During consultation with the group, the participants expressed a need for more opportunities to exercise and increase their activity levels to help with the condition. Working in partnership with East Riding Leisure, Francis Scaife, we have been able to set up a weekly activity session that includes a seated exercise workout specifically tailored to the needs of the participants, followed by a variety of games and activities such as seated volleyball, archery, boxing and boccia. The group are becoming more confident every week and friendships are forming between participants.
Linda, who has attended every week since the beginning, told us: "coming to the sessions has enabled me to do more. I was a P.E teacher and I played volleyball and netball. Coming to the group has allowed me to be competitive again and I've been able to access things I'd forgotten I could do.".
Michael, another regular group member told us " My Specialist at the hospital was pleased when I told him I come here every week. It's great because it's a mixture of physical and mental health support. When I’m taking part I feel a sense of well-being, it’s companiable and it’s good to have a focus, it helps me stay disciplined. When we’re at the sessions we’re not thinking about Parkinson’s, which is a nice distraction”.