Recent news
Parkinson’s UK Online Self-Management Programme
We are pleased to announce that Parkinson’s UK will be offering our self-management programme as an online group this spring. This new online self-management pilot is for people with Parkinson's, partners and current carers.
Dance for Parkinson’s Class Dates
April – July 2018
Fridays 1.30-2.30 until 3pm for tea & coffee
20th April
27th April
4th May
11th May
18th May
25th May
NO CLASS 1st June
8th June
15th June
22nd June
29th June
6th July
13th July -TBC
We would also like to invite the group to take part in our adult summer show Dance Mix, here at Swindon Dance. This takes place from the 11th-13th July and we would like the group to perform at one of the shows, please see the attached letter for further details.
Parkinson’s Power
We know that physical activity can make a significant difference to staying well with Parkinson’s. In partnership with Sport England, the national organisation working towards an active nation, we’ve launched Parkinson’s Power. It’s a project to uncover the barriers people with Parkinson’s face in getting and staying active.
The first step of the project is a survey. Please take 15 minutes to tell us about your relationship with exercise and activity – no matter how active you may consider yourself. The survey closes on 6 April and can be found at http://sgiz.mobi/s3/Parkinsons-power
A Message from Parkinson’s UK
Parkinson’s UK are looking for Volunteer self-management facilitators. They need people with Parkinson’s, partners and current carers to volunteer as self-management facilitators. You can use your first-hand experience and skills to provide support in your local area.
For full details please see the links below
A link to the Parkinson’s UK Facebook piece:
https://www.facebook.com/parkinsonsuk/posts/10156345610383856
A link to the Self-Management Programme pages on the Parkinson’s UK website:
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/self-management-programme
And a link to the Introduction to Volunteering as a Self-Management Facilitator document
If you have any queries regarding this role please contact
Alison Lofas
Self-Management Programme Volunteer Co-ordinator
Direct Dial: 0344 225 3625
Mobile: 07964 393073
Email: alofas@parkinsons.org.uk
Paul Mayhew-Archer - The Funny Side of Parkinson's
Urgent Message From Dr.Lennox reference:- Flu Jabs and Vitamin D
I would be very grateful if you could remind our lovely members that we strongly recommend that they take up the offer of flu vaccination as early as possible this coming autumn.
People with PD are slightly more likely to catch flu, and more likely to become poorly if they do. Last year’s vaccine was very effective and there are no particular side-effects in people with Parkinson’s. Ideally other members of the household should also be vaccinated, to reduce the risk of spreading it to the person with PD.
NICE have recently issued updated guidelines on PD. These include the recommendation that everyone with PD consider taking a daily calcium and vitamin D supplement to strengthen their bones and immune system. Your GP will be happy to prescribe this!
Message from Paul Mayhew-Archer. November 5th 2017
A couple of years ago I presented a little documentary called “Parkinson’s: The Funny Side." It was about my life with Parkinson’s as I approached the end of my “five good years"
I’m still going and I am now back with another documentary. It’s even littler. It’s 10 minutes and it’s an update. It’s also about my first appearance at The Comedy Store in London doing 10 minutes of stand up about Parkinson’s.
It is on "Inside Out’ in London and the South tomorrow evening, Monday Nov 6th, BBC One 7.30pm.
If you do not live in those areas it will then be available on iplayer for 28 days under “inside Out South”. The original documentary can also be found there as that is now permanently available.
Also, on December 1st I will be at The Comedy Store again making my second appearance.
Parkinson’s Awareness Week 2018
Instead of our usual Parkinson’s Awareness Week, we’ll be focusing our efforts on World Parkinson’s Day – taking place on 11 April 2018.
Last year on 11 April, Parkinson’s UK partnered with European Parkinson's Disease Association to create Unite for Parkinsons. More than 4,600 people downloaded the toolkit – from around 80 countries across the world – to take part on this day.
Due to its success in 2017, Parkinson’s UK are looking at how they can enable the local networks and supporters to take part and create an even bigger day in 2018. They will be communicating more details over the coming months. For inspiration, or to find out more about World Parkinson’s Day and Unite for Parkinsons, visit www.worldparkinsonsday.com.
Over to us
If we are planning an event or activity in April 2018, they say it would be great if we could hold our event on World Parkinson’s Day. If that’s not possible, the week of the 9 April, the weekend before or after. And they suggest describing it as an event to mark World Parkinson’s Day.
We will keep you in the picture
Dave Logan
Branch Chair
Thank You from Parkinson’s UK for Branch Support of BOXCAM
I just wanted to get in touch to say a massive thank you to you and the branch for all your help at the BOXCAM event last weekend, having you there supporting us on the day was brilliant and it really helped us out. The cyclists loved the tea and coffee you provided and were impressed that you were all volunteers. I am also grateful for all the support you gave us in the lead up to the event by spreading the word.
The event has so far raised nearly £70,000 so thank you for being a part of this. The money as you know is going towards research for Parkinson’s. I would be grateful if you could pass on my thanks to the rest of the group, and please let me know if you have any feedback for us on the running of the event.
Julia Selby, Events Project Manager - Cycling, Parkinson's UK
Flu Jabs and Vitamin D - message from PD Specialist Dr Lennox
I strongly recommend that you take up the offer of flu vaccination as early as possible this coming autumn.
People with PD are slightly more likely to catch flu, and more likely to become poorly if they do. Last year’s vaccine was very effective and there are no particular side-effects in people with Parkinson’s. Ideally other members of the household should also be vaccinated, to reduce the risk of spreading it to the person with PD.
NICE have recently issued updated guidelines on PD. These include the recommendation that everyone with PD consider taking a daily calcium and vitamin D supplement to strengthen their bones and immune system. Your GP will be happy to prescribe this!
Walking Football is moving venue with effect from 2 October to PlayFootball.
The new contract has been signed and sent to Parkinson's UK. Comments back were that "it sounds like a fantastic venue and relationdhip".
The new venue is set up for such a purpose, safer. The pitches are fully enclosed with netting and soft 4g playing surfaces. The costs is less than at present and at a special rate for us and includes free tea and coffee in their café area after playing helping to make it a more social event. Also if we go over time or need two pitches they won’t charge any extra as they want to support us as a charity recognising the reasons why we have exercise programmes for people with Parkinson's.
They have a permanent first aider on site including a defibilator.
You will get full info on the venue, address etc. here
Parkinson’s Coffee Mornings
I can confirm that following the General Election and the re-election of Justin Tomlinson that the monthly Coffee Mornings will take place from 10am to 12pm.
Anniversary Event for the Swindon & District Branch
The 16th March 2018 will mark the 40th Anniversary of the inauguration of our Branch. We welcome any suggestions from our Branch members on how we should celebrate this milestone.
Dave Logan
Branch Chair
Royal Society of St George Wiltshire Branch
Thank you to Branch Member Pat Wallington who is secretary of Royal Society of St George Wiltshire Branch. Pat kindly persuaded the Society to name the Swindon & District Branch of Parkinson’s UK as their Charity for 2018.
Dave Logan
Branch Chair
Carer Support - Respite Programme Enhancement
The Parkinson’s Swindon & District Branch “Thursday Parkinson’s Respite” to help support carers of people affected by Parkinson’s that started in February is being enhanced and improved. Details here
Living Well with Parkinson’s
This free 4-week course is for people who have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. The next course is Fri 27 January. However if you would like to attend a future one, please apply as per the flyer here.
Dance for Neurology
Following on from the talk by Swindon Dance on Friday 13 January Helen Ganberg has requested we send out the links below.
Helen has spoken to their specialist teacher Sarah Fletcher who has been trained in Dance for Parkinson’s and she has said that some other centres do include those with other neurological conditions such as MS.
As was explained at the meeting the process involves seated moving, stood supported moving and then if possible moving away from the chair. It was also very well demonstrated at the meeting with over 50 people joining seat dance movements to music and all seemingly enjoying the experience.
The scheme originally started in this country at English National Ballet but our teacher Sarah uses a range of dance styles- not Ballet.
Here are some links to Dance for Parkinson's websites and articles:
http://www.ballet.org.uk/learning/dance-parkinsons/
http://danceforparkinsons.org/
http://www.communitydance.org.uk/DisplaySingle.aspx?iid=866&dbview=867&dbrow=41077
http://www.danceforparkinsonsuk.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UqtB6QU4AY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovbiV5yb2sg
I hope these will give you more of an idea of why and what is involved.
With best wishes
Helen
Healthwatch Swindon Invitation
An invitation to work with Healthwatch Swindon to influence health and social care services.
Swindon & District Branch Carer Support
Following a success Grant Application from the Wiltshire Community Foundation to finance the first two years of Carer Support, the Swindon & District Branch is pleased to announce the launching of a Respite Programme to help support our Carers. This grant is specific for and allows us to fund 300 hours of respite per annum. If successful and funds or grants permit we hope to add to the yearly total of funded hours. Details here