Swindon and District Branch
Recent news
Online Parkinson's research: King's College London
The study is an entirely online study, run by King’s College London and funded by Parkinson’s UK.
It aims to better understand worry, in order to develop effective psychological treatments to reduce worry and anxiety for people with Parkinson’s. Participants are required to complete short online training sessions at home over the course of three weeks, which involve listening to audio scenarios.
The link to register interest directly to the study is
here
Further details on the Parkinson’s UK website
here
Advertising for Parkinson's study
I am a researcher at the University of Oxford in the Department of Psychiatry. I was wondering if I could advertise my study concerning the pharmacological implications of learning and memory in PD within the Swindon District Branch. Many individuals with PD find that participating in research is a very rewarding experience as it provides a sense of "giving back" and taking action against the disease. I beleive that advertising this opportunity would be just as beneficial for the members of your group. All participation and travel expenses are compensated. I've attached our advertising flyer and the link to our research page on the PUK website. Thank you ! Sara Nahon
Parkinson's Swindon - Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
The Swindon & District Branch of Parkinson’s UK is both pleased and honoured to be a recipient of this prestigious award.
Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteer helper - seated exercise class, Tuesdays 2-3pm, The Grange centre, Stratton St Margaret
Task description:
To be aware of participant welfare, sensitively responding to the needs of participants.
To join in with exercises, keeping an eye out for participants needing assistance, particularly during resistance band work.
Assisting participants in safe and correct use of bands.
To assist with handing out and collecting in resistance bands and other exercise materials.
To relax into the general sense of fun and well-being in the class, a sense of the absurd much appreciated.
The Prospect’s Carers Open Programme – Who Cares for the Carers?
This service is now offered to those affected by Parkinson’s amongst others across Wiltshire. Please take time to read the following documents:
Cycle 4 Health at Swindon's County Ground Athletics Track
An opportunity for people with Parkinson's to cycle safely, including those in wheelchairs.
There is a group called Cycling 4 Health. They encourage people to cycle on the County Ground Athletics Tracks. There are bikes there that people can use. The times they have access to the track is Monday 10-11, Thurs 1-2 and Friday (drop in) 10-12. There is a way that folk in wheelchairs can use the bikes. This would be useful for people that don't feel safe on the roads anymore but would like/need the exercise. There is parking at the County Ground.
This is run by Swindon borough councils, Sports Development and Health Improvement team. They form part of Disibility Sport in Swindon group.
Activities available at the centre
- Sessions are held on the County Ground Athletics track, a smooth surface for riders.
- The centre caters for people from 16 years and above.
- Under 16s can attend sessions on prior arrangement.
- They have a good fleet of adapted cycles to choose from and these include a twister, a side by side tandem, a hand bike, trikes, a pedal propelled quad bike, a recumbent trike and a wheelchair platform carrier.
Opening times
Open: All year
Sessions:
Mondays 10am till 11am
Thursdays 1pm till 2pm
Cost
Please contact the centre for information on cost
Contact details:
Phone Carol Jones on 01793 464902
Tweet from Parkinson's UK (@ParkinsonsUK)
Parkinson's UK (@ParkinsonsUK) tweeted at 10:20 am on Fri, Nov 23, 2018:
Do you often experience #freezing in the same places – particularly at home? Try using floor strips to help you overcome trouble spots. The strips can be useful if you have problems turning or changing direction on patterned flooring:
https://t.co/qrdsCp6UYX https://t.co/J6wG6O3NP1
( https://twitter.com/ParkinsonsUK/status/1065913022852538373?s=09 )
Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download?s=13
Parkinson’s UK Financial Assistance 2019
From January 2019, Parkinson’s UK financial assistance grants will be available across the UK to people with Parkinson’s and their unpaid carers.
Our grants cover a wide range of items and services to help people affected by Parkinson’s feel more in control of their life with Parkinson’s or simply to improve the quality of their everyday life with the condition.
The application form and guidance for applicants can be downloaded from our webpage or mailed to applicants on request. Feedback tells us that the application process is clear and straightforward and applicants are well-supported by our Local Adviser service. Further information here.
Parkinson’s UK Swindon & District Branch - Committee Vacancies
As our Branch membership grows so does the work load for your Branch committee volunteers. Some of the long term committee members have obviously slowed down as their Parkinson’s progresses, so we are now looking for some new committee members to share the load and improve the effectiveness of the committee. Details here
Singing Group
New weekly singing group for people living with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.
Starts Monday 3rd September 2018. Details here
Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living
I would like to introduce myself, colleague Jen and Wiltshire CIL who now have the contract with Wiltshire Council for User Engagement. I am really keen that we get the word out as widely as possible and enable as many people as possible to be part of this if they wish to. http://www.wiltshirecil.org.uk/user-engagement - a useful link.
Zoё Millington
Development Outreach Worker
0300 1233 442
Thank You Nationwide Building Society
The Swindon & District Branch of Parkinson’s UK is both delighted and extremely grateful with the announcement by Nationwide, that having reviewed the request submitted by Nationwide’s Simon Evans and Karen Weedon on our behalf, have approved a sizeable donation for their continued support of our Respite Programme.
This quarter the funding committee at Nationwide received 65 applications which needed to be carefully reviewed and considered. Some tough decisions had to be made leaving some Charities disappointed, however Nationwide are delighted to have approved a donation of £1700 to Parkinson's UK - Swindon & District Branch and positive it will put to good use.
The next steps is for Nationwide to pass on your information to Charities Trust. Charities Trust will then process the payment on our behalf, subject to successful completion of their verification process. Please note this process may take 8 – 12 weeks to complete.
Since moving our Respite Programme from Thursday to Mondays thus giving a longer period during the day to book a respite period, the number of users has greatly increased as has the cost to the Branch, so this donation is very important to us.. It is an important programme in that it gives our carers some time to themselves, some “Me Time”.
So once again, we thank Nationwide for their support and promise this donation will be but to good and essential use.
Dave Logan
Branch Chair
Parkinson’s K – Swindon & District Branch
Imanyo Golf Society Parkinson's Charity Vase 9th May 2018 at El Plantio
This is the fourth year for this popular competition the “Parkinson Vase”. A special thanks goes to Geoff Ham, a Swindon & District Branch member and the competition sponsor, who has Parkinson’s and although no longer able to play golf, specially travelled from the UK to Spain for the competition. A grand total on the day of €285 was raised in aid of the Parkinson’s Branch in Swindon.
Sponsorship Agreement
I am pleased to announce that the cost of running our Branch Walking Football in being sponsored by Attorney Wills. This sponsorship agreement is effective from the 1st July 2018.
I would like to thank Attorney Wills on behalf of the Branch.
Dave Logan
Branch Chair
Marlborough Parkinson's Cafe
2.30pm - 3.30pm every third Thursday of the month from 17th May 2018.
Marlborough Leisure Centre, Barton Dene, off Bath Rd SN8 1PB
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