Activity and Support groups available for People with Parkinson’s (PwP)

The Branch promotes the activities listed as there is evidence that they are beneficial to PwP. The activities are run by either accredited or recognised instructors and they take responsibility for their groups. If you are interested in any of the activities please contact the lead person first. They can answer any questions you have and, if appropriate, give you further information. No previous experience of having participated in any of these activities is necessary.

All activities and social groups are made available to those with Parkinson’s Disease and their carers. They are informal and friendly and provide opportunities to meet others and socialise. (££) indicates those activities the Bristol & District Branch of Parkinson’s UK support. Unsupported activities such as Boxing are not covered by Parkinson's UK public liability insurance, and members are advised to check with these service providers that such cover is made available for them.

ACTIVITY GROUPS

Nordic Walking

NORDIC WALKING SESSIONS

Venue: The Downs. Meet outside the cafe next to the water tower.

Wednesdays Time: 11:15 - 12:00 Starting on Wed. 6th April 2022.

There will be a session on Nordic Walking starting at 11:15 AM on Wednesday 6^th April.

If you wish to take part, meet by the café next to the water tower. Walking poles will be provided.

The walk will be for 45 minutes(11:15 to 12:00), on fairly level ground. Your instructor will be Kate Kutchera who will meet you by the café, collect your payment of £3.50 per person, and hand out the walking poles.

As this is a new activity, we ask you to send an email to kate@bristolnordicwalking.co.uk confirming how many of you will attend.

We hope as many of you as possible will come, as a poor turnout could result in this activity being scrapped in future. If it is a success it will become a weekly event each Wednesday during term time.

This activity is part-funded by Parkinson’s UK. (££)

Dance for Parkinson’s

Is mainly seated using music and free movements, with optional opportunities for moving to music in standing. Classes are led by dancers from The Original Spinners, trained to deliver dance to PwP. Contact: Rachel: 07966 695209 or theoriginalspinners@gmail.com Click here for more details. Venue - Coniston Community Centre, The Parade, Patchway BS34 5LP: Fridays 10.30 - 12 noon. Contact Donna Baber, Fresh Arts Manager at North Bristol NHS Trust on 07554 334 828 or fresh.arts@nbt.nhs.uk.

Exercise classes

Exercise as Medicine. Involves 30 minutes in the gym using equipment, following a personally tailored programme, and a 30 minutes circuit training activity. Activities can involve sitting and standing and can be adapted to individual needs. Venue: Thornbury Leisure Centre, BS35 3JB: Tuesdays at 12.00, 13.00 and 14.00 and Thursdays at 11.30 and 12.30 Cost: £5.40 per 1 hr session (££) Contact: Mary Burton, Neurological Physiotherapist 077181 77288 fizzyo@hotmail.co.uk see also www.maryburton.rehab for more information.

Non-contact Boxing

Ideally, requires independent movement and agility to move around the gym unaided, although less mobile individuals have also the opportunity to participate. No previous boxing knowledge or experience is required and all programme specific equipment is supplied, including boxing gloves. Male and female participation welcome.

Venue is Broad Plain Boxing Club, Clement Street, BS2 9ES. Timing is Thursday gather at 10:00 am for 10:30-11:30.

Cost is £5 per session, payable on arrival. No advance payment necessary, however, notice of attendance or not much appreciated.

Contact: Dennis Stinchcombe: 07973 574091 dennismbe@riversideyp.org

Provider: Broad Plain Boxing Club. Parking at the club is free. For more information Click here.

This activity is not covered by Parkinson's UK public liability insurance, and members are advised to check with the service providers that such cover is made available for them.

Life Balance Class

Venue: Henbury Leisure Centre, BS10 7NG: Tuesdays 10:30 AM. Low intensity circuit of exercises, with some seated, for people with Parkinson`s. Suitable for wheelchair users. Cost: £3.20 per 1 hr session.

Contact: Alistair Macfarlene on 07825 033741 or email alistairmacfarlane@everyoneactive.com

Provider: Everyone Active (Parking at above locations – free)

Everyone Active leisure centres in Bristol (Easton, Henbury, Horfield and Kingsdown) are offering a FREE all access membership to people living with Parkinson’s and their carers. This is an amazing offer so please pass this on.

Anyone interested can contact Alistair on 07825033741 or alistairmacfarlane@everyoneactive.com, or alistairmacfarlane@everyoneactive.com or pdfitnessbristol@gmail.com.

Our next PD Warrior 10 week course for beginners is about to commence. Spaces are starting to fill for our face to face course at the Bristol Brain Centre, Southmead Hospital, starting January 12^th 2023. We need to fill all spaces so it can go ahead. We also have online options too, please contact us for info.

PD warrior

PD Warrior 10-week beginners course

Bristol Brain Centre, Southmead Hospital – Thursday, 17.30 – 18.30 pm

Online via Zoom – Tuesday, 17.30 – 18.30 pm

Brain Centre course fee £160; Zoom course fee £130.

For more details contact Alistair on 07825033741 or alistairmacfarlane@everyoneactive.com

PD Warrior is not the same as working out in the gym, going for a walk or going for a swim. It is an exercise specifically designed to slow the progression of Parkinson's through power, amplitude and high effort. What you miss out on by doing generic exercise is the opportunity to drive the brain's natural ability to re-wire itself and protect itself. The course runs for 10 weeks at a cost of £160 for in person at the Brain Centre and £130 for online via Zoom. It is for those who have been recently diagnosed or in the early or moderate stages of PD and who are reasonably fit and active.

Venue: Bristol Brain Centre, Southmead Hospital. Thursdays 17.30 – 18.30. (Parking at hospital – free with Blue Badge)

Via Zoom from the comfort of your own home. Tuesdays 17:30 – 18:30.

NEURO Warrior continuation class

Venues: Henbury Leisure Centre - Tuesdays 12.00 – 1300

Horfield Leisure Centre - Thursdays 15.30 - 16.30.

Cost at both venues: £10 per class or inclusive in centre membership from £14.99 per month.

Zoom – Mondays 12.00 – 12.45

Zoom – Wednesdays 12.00 – 12.45

Cost for Zoom: £6 per class

Contact: Alistair Macfarlane: 07825 033741 alistairmacfarlane@everyoneactive.com for all PD Warrior courses and classes. Provider: Everyone Active.

Parking at Henbury and Horfield Leisure Centres is free.

This activity is not covered by Parkinson's UK public liability insurance, and members are advised to check with the service providers that such cover is made available for them.

Tai Chi

Weekly Face to Face Tai Chi classes are on Fridays at 10.15am at Lincombe Barn, Downend Folk House, BS16 2RW (Venue Details here)

Cost is £7.00 (££) per class (2 sessions of 45 minutes each with a half hour tea break) Classes will be open to people with Parkinsons, their Carers and immediate family. Tai Chi is well known as a wonderful therapeutic and holistic practice and there are many studies that show the incredible benefits that regular practice can bring. Exercises can be adapted for those who need to sit. If you are interested please contact one of the teachers listed below