Leisure centres in Solihull are now offering free membership to people living with Parkinson’s.
North Solihull Sports Centre and Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, run by award-winning operator Everyone Active in partnership with Solihull Council, are taking part in the new initiative alongside charity Parkinson’s UK.
The free membership gives access to gym, swim and group exercise classes, plus all members will be offered a personalised exercise programme through EXi, the easy-to-use online platform, with Synergy Dance online classes also available. Free carer membership will be available, if required.
In addition to the free Parkinson’s membership offer, specialist exercise classes for people with Parkinson’s are on offer at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre. These specialist classes are designed to provide the most effective exercise sessions to support self-management of Parkinson’s and are led by exercise referral specialist instructors. For more details follow the link here.
Additional support is also available via the DocSpot Exercise Referral Scheme. This is an individually tailored 12 week exercise programme to support people with long-term health conditions, which helps to build confidence, skills and knowledge of the most effective exercise to suit individual needs and goals. For more information on how to be referred into the scheme and further details follow the link here.
Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world and there is currently no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and there are more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.
Being physically active can play an important role in living well with Parkinson’s. People living with the condition find various activities, from walking to dance, beneficial in managing their symptoms.
Wayne Desmond, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are immensely proud to launch this partnership with Parkinson’s UK and hope it will make a real difference to many people’s lives.
“We want to encourage the whole Parkinson’s community to exercise and are confident we have an activity for all, no matter what your age, ability or fitness level.
“Being more active will help members to live well with Parkinson’s, improving their physical fitness and mental wellbeing, as well as having fun.”
Tom Ingram, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Everyone Active, who have very generously offered complimentary membership for people living with Parkinson’s and their carers.
“Being physically active is important for everyone. It supports both physical and mental health and depending on what you choose, can provide social support and interaction, all of which can really help people living with Parkinson’s and those providing informal care.
“Developing a regular physical activity habit can make a person feel more in control when living with the condition. Quality of life can be enhanced and independence and confidence maintained.
“We hope that with the support of Everyone Active, the Parkinson’s community can enjoy physical activity and use it to make a real difference to their lives.”
For further information or to join, visit https://www.everyoneactive.com/promotion/parkinsons/
Those with underlying health conditions such as heart problems, diabetes or breathing issues should contact their GP before starting any new activity.