Exercise Class for people with Parkinson's

Whether you've had Parkinson's for some time, or if you've recently been diagnosed, you will find a warm welcome at the Active Hastings Exercise for Parkinson's class.

The class is open to people with Parkinson's and their friends and is delivered by a team of trained instructors, who have undertaken training to support people with Parkinson's to be active. The class takes place every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 3pm at Ore Community Centre, to find out more visit: www.activehastings.org.uk/parkinsons

Hear from Sheila, who attends the class: "When Arthur, my late husband, was diagnosed with Parkinson's we decided there and then we would do everything we could to fight it. So, when we heard about the Active Hastings Exercise for Parkinson's class at an Open Day in July, and we couldn't wait for the classes to start in the September. It was brilliant as I was able to join the group too, I especially enjoyed watching Arthur make progress, and chatting to other people with Parkinson's and their friends.

"We were able to practice some of the exercises at home too, so we would continue our stretch exercising at home, which was always good fun. We heard that music could boost motivation and magnify the effects of exercise, so we would play marching music at home (Arthur was in the Navy so it seemed like a good choice), and he would march up and down the hallway, to help keep himself moving and to stay active.

"I would highly recommend the class to anyone with Parkinson's as it's a very friendly group, and everyone can work to their own pace."

Councillor Andy Batsford, lead councillor for Health and Culture at Hastings Borough Council, said: "We hope the Active Hastings Exercise for Parkinson's class empowers the Parkinson's community to feel more confident in taking part in physical activity. We would like to thank Sheila for sharing her story, and we hope other people with Parkinson's and their friends, have been inspired to join the class." 

Active Hastings is proud to join the We Are Undefeatable movement, by encouraging local people with long-term health conditions to keep active. Being Undefeatable is understanding how you feel can change from day-to-day, that everybody's situation is unique, and that moving more when you can is just as important as accepting when you can't. To hear from other local people who have shared their experience of exercising with a long-term health condition visit: www.activehastings.org.uk/weareundefeatable

Active Hastings is hosted by Hastings Borough Council, in partnership with East Sussex County Council, but brings together a wide range of local and national partners to ensure that everyone in Hastings can get active.

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Notes to editor:
Active Hastings

Active Hastings works closely with local providers of physical activity to give you easy, fun ways to get your everyday dose of physical activity. It only takes 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 a day for children to get fitter, healthier and happier. You can even break it down into 10 minute slots!

Active Hastings coordinates the local Community Physical Activity Network, which brings together schools, sport clubs, National Governing Bodies of Sport, health organisations, the voluntary sector and the private sector to work together, unblock barriers to participation and improve the local sport and physical activity delivery system.

Find out more at www.activehastings.org.uk or follow them on Facebook 'Active Hastings'.

For more information contact Emma Bailey (She/Her), Social Marketing and Communications Officer, Active Hastings, Hastings Borough Council on 01424 451145 or email: emma.bailey@hastings.gov.uk