Parkinson’s UK and the Walking Football Association (WFA) have launched a new partnership in order to provide grant-funded football sessions for people with Parkinson’s.
Walking Football is not only a fun and social way for people with Parkinson’s to get active, but it can also help manage symptoms and improve strength, coordination, balance and mobility.
Parkinson’s UK’s physical activity grant funding will be used by the WFA to invest in new equipment, accredited football coaches and indoor venue hire at locations across the UK.
The WFA is set to open two new Walking Football programmes in Wigan and Swindon, with more new local sessions planned for 2023. It’s hoped that more people with Parkinson’s will be able to access local Walking Football sessions and improve their fitness and wellbeing with a minimum of 10 new sessions opening in the next year as the target. Arsenal, Nottingham, Cornwall, Blyth, Norwich and Kent are all in the pipeline.
Tim Morton, Physical Activity Programme Manager for Parkinson’s UK, said:
“We are delighted to be working with the Walking Football Association (WFA) and we hope that the new funding will allow more people with Parkinson’s to try something new and stay active.
“Walking Football can help people with Parkinson’s to lift their mood, manage their symptoms and improve their balance, coordination and mobility, in a social and fun way.”
“Being active is so important for people with Parkinson’s as it can help manage symptoms, maintain health and lift your mood. It can make you feel good inside and out. The more physically active you are, the easier it is to live well with Parkinson’s.
”Stuart Langworthy, England Manager for over 60s Walking Football at the Walking Football Association (WFA), said: “The WFA is delighted to be working with Parkinson’s UK to support more people with Parkinson’s to get active and join their local Walking Football sessions. The new grant funding will be used by the WFA to offer more football sessions for people with Parkinson’s and to support facility hire, new equipment and coaching costs.”
“The WFA has already supported more than 15 sessions for people with Parkinson’s in England over the last two years and we hope that more people will get involved with the programme.”
“We hope to have up to 10 new sessions starting in the next year for people with Parkinson’s and other conditions.”
Author: The Walking Football
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