Give carers a break! Join the carers' protest from home

Dear members,

Carers Trust is organising a Protest from Home for carers everywhere – and we want you to be a part of it!  

We know carers can find it difficult to take a break, so how can you take time out to protest for their rights? 

Carers Trust is bringing that protest to your own homes. It’s collecting photos taken by carers at home and projecting them onto screens in Parliament Square on Tuesday 22nd July, just as MPs and Lords go off on their summer break. It’s making the point that, unlike Parliamentarians, unpaid carers often can’t get a proper break and so we’re all calling on Government to make respite breaks for carers an accessible and a legal right.

So we are asking carers to take and share a photo while holding up a sign or placard that shows the one thing they’d like to do if they were given a proper break.  

For more information and to get involved, please visit this link.

With thanks,

The Crossroads Care Surrey team.

JUNE 2025 Newsletter

Dear members,

As you may have heard, our Branch has been selected for the second year running to be one of the two Mayor of Sutton’s charities for 2025/26 with Sutton Women’s Centre (www.suttonwomen.co.uk).  We are absolutely honoured and delighted and hope you will support the Mayor’s events throughout the year.

We are in discussions with the Mayor’s office to host an event at the council offices in aid of World Parkinson’s Day on 11^th April 2026.   Also, a return of the Karaoke Evening plus a Race Night too.  More details to follow.  

The total raised by the Mayor last year was just over £22k which was split between SKE and Home Start Sutton, so as you can see, being chosen is a fantastic, high profile fundraising opportunity.  It does, however, take effort and time.  Thank you to all those who have already offered us help and support with this venture.

If you are interested, would you please let Mary on the committee know, by emailing her at mary@skeparkinsons.org.uk.

The African Drumming session at St John’s at the beginning of June was very well supported, thank you. Here’s a few photos of the event which also showcases how bright and modern our new venue is:

To remind you of how to get to St John’s:

The S4 bus will drop you outside the church, or you can alight at Belmont Station Road stop.  The 280 bus is a short walk, outside the California pub, as is the S3.  The 80, 420 and S1 busses are about a 10-minute walk.  From Epsom, catch the S2 bus to Sutton shops on Northey Avenue and then it’s a 5-minute walk to St John’s.  

The closest train station is Belmont station, a 6-minute walk.  There is free parking at the church and free on-street parking nearby.

Turning to other matters, if you haven’t already, please email Hugh to join our 100 Club on 100club@skeparkinsons.org.uk

Our website at www.skeparkinsons.org.uk includes all the information about our up-and-coming events, so please do log on regularly to check for updates and further information. 

Looking ahead to July and August, here’s a summary of the events planned.  Please note that there will be no Sing to Beat Parkinson’s classes in August.

Full event details can be found at: https://www.skeparkinsons.org.uk/event-list

Exercise class details can be found at: https://www.skeparkinsons.org.uk/blank-1-2

July 2025

Wednesday 9^th July                      Hampton Court & Tea

2.00pm                                             Hampton Court Way, Molesey

Friday 4^th & 18^th July                     Sing to Beat Parkinson’s

12 noon                                           Wimbledon Park Hall, SW19

Tuesday 8^th July                            Carers Coffee

10.30am                                          Café at Bourne Hall

Tuesday 8^th July                            Coffee Morning

10.30am                                          SW19

Wednesday 9^th July                       Parkinsolos Coffee

10.30am                                          Café at Bourne Hall

Friday 11^th & 25^th July                   Group Speech Therapy

1.00 – 1.45pm                                 Studio Room, Bourne Hall

Friday 11^th & 25^th July                   Singing Group

2.00 – 3.30pm                                 Studio Room, Bourne Hall

August 2025

Friday 8^th & 22^nd August               Group Speech Therapy

1.00 – 1.45pm                                 Studio Room, Bourne Hall

Friday 8^th & 22^nd August               Singing Group

2.00 – 3.30pm                                 Studio Room, Bourne Hall

Tuesday 12^th August                     Carers Coffee

10.30am                                          Café at Bourne Hall

Tuesday 12^th August                     Coffee Morning

10.30am                                          SW19

Wednesday 13^th August                Parkinsolos Coffee

10.30am                                          Café at Bourne Hall

I hope to see you at our events over July and August.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help with something else.  Our email is secretary@skeparkinsons.org.uk or call our info line on 07955 840281.

With warm wishes (and keep up the water intake!)

Arthur

IN LOCAL NEWS…

A Potted History of Merton and The SKE Branch 

My name is Valerie and I’ve been asked to write a piece about Merton’s involvement in SKE.

I became involved with Merton PUK before Covid when the former secretary of the then Merton branch asked myself and Tracy, a good friend and a person with Parkinson’s to help with the local branch.  We went along to a local evening meeting in South Wimbledon and Tracy promptly signed me up for the committee!

We were such a small branch with only about 20 members and it became impossible to run independently especially during Covid so PUK suggested we join with SKE.

We tried various ways to incorporate the group including at one point trying out the name SKEM but it didn’t work out and the Merton committee disbanded and went their separate ways.

But Tracy and I decided that we could do something practical in our local area so we asked our local pub, The Woodman if they would let us run a coffee morning once a month for people with Parkinson’s.  They kindly agreed to open the pub for us on the second Tuesday of every month at 10.30 am.  It started small with about 4 people but last month we had nearly 20 people. 

PUK and SKE supported this group with funds left over from the original Merton branch and by helping us with risk assessments and getting the word out to people with Parkinson’s.

This became the start of a beautiful friendship with SKE.

The coffee morning grew and PUK offered initial support for a speech and singing group in Merton if we could find a venue. We asked the local Wimbledon Park community hall if they would let us have the hall for free and they kindly agreed.

The speech and singing classes are run by Catarina from12 noon on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month and we now have seated exercise class run by Jeannie on the 2nd and 4th Fridays. 

SKE have always supported and encouraged our endeavours in Merton and I am now part of the SKE committee hoping to grow activities in Merton and beyond.

If you would like to contact me about any of these events or have any ideas about expanding into other parts of Merton please do so on valerie@skeparkinsons.org.uk

Parkinsolos on Wednesday 13^th August

Helen Maguire, MP for Epsom and Ewell will be joining the Parkinsolos Coffee morning on 13^th August.  If you’re able, please do come along to meet her.

Surrey County Council – Summer Advice

Please click on the following link for information about keeping safe, keeping up to date, keeping well and keeping busy in Surrey this Summer:

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/community/emergency-planning-and-community-safety/summer

Self Guided Walks Around Surrey

Walking is good for our health and is more enjoyable in the drier months of the year.  Choose from 27 walks across the county by clicking on this link:

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/countryside/what-can-you-do/walking/self-guided

Walking Football in Wimbledon

One hour walking football sessions at Cherry Red Records Stadium in Plough Lane SW17 every Tuesday 12 – 2.00pm.  Please see flyer attached for more information or email health@AFCWF.org.uk.

Companion Cycling

Have you heard of this community resource in Bushy Park?  It helps people with special needs to enjoy the fun of cycling, by offering unique access to a range of specialised cycles.   To find out more, please click on this link:  Companion Cycling | Partnered cycling for people with special needs

David Weir Leisure Centre – Everyone Active

As you know, Everyone Active offers free membership for people living with Parkinson’s and their carers.  What you may not be aware of is that there are two classes at the David Weir Leisure Centre specifically tailored to people living with Parkinson’s.  They are on Tuesdays at 11.30 – 12.30am and Fridays 12.30 – 13.30pm.  Please contact the Lesisure Centre to find out more on 0208 641 9480.

Your Local Parkinson’s Advisor

Your local Parkinson’s Advisor is called Marie King, here are her contact details:

Marie King Parkinson’s Local Adviser (Mon - Fri) Email: mking@parkinsons.org.uk or call 020 7963 3687.

IN OTHER NEWS…

Sign The Movers & Shakers Parky Charter

If you haven’t already, please sign the Movers & Shakers Parky Charter by clicking on this link:

www.parkypetition.com

Are you newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s?

Join PUK’s webinar all about creativity on Wednesday 9 July. From crafting to theatre productions, our panel explores the connection between creativity and wellbeing with Parkinson’s.

Bring along your questions for our panel or send them in advance on the booking form.

Book your place on Eventbrite

Please get in touch with us at newlydiagnosed@parkinsons.org.uk if you have any difficulties booking.

Parkinson’s UK Nurse Appeal: Great care, everywhere

Parkinson’s UK estimate that 20% of people living with Parkinson’s around the UK have little or no access to a specialist nurse.  PUK are looking to raise £9million for new Parkinson’s specialists such as Parkinson’s nurses, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists.

Not only will the appeal raise funds to seed-fund new specialist posts around the UK, but it will also pay to train the workforce and safeguard vital services through their campaigns and policy work. From May, you’ll see them sharing more about their care work with the public via the media, a postal and online appeal, Walk for Parkinson’s events, a virtual challenge event and campaigning actions. 

For more information, please click on this link:

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate/donate-great-care

Interested in Finding out More about Research?

Sign up to PUK’s Research Support 

network! here

Newly Diagnosed?

Find out more about PUK’s First Steps Programme here:

https://www.skeparkinsons.org.uk/blank-1-1-1-2

Parkinson’s Research Opportunity – Alice Jones

Hi,

I am a MSc student at Cardiff Metropolitan University currently studying Health Psychology. For my dissertation I would like to test the validity of a questionnaire that we have created that investigates the barriers and facilitators to medication adherence in individuals with Parkinson’s in order to encourage change to tackle these barriers in the future.

Would there be any possibility of sharing the link to this study within your support groups at all? I have attached the study advertisement as well as the link to this email if you would like to share it around.

https://cardiffmet.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6ytqqHQBAjbodls

I look forward to hearing from you. If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact me at alicemay.jones02@gmail.com

Age UK’s “On The Edge” Report

Age UK have launched a report: On the Edge: The impact of financial pressures on older Londoners. This unique report goes beyond the figures and statistics to look at the everyday experiences and views of almost 300 older Londoners living on a low income, and how financial pressures affect every area of their lives. London has one of the highest levels of pensioner poverty in the country.  You can read the report here:

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bp-assets/globalassets/london/campaigns/poverty-2025/ageuk_ote_final.pdf

Additional Support – Where can I go?

SKE committee contact: 07955 840281

SKE email contact:  secretary@skeparkinsons.org.uk

SKE website: https://www.skeparkinsons.org.uk/

SKE branch Instagram account so please do start following us at ske.parkinsons

Parkinson’s helpline: 0808 800 0303

Thank you and best wishes.

Your SKE Committee

FREE EVENTS AT SHERWOOD GRANGE - JULY 2025