Jan 2026 Newsletter

Dear members and supporters of SKEM,

Welcome to 2026 – a year which will include the Winter Olympics and Paralympics next month in Italy, the football World Cup in June/July in North America and, much closer to home, our own World Parkinson’s Day celebration on Saturday 11^th April at Sutton Civic Centre Library, 10am – 2pm.

If anyone:

1. Can offer to help at this event I’d be really grateful.

2. Has any contacts who might like to have a stall at this event, please let me know.

3. Has any other content ideas for the day, please do get in touch.

Your committee is already working hard on this and are always open to discuss your suggestions.

Our regular monthly events will continue eg: Group Speech Therapy, Singing Groups at two locations (Bourne Hall and Wimbledon Park Hall) and three separate monthly coffee mornings for our Branch carers, people living on their own with Parkinson’s (Parkinsolos) and coffees (or teas) in SW19 each month too!

And don’t forget Martin’s Roseberry Manor Support Group on the last Wednesday of each month 10.30 – 12.00pm Roseberry Manor Care Home, 458 Reigate Road, Epsom, KT18 5XA. All sorts of events go on

here….even just a social chat. Tea, coffee and biccies supplied  

Along with our 9 recurrent exercise classes each month, there’s much to choose from. 

February kicks off at 2.30pm at St John’s Church Hall with a Tai Chi taster session with Vicky.  Personally, I find this class calms my busy mind, so why not give it a try! 

Then on March 4^th, get your dabbers ready for an entertaining bingo afternoon.  So, 29 (rise and shine) and 32 (buckle your shoe) and come to St John’s, no need to 4 (knock at the door) and we’ll have 83 (time for tea) and 41 (time for fun)!!

Mayor’s Events

Additional to our branch events don’t forget the Mayor’s events this year too.  I hope you’ve seen my earlier Chairman’s Note about the Karaoke, please do come and support this popular event.

Karaoke Night 14th March 2026: Sutton United Football Club

Bowls Night 15th April 2026       : Sutton Bowling Club

May I ask again for assistance with sourcing raffle prizes for the Mayor of Sutton’s events. A substantial percentage of the money raised at these events comes from the raffles where our aim is to have valuable prizes.  I appreciate that finances are tight, your time is precious, however, all donations are gratefully received.  I re-attach the Letter of Authority from the Mayor’s office to assist you.

Many thanks 

Do you Play a Musical Instrument?

Do you find it more challenging to play your musical instrument with Parkinson’s?

Do you miss playing music with other people?

We would like to start a new initiative at the Branch. Some of our musical members would like to get together with others perhaps once a month to play and enjoy music.

If this is something that would interest you or you would like more information then please contact Helen on events@skeparkinsons.org.uk or leave a message on our information line 07955 840281.

Branch Facebook Page

Did you know the branch now has a Facebook account SKEM Facebook group!

The group supports the main branch website, and we want this to be a place where members and the local community affected by Parkinson's, can find information on upcoming events, reviews of recently held events, fundraising contributions and celebrations along with general help and support.

We welcome you to join and follow along, or get involved to share your stories and experiences, and get to know the community, the branch and its members.

New Parkinson’s Coffee Meet Up in Kingston

Come and join PUK at the launch of a new coffee meet up on 2.30pm on 29^th January at Sherwood Grange care home in Kingston Vale.  It’s an informal session with an opportunity to meet other people with Parkinson’s, family and friends too.  Complementary refreshments too!

The address is Sherwood Grange Care Home, 1a Robin Hood Lane, SW15 3PU.  For more information, please contact southlondon@parkinsons.org.uk

PUK Local Advisors

We have two PUK Local Advisors covering our branch:

Marie King covers Sutton, Kingston and Merton.  Her email address is mking@parkinsons.org.uk

Jill Beaumont covers Epsom.  Her email address is jbeaumont@parkinsons.org.uk

I hope to see you all soon.

With warm wishes

Arthur 

Autumn 2025 / Winter 2026

Hello Everyone…..well, what can I say, what a super 6 months it’s been for the Branch! My enormous thanks to the support of the Committee, which is now 12 strong – I simply couldn’t have done it without you. I’ve been on many Committees in my time and this is the best one I’ve ever had the good fortune to work with, thank you all.

I’d also like to thank the additional help which has been offered by non-Committee members too, your assistance is gratefully appreciated and continues to help us connect with people living with Parkinson’s locally. If you think you can offer some of your time, please do get in touch with Mary at mary@skeparkinsons.org.uk, thank you.

Our Branch events over the next 6 months are not to be missed. Later this year we have specialist speakers from the law firm Parfitt & Creswell, Hubs Mobility and Sue Mills from PUK will be returning to talk to us about the gizmos and gadgets which can help us day to day. Plus our Christmas Dinner on Wednesday 17 th December too. It’s going to be a cracker!

2026 begins with the new year lunch on Wednesday 14 th January, Tai Chi presentation in Feb and a bingo afternoon in March. And don’t forget our regular monthly events too – please read on to find out more information. I am delighted to announce that for the second consecutive year, we have had the good fortune and honour of being selected as one of the Mayor of Sutton’s charities along with Sutton Women’s Centre. This is such a

privilege as the additional funds raised will help the Branch retain the level of events/exercise classes currently offered (cost to Branch approx. £20k). Last year we banked over £11,000 from the Mayor’s events. We are already discussing with the Mayor’s Committee about a variety of Mayoral events, which are of course additional to our own – already confirmed are:

• Silent Disco 8th November 2025 at Sutton Community Dance

• Race Night on 22 nd November 2025 at SUFC

• Karaoke Night 14 th March 2026 at SUFC

  
  

Other Mayoral events in the boiling pot are a Halloween children’s trail, Burns night, musical bingo, quizzes and gala dinners, we’ll keep you posted.

It’s going to be another busy year! Your support for all Branch and Mayoral events would be greatly appreciated, thank you. And I haven’t mentioned World Parkinson’s Day on Saturday 11 th April next year yet! Sutton Council have agreed a motion to host a Parkinson’s awareness event at the Civic Offices, featuring keynote speakers, PUK

representatives, information stands and opportunities for residents to engage and learn. To find out more, please look at the latest news section on our website at www.skeparkinsons.org.uk.

Thank you, Martin, for running the Rosebery Manor Support Group which is at 10.30am on the last Wednesday of the month at 458 Reigate Road,

Epsom KT18 5XA. All things Parkinson’s related are discussed so please do come along and support him at this informal coffee/tea meet up. Malden Manor Bowls Club needs a special mention too. We are delighted and privileged to have been selected as their nominated charity for the coming year. Our thanks go to the President Mrs Lynda Padgham and all the members.

I believe that raising awareness is crucial, especially as the new figures from Parkinson’s UK state that Parkinson’s is on the rise. In the UK today, someone is diagnosed every 20 minutes. And due to our growing and ageing population, it's expected that 1 in 37 people will be diagnosed with Parkinson's in their lifetime. With that in mind, it’s important for me/us to open new dialogues locally, here’s a list of presentations/talks I’ve given, there are more lined up in the future!

• 03.04.25 : Sutton Carers Centre

• 24.04.25 : Hackbridge, St. Helier & The Wrythe local Committee (Sutton)

• 22.07.25 : Sherwood Grange, Care Home. Kingston

• 23.07.25 : Galsworthy House. Care Home. Kingston.

• 28.07.25 : Attended cheque presentation (24/25) in Mayor’s parlour.

• 31.07.25 : African & Caribbean Heritage Association

• 06.08.25 : Sutton Women’s Centre meeting Mayor’s charity partners on Council resolves to:​

● Partner with Parkinson’s UK to mark World Parkinson’s Day on 11th  April

● Host a Parkinson’s Awareness Day event at the Civic Offices, featuring keynote speakers, Parkinson’s UK representatives, information stands, and opportunities for residents to engage and learn

● Promote the event widely via council websites, social media, and local networks to maximise community awareness and participation

● Encourage councillors and council staff to attend and support the event, affirming the Council’s commitment to health inclusion and public education

Thank you for taking the time to read my note here

Don’t forget our exercise classes too, with our continuing subsidy of 50%

off the class cost up to £100 per person annually, we encourage you to

give one a try.

Looking forward to seeing you at one of the many events ahead soon.

Warmest wishes,

Arthur

A Little Bit of Fun!

How do you follow Will Smith in the snow?

You follow the fresh prints.

My wife is really mad at the fact that I have no sense of direction.

So, I packed up my stuff and right.

I stayed up all night wondering where the sun went?

Then it dawned on me.