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 from 12 noon on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month and we now have a 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