April Newsletter 2025
- emmasear44
- Apr 27
- 12 min read
Updated: Jul 15
Dear Members,
Our first meeting at our new venue is fast approaching.
It’s on Wednesday 7th May 2.30 – 5.00pm (St John’s Church, Northdown Road, Sutton, SM2 6DY) and will commemorate 80 years since VE Day – we hope to see you there!
Our local Parkinson’s Advisor, Marie King along with Alistair Jack, the Regional Lead for London from PUK are coming along too, so it would be an ideal opportunity for you to meet them face to face.
There’ll be music and a quiz from the era, sandwiches and cakes, a raffle plus the first draw of the SKE 100 Club. This location is more central for all our members, so we hope that those of you that haven’t joined us before (perhaps due to the distance of Bourne Hall) might consider popping along to say hello. You’d be very welcome.
Don’t forget to contact Helen on events@skeparkinsons.org.uk to book your places (first come, first served basis) for our trip to Hampton Court Palace with Afternoon Tea on 2nd July AND order your tickets before the deadline of 23rd June to see Fawlty Towers – The Play on 22nd October.
On another matter, the Committee and I have been working with Emma Sear, Hugh Sear’s daughter, on creating a SKE website, the first of it’s kind. We are absolutely delighted with the design – thank you Emma – and are just finalising a few outstanding items prior to launching it. We will let you know when it goes live shortly. Post launch, our monthly newsletters will be shorter and provide you with links to find the relevant information on our site, which we will keep updated. Please be patient with us, there may be some teething issues!
Looking ahead to May, here’s a summary of the events planned - full details can be found below.
May 2025
Friday 2nd & 16th May Sing to Beat Parkinson’s
12 noon Wimbledon Park Hall, SW19
Wednesday 7th May Welcome Meeting at New Venue
2.30 – 5.00pm St John’s Church, Belmont
Friday 9th & 23rd May Group Speech Therapy
1.00 – 1.45pm Studio Room, Bourne Hall
Friday 9th & 23rd May Singing Group
2.00 – 3.30pm Studio Room, Bourne Hall
Tuesday 13th May Carers Coffee
10.30am Café at Bourne Hall
Tuesday 13th May Coffee Morning
10.30am SW19
Wednesday 14th May Parkinsolos Coffee
10.30am Café at Bourne Hall
Wednesday 14th May Tenpin Bowling
7.00 – 9.00pm The Rotunda, Kingston
(Book your place by 1st May please –
more info below)
A little reminder that the Just Giving Page is still open at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ske-parkinsons for the continuation of Group Speech Therapy in 2026. The feedback we’re getting from members is that this is important to you all and whilst 2026 seems a long way off, we all know how quickly the circadian clock ticks! The Just Giving Page closes on 31st May.
And don’t forget to join Easy Fundraising to help raise money for the branch. There are 26 members currently, please can more of you join?
Please note, the generic branch email has changed from ske.parkinsons.info@gmail.com to secretary@skeparkinsons.org.uk
Branch Bank Account Details
Please can I ask members to take a note of our bank account details for all payments going forward, thank you.
Name: Parkinson’s Disease Society of the United Kingdom Sort: 20-00-00 Account Number: 93476758.
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 hope to see you soon.
Arthur
Here’s another opportunity for you to click on the link to see our 2025 Programme of Events
SKE EVENTS IN MAY
Sing to Beat Parkinson’s
Date: Friday 2nd and 16th May
Time: 12 noon
Venue: Wimbledon Park Hall, 170 Arthur Road SW19 8AQ
Cost: £5 Per Person
Sing To Beat Parkinson's will help you manage your Parkinson's symptoms, especially voice volume, clarity and facial expression. It will also lift your mood too! It’s led by Catarina Carvelho who has been trained by the Canterbury Cantata Trust and qualified at Trinity Laban, London’s only Conservatoire of music and contemporary dance in the UK.
Come along and join in! Any questions please contact Valerie on 07801737916 or valerie@skeparkinsons.org.uk.
Welcome Meeting at our New Venue to
Celebrate VE Day
Date: Wednesday 7th May
Time: 2.30 – 5.00pm
Venue: St John’s Church, Northdown Road, Sutton SM2 6DY
Cost: Paid by Branch
We hope to see you at our new venue of St John’s Church in Belmont where we will be celebrating 80 years since VE Day. If you haven’t been to one of our socials before, this is the perfect opportunity to try one out, we’re a friendly bunch of likeminded people who will welcome you with open arms! With the addition of sandwiches, cakes, a raffle plus music and a quiz from the era, what’s not to like?! We will also have the first draw of our new SKE 100 Club. If you haven’t yet signed up, please email 100club@skeparkinsons.org.uk.
Group Speech Therapy
Date: Friday 9th and 23rd May
Time: 1.00pm – 1.45pm
Venue: The Studio, Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell KT17 1UF
Cost: £5 Per Person
Changes in the brain in people with Parkinson’s mean that your movements become smaller and less forceful than before. This can lead to problems with your speech and communication. Issues may relate to making sure your voice is loud enough, making your pronunciation clear enough and getting the right tone to your voice.
This is where this event may be able to help. Katie is a trained speech and language therapist can help you develop strategies and exercises.
Cost for the session is £5 per person (no charge for carers). Payment can be made on the day preferably by card please. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Helen at events@skeparkinsons.org.uk or call 07955 840281.
SKE Singing Group
Date: Friday 9th and 23rd May
Time: 2.00 - 3.30pm
Venue: The Studio, Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell KT17 1UF
Cost: Covered by Branch
On the second and fourth Fridays of every month, after Group Speech Therapy, our SKE Singing Group continues to attract new attendees.
With over 45,000 songs in the library, we’re confident they’ll be many you’ll like. And we take requests too. You do not sing on your own as you would at a normal karaoke session. Singing helps your Parkinson’s symptoms like breath regulation, vocal loudness and respiratory strength. It’s also rather fun. Refreshments are provided.
Carers Coffee Morning
Date: Tuesday 13th May
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Flying Saucer Café, Bourne Hall, Spring Street, KT17 1UF
Cost: Own cost
Our branch carers are important members of our community. This event is tailored to them and is on the second Tuesday of every month. It’s a compassionate environment where you can choose to share or simply listen to others. Give yourself a break and come along.
Coffee Morning at The Woodman Pub
Date: Tuesday 13th May
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Woodman Pub, 222 Durnsford Road, SW19 8DR
Cost: Own cost
Also, on the second Tuesday of every month, this is another sympathetic and understanding event hosted by Valerie and Tracy. Every month it’s a place to come for a catch up with local people just like you. Please contact Valerie on 07801 737916 or email her on valerie@skeparkinsons.org.uk if you’d like to come along or find out more.
Parkinsolos Coffee
Date: Wednesday 14th May
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Flying Saucer Café, Bourne Hall, Spring Street, KT17 1UF
Cost: Own cost
This coffee morning is for our members who live independently with Parkinson’s. Our desire is to bring people together in similar situations so you can build a community, if you’d like to, of course.
If you would like more information or are interested in being included in this group, please contact her on pat.athome@blueyonder.co.uk or contact the info line on 07955 840281.
Tenpin Bowling
Date: Wednesday 14th May
Time: 7.00 – 9.00pm
Venue: The Rotunda, Kingston-upon-Thames KT1 1QJ
Cost: £8 per head
New to the calendar for 2025 is our first Tenpin bowling session in Kingston – the second session is in Tolworth in September. And at only £8 per head, it’s a bargain. Come along and try and get a strike or a spare. If you would like to book your place, please contact Helen by Thursday 1st May on events@skeparkinsons.org.uk or call 07955 840281.
SKE EXERCISE CLASSES
Exercise is an important part of healthy living for everyone. For those with Parkinson’s exercise is more than healthy — it is a vital component to maintaining balance, mobility and activities of daily living.
We have a variety of classes to choose from so why not give one a try at no cost? After that you can claim back 50% of the class cost up to your annual personal allowance except for the one class underwritten by the branch.
Seated Pilates
Date and Time: Mondays at 11.15am
Venue: Zoom
Cost: £7 per session
This is a virtual exercise class. Suki has plenty of experience in dance and exercise. Please contact Suki Turner on suki.turner@icloud.com or 07940 503971.
Use It or Lose It
Date and Time: Mondays at 11:15am-12:15pm
Venue: The Wallis Room, Long Ditton Village Hall, 2 Ewell Road, Long Ditton KT6 5LE
Cost: £4 per session
This class has been taken over by Caroline. She has 15 years’ experience in the leisure industry as a swim teacher and 3 years as a fitness instructor. The classes are fun as well as getting you fit and can be done seated, standing with chair support or free standing. So come along and give it a go. If you are interested in joining or trying out a session for free, please contact Caroline on 07711 161793 or email her on caroline.harrison@moveitorloseit.co.uk. This class is underwritten by the branch.
Strength and Balance
Date and Time: Tuesdays at 11.00am-12.15pm
Venue: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell KT 17 1UF
Cost: £8 per session
Sue has over 30 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is a Level 4 Postural Stability Instructor (Later Life Training) Falls Prevention. She runs a class at Bourne Hall on Tuesday mornings which focuses on strength and balance. This is a class that uses a chair for support and no floor work. People need to be able to self-monitor i.e. sit down when they feel it is too much, sit and stand from a chair steadily and unaided. It would be suitable for those who have mild to moderate Parkinson’s who are high functioning and wish to improve and maintain fitness, strength, posture, balance, confidence and wellbeing. Classes also available on Mon, Wed and Thurs at different venues. See website for details: www.suebfitness.co.uk.
Dance and Movement
Date and Time: Tuesdays at 11:30am – 12.30pm
Venue: 3rd Epsom Scout Hall, Rear of St John Chandler Hall, Church Rd, Epsom KT17 4AB
Cost: In person class £5 per session
Come and join Sally for a fun, sociable class with exercises for coordination, strength, muscle toning and stretching. Sally has over 20 years’ experience teaching fitness and dance. Most of the class is seated with a standing section for those able to stand. A variety of music played from the 60s to present day and plenty of laughter.
£5 per class, pay only when you attend, and the first class is free. If interested or you would like more information, please contact Sally on 07809 674878.
PD Warrior
Date and Time: Class 1 Fridays at 11.30am-12.30pm, Class 2: 12.45 - 13.30pm
Venue: Christ Church Hall, Cheam Road, Ewell KT17 1AD
Cost: £20 per session
This exercise aims to allow and encourage people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease to exercise regularly. It is lead and supervised by Emily Jay a physiotherapist specialising in neurology with over 18 years of experience. If interested, please contact Emily on phone 07968048035 or contact@neurorehabphysio.com.
To find out more about the Neuro Rehab Physio Group that Emily belongs to please visit www.neurorehabphysio.com.
PD Warrior
Dates and Times: Mondays at 10:00am, Wednesdays at 11:00am
Venue: Zoom
Cost: £5 per session
If you are interested and want to find out more, please don’t hesitate to contact Caroline at caroline@mobileneurophysio.com or call her on 07967825699. Caroline also provides 1:1 home visits. This can be a one off to do a review of your home exercise programme or a burst of sessions after a change in your symptoms or hospital admission. The fee depends on where you live, please get in touch for Caroline to provide a competitive rate.
Her website is www.mobileneurophysio.com
Want to find out more about PD Warrior classes – their website is: https://pdwarrior.com/how-to-get-started/
M.E.D.S (Moving, Exercising, Dancing & Socialising)
Date and Time: Tuesdays at 1:30pm-2:30pm
Venue: United Church of St Mark, Great Tattenhams,
KT18 5RD
Cost: £7.50 per session
If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact Lynda at hello@phillomenadanceschool.co.uk or call on 07917 195497.
Dancing with Parkinson’s
Date and Time: Thursdays at 12:00pm-1:15pm
Venue: Wimbledon Guild, Drake House Hall
Cost: £7 per Person
The Wimbledon Guild offers several classes including Dancing with Parkinson’s. For information on all the classes and to book please call 0208 946 0735 or contact activities@wimbledonguild.co.uk
Exercise Class in Merton
Date and Time: Second and fourth Fridays of each month
Venue: Wimbledon Park Hall, 170 Arthur Road SW19 8AQ
Cost: £5 Per Person
The classes will all be seated and will consist of simple, basic but effective exercise with lots of alternatives for anyone with limited movement. The instructor Jeannie will bring soft fitness balls and plans to introduce balloons, sticks (maybe drumsticks!) and light hand weights as the class progresses. If you would like more information, here are her contact details: 07958 744611 or email on Jeanniepft1@aol.com
IN LOCAL NEWS…
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
Our 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…
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.
They believe great care should be a part of every Parkinson’s journey, so they’re launching a major appeal on Wednesday 21st May to raise £9 million 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. More information to follow.
Fighting Fit for 2025
PUK have a few places on their 2025 Fighting Fit residential weekends across the South East. Fighting Fit is a Parkinson’s UK activity group and has been providing residential weekends for active people living with Parkinson's since 2018, to help them live positively with the condition.
The weekends were designed by and are for people who have generally been diagnosed within the last 5 years and are able to take part in fairly rigorous exercise, and are limited to approx 18 people with Parkinson’s at each venue. More details about the weekend and who it is for can be found here: parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/fighting-fit.
Alongside details how much it costs and how to apply. People are welcome to bring along a friend or family member who will also benefit from the weekend too.
The weekend costs £200 for a single room or £370 for a double room, and bursaries are available too.
The weekends run from Friday to Sunday and the three locations confirmed for 2025 are:
· Cookham: 16 to 18 May 2025, CIM Conference Centre, SL6 9QH
· Winchester: 11 to 13 July 2025, Sparsholt Conferences and Events, Sparsholt College, SO21 2NF
· Canterbury: 5 to 7 September 2025, University of Kent, Keynes College CT2 7NP
Past attendees have found the weekend inspiring, informative and motivating and have formed new friendships with people with a similar outlook and interests as themselves.
Priority will be given to applicants from across the South East and have not attended a Fighting Fit event before.
New information booklet: ‘Getting the right healthcare’
Just a reminder about PUK’s new ‘Getting the right healthcare’ booklet which. It can be ordered or downloaded as a PDF.
Interested in Finding out More about Research?
First Steps Programme – Newly Diagnosed?
What is First Steps?
The programme will help you take the first steps in processing your diagnosis, find out what information and support is available, and start living well with Parkinson’s.
First Steps has been developed with people with Parkinson’s and is delivered by volunteer hosts who also live with the condition.
We hope that at the end of the programme you will feel more knowledgeable, supported and positive in facing the future.
A diagnosis of Parkinson's has an impact on family and friends, as well as the person with Parkinson's, so we welcome a family member or friend to take part with you.
If you have been newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you, along with your friends, family and carers, can find out more and book a place on one of our online courses. If you have any questions, please contact firststeps@parkinsons.org.uk.
Additional Support – Where can I go?
SKE committee contact: 07955 840281
SKE email contact: secretary@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
