Feb 2026 Newsletter
- Feb 1
- 3 min read
Dear members and supporters of SKEM,
Wow, what a busy start to the year and with March nearly upon us, where have January and February disappeared to?!
The plans for the World Parkinson’s Day celebration on Saturday 11th April at Sutton Civic Centre Library, 10am – 2pm are coming together a treat, it really should be a cracker of a day, please do come and support us.
So far, the event will feature:
Hospital Radio St. Helier covering the whole event as a live outside broadcast including “live mic”, interviews and playing requests from the attendees.
At least one local MP
Three members of the Movers and Shakers who regularly broadcast an award-winning podcast about living with Parkinson’s. They will be recording a live edition.
At least five senior staff members and others from PUK HQ who will be available to meet, speak and give interviews from a national perspective.
Her Worship the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition and hopefully several councillors.
Stalls, music, exercise demos.
We managed to get the local newspaper to run a piece about the event too – here’s the link to the article:
However, March comes first and there is a lot for you to choose from, I do hope you can join us on Wednesday 4th March at our Bingo Afternoon at St John’s 2.30 – 5.00pm. Along with our regular monthly events like 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.
And, back by popular demand, the Mayor’s Karaoke on 14th March at SUFC, 6.30pm. If you haven’t yet bought your tickets, please email me at chair@skeparkinsons.org.uk and I’ll have the pleasure to arrange them for you.
Also in March, the return of Martin’s Roseberry Manor Support Group on the last Wednesday of the month 10.30 – 12.00pm Roseberry Manor Care Home, 458 Reigate Road, Epsom, KT18 5XA. All sorts of topics are covered. Tea, coffee and biccies supplied
Along with our 9 recurrent exercise classes each month, there’s much to choose from.
We’re working on our new Spring/Summer booklet which will cover our events calendar April to September, there’s much to look forward to over the warmer months – and hopefully less rain!!
Full branch 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
A reminder from me to join our branch Facebook account at SKEM Facebook group which supports the main branch website and is a place where you can find information on upcoming events, reviews of recently held events, fundraising contributions and celebrations along with general help and support.
Latest Silver Bullet Recording
If you would like to catch up on the latest webinar from Silver Bullet covering: "The Brain’s Backup Plan: The Power of Neuroplasticity in Parkinson's" with Dr Rick Helmich, please click on the link below:
UCL Research Recruitment
UCL are looking for recruitment candidates, can you help them? They are developing a therapy approach so that people living with Parkinson’s and their partners, family and friends can have more enjoyable and successful conversations together. If your conversations are affected by Parkinson’s, please consider joining this research. Flyer is attached.
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
