May 2025 Newsletter
- emmasear44
- May 23
- 5 min read
Dear Members,
Firstly, may I thank everyone who came to our first meeting at our new venue of St John’s Church in Belmont to support VE Day. With 64 attendees, including Alistair Jack and Marie King from PUK, it was a total success. Enormous thanks go to Helen, Bev, Mary and Annette for creating such an outstanding event and thanks also to members who offered to assist with a variety of tasks – we couldn’t have done it without you!
The first SKE 100 Club draw took place with my wife Su and I securing first and second places – no, it wasn’t a fiddle! If you’d like to be entered into the 100 Club in the future, please email our vice chair, Hugh on 100club@skeparkinsons.org.uk.
The next event at St John’s is African Drumming at 2.30-5.00pm on Wednesday 4th June. With excellent acoustics in the hall, I hope this will be an auditory delight!
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.
Our first tenpin bowling session on 14th May in Kingston was entertaining – we hope more of you will join us on 17th September in Tolworth.
Please note a JULY date change for the trip to Hampton Court Palace which is now on 9th July. Please contact Helen to book your places (first come, first served basis) on events@skeparkinsons.org.uk. Also, please order your tickets before the deadline of 23rd June to see Fawlty Towers – The Play on 22nd October in Wimbledon.
Our new SKE website is now live, please do check it out at www.skeparkinsons.org.uk as it includes all the information you need. We are over the moon with it and would ask you to share it far and wide if you can.
Looking ahead to June, here’s a summary of the events planned.
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
June 2025
Wednesday 4th June African Drumming
2.30 – 5.00pm St John’s Church, Belmont
Friday 6th & 20th June Sing to Beat Parkinson’s
12 noon Wimbledon Park Hall, SW19
Tuesday 10th June Carers Coffee
10.30am Café at Bourne Hall
Tuesday 10th June Coffee Morning
10.30am SW19
Wednesday 11th June Parkinsolos Coffee
10.30am Café at Bourne Hall
Friday 13th & 27th June Group Speech Therapy
1.00 – 1.45pm Studio Room, Bourne Hall
Friday 13th & 27th June Singing Group
2.00 – 3.30pm Studio Room, Bourne Hall
And finally, if you have 5 minutes to spare, I thoroughly recommend watching this heartwarming video, a project of music, friendship and love: http://walkwithme.team/
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
IN LOCAL NEWS…
Try-Athlon 2025 with Sport Parkinson’s
If you would like to sign up for this event in Twickenham on 22nd June 2025, please click on the link for further information:
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:
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…
Stop, Hang Up, Call 159
If you think someone is trying to trick you into handing over money or personal details, stop, hang up and call 159 to speak directly to your bank. To find out more, please click on this link from Stop Scams UK:
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.
Here's the teaser launched on 12th May:
Fire Prevention and Safeguarding Toolkit
Sutton Council has developed the above to equip all those who encounter people who are at increased risk of fire in their homes with the knowledge and understanding they need to help prevent fatal or serious fire incidents.
Find out more at: https://www.firepreventiontoolkit.org.uk/
Interested in Finding out More about Research?
network! here
Newly Diagnosed?
Find out more about PUK’s First Steps Programme here:
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
