Walking football classes for people with Parkinson’s have been relaunched by a Sheffield-based organisation.
After funding from Parkinson’s UK, Community Wellness Services has been able to reintroduce their free sessions at the Leisure United Graves Football Hub to help anybody with Parkinson’s become more active.
Lee Hardy, 36, Community Partnership and Engagement Manager, said: “The first session went incredibly well. Everyone had big smiles on their faces and scored quite a few goals. The main aim is to make sure everyone involved is having fun, gets to have a good kick about and enjoys themselves.
“Walking Football is more than just a game – it’s a chance for people to reclaim a part of themselves, to laugh, to feel included, and to move in a way that works for them.”
The idea for the sessions came about after one of Lee’s rehab clients had tried walking football elsewhere and felt that he couldn’t keep up. This inspired the concept of classes exclusively for people with Parkinson’s to ensure everybody could get involved.
One person who really benefited from these classes was Bernard, a lifelong Manchester United fan, who was diagnosed with the condition in 2017.
His daughter, Helen Corcoran, said:
“During that first session, Dad fell over twice in the first few minutes. He seemed to forget about his symptoms, really go for the ball and toppled over! On one occasion he got back up and ran up and down the pitch to loosen up. I haven’t seen my dad run in years.”
These sessions offer people suffering with Parkinson’s a safe and fun space to exercise and work on their balance and muscle strength.
Councillor Angela Argenzio, chair of the Adult Health and Social Care Committee said: “Doing physical activity is good for anybody at any age but as you get older obviously the needs are different.
“Exercise is so important for us and when you retire and get to an older age, it’s so important that there are forms of exercise that are accessible.”
The classes started on 12 May and aim to continue every Monday.
They’re open to men and women of all fitness levels, as well as carers and partners who can also come along and get involved.