People living with Parkinson’s in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas are being invited to try a new exercise and activity group which is set to help more people get active in a fun and social way.

Organised by registered charity BH Live, with support from Parkinson’s UK, the new active sessions will launch in January 2025 at Littledown Centre, Chaseside, Bournemouth, BH7 7DX. 

The first session is free to join, with further classes then charged at a subsidised rate of £2.50 per person. All ages and abilities are welcome to come along and take part, and relatives and carers are also welcome to watch or join in as well.

Parkinson’s UK has awarded a funding boost of £1,500 from their Physical Activity Grants programme to help BH Live start the new classes. It is hoped that more people living with Parkinson’s in the local area will be able to get active.

Recent research by Parkinson's UK has shown that participating in regular high-intensity exercise, can have a positive impact on an individual’s neuron health. In some cases, it has been shown to slow or reverse the development of symptoms*. 

The exercise classes have been designed to challenge many of the problem areas associated with Parkinson’s, including balance, muscle strength and coordination. BH Live Active’s instructors have been specially trained to deliver classes for anyone living with a neurological condition, such as Parkinson’s.

Other benefits of regular physical activity can include increased confidence, better cognitive function, and improved wellbeing, such as better sleep, reduced anxiety and fatigue.

Littledown is owned by BCP Council and is managed and operated in partnership with BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise.

Viv Galpin, Health and Wellbeing Manager for BH Live, said:

“We are pleased to be working with Parkinson’s UK to encourage those with a Parkinson’s diagnosis to discover how being regularly active can empower them, and help them to manage their symptoms.

“As a condition, Parkinson’s can affect people in many different ways, but with our support and guidance, we aim to help people manage and, in some cases, reduce the impact of their symptoms.

“We also hope that the new sessions will allow more people living locally to meet others who are sharing the same experience of living with Parkinson’s and allow them to get active in a fun and engaging way.”

Roma Hashim, Physical Activity Grants Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said:

“We are delighted to be working with BH Live on their new physical activity project for the local Parkinson’s community.

“We have already seen several new groups launch in the Bournemouth area with resounding success and we hope that BH Live will be the next exercise success story.

“Being active when you live with Parkinson’s can be just as important as getting the right dose of medication - and it’s good fun too.

“Our Physical Activity Grant funding and training for exercise professionals is helping more groups to deliver Parkinson’s-specific sessions for local communities and we hope that more people in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas will be able to get involved.”

If you would like to register for the new classes or find out more about BH Live, contact communityclasses@bhlive.org.uk.

For more information about Littledown’s opening times, facilities, and activities visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown.

More information about BH Live’s health and wellbeing programmes can be found online at bhliveactive.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-activities.