Posted on Monday 3rd February 2025
Victoria Wilson
Council funding helps charity supporting people with Parkinsons
People with Parkinsons in the Cannock Chase area are benefiting from a project thanks to a local voluntary group and funding from the county council.
Chase Parkinson’s Support Group provides a range of help and advice for people with Parkinsons and their families. The group received £500 from Staffordshire County Council’s Local Community Fund to deliver weekly exercise classes for their members. The 45-minute sessions to music are delivered by a Neuro physiotherapist and take place at The Soldiers Ex Servicemen’s Institute in Hednesford on Friday mornings.
Alison Forrest, volunteer at Chase Parkinson’s Support Group, said:
“We’re extremely grateful for the funding and I’d like to thank those councillors who contributed.
“Our exercise classes are one of our most popular activities and make a huge difference to our members. Physical activity can have a really positive effect on symptoms, both physically and mentally. Furthermore, being active can also be as important as medication to help control and manage symptoms. The feedback from our members is always positive and with this extra funding we’re looking to continue our classes into 2025.”
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“Staffordshire has always had a vibrant voluntary and community sector, with hundreds of fantastic groups making a huge difference in their local communities.
“This is a wonderful project that’s helping people with Parkinsons improve their health and wellbeing through exercise and I’m delighted we’ve been able to fund it. One of the aims of the fund is to help people improve their health and wellbeing, so this project is ideal.”
One of the group members Jo added:
“The exercise classes are brilliant. I’ve discovered some great exercises that really suit me and help my condition. As well as during the classes, I can also do them at home which is great.
“Doing the exercises has helped improve my balance, making falls less likely. And as well as the physical benefit, I also feel better in myself and have got to meet and get to know other members with the condition.”
Staffordshire County Council’s Local Community Fund gives all county councillors an allocation of up to £2,500 to spend on community projects in their area. This current fund has now closed and details of future funds will be available on the webpage.