In a collaboration between Parkinson’s UK and the Walking Football Association (WFA), a groundbreaking pilot programme is revolutionising the lives of individuals battling Parkinson’s disease across England.
As anticipation builds for the start of Euro 2024, football fans living with Parkinson’s have been reaping the benefits of participating in accessible walking football, enhancing their quality of life while tackling the challenges of the condition head-on.
Since its inception in February 2023, this initiative has provided substantial grant funding, totalling nearly £6,000, to 15 football clubs and grassroots teams nationwide. The aim? To facilitate the launch of walking football projects, fostering inclusivity and encouraging more individuals with Parkinson’s to embrace an active lifestyle in a supportive and enjoyable environment.
The impact has been profound, with over 100 new participants joining the ranks of Parkinson’s walking footballers. With the backing of Parkinson’s UK and the WFA, the vision is to extend the programme to an even wider audience in the future.
Walking football events, tournaments and challenges also continue to grow in popularity with the Parkinson’s community at a national and international level.
Since receiving funding from Parkinson’s UK’s Physical Activity Innovation Fund in 2023, the Walking Football Association has witnessed a remarkable surge in interest, with an increasing number of clubs eager to partake in this transformative sport across England.
Tim Morton, Parkinson’s UK’s Physical Activity Programme Lead said, “We are delighted to be continuing our work with the Walking Football Association and we hope that even more people living with Parkinson’s will be able to try the sport and live well with the condition.
“Walking football is not just about being physically active, it can also have many social benefits for participants. Being active is so important for people with Parkinson’s as it can help manage symptoms, maintain health and lift your mood.
“It can make you feel good inside and out. The more physically active you are, the easier it is to live well with Parkinson’s.”
Stuart Langworthy, England Team Manager for Over 60s Walking Football at the Walking Football Association, echoed these sentiments, lauding the overwhelming response from the Parkinson’s community and expressing gratitude towards Parkinson’s UK for their instrumental support.
Annie Booth, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2022, shared her personal journey of resilience and triumph through walking football. “I was 54, I had Parkinson’s and in a bid to manage my condition-induced apathy, it was time to try something new” she said.
“Keeping active was always my way to fight the ‘apathy beast’ but it was becoming more challenging to do it on my own, that was until I found out about walking football.
“Being part of a new team at Northern Lights Walking Football was something special and I will always be grateful to those who encouraged me to keep trying. In July 2022, I was the first woman to be selected for the England Parkinson’s Walking Football team.”
To learn more about the benefits of walking football and discover your local Parkinson’s team, visit thewfa.co.uk.
