England Athletics announces new partnership with Parkinson’s UK which aims to empower ‘people affected by Parkinson’s to stay active, connected and confident through inclusive running opportunities.’

The new partnership will bring together RunTogether, England Athletics’ nationwide social running programme, with Parkinson’s UK’s specialist knowledge to create ‘welcoming and supportive physical activity opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s and their carers.’

On the announcement of the new partnership, the chair of both England Athletics and Parkinson’s UK, Gary Shaughnessy CBE said: “This is a collaboration which I’m delighted to see is going ahead. As Chair of Parkinson’s UK and Chair of England Athletics, it’s something I’ve been really supportive of – bringing together people with Parkinson’s, along with an extension of the RunTogether programme.”

“Having a neurological condition shouldn’t stop people from feeling that they can benefit from exercise. It’s not about what you can’t do, it’s about what you can do, and for me, that’s the biggest thing about this partnership.”

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, and Parkinson’s UK estimates that around 166,000 people in the UK have the condition, with someone else diagnosed every 20 minutes.

Research shows that ‘regular physical activity can help people with Parkinson’s manage symptoms, improve balance and mobility, and enhance mental wellbeing.’

Staying active is one of the best things someone with Parkinson’s can do. Research has shown the benefits from helping to manage physical symptoms of the condition, right through to the mental and social benefits of running in a group.

“We’re delighted to be starting this partnership with England Athletics to enable so many more people the chance to explore if running is for them in a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment.”

As part of the new partnership, England Athletics delivered a run leader training course for people living with Parkinson’s and their carers in the Forest area at the National Trust’s Kingston Lacy.
The course, which was the first of a series of nationwide courses across England Athletics’ RunTogether network, was run in collaboration with Parkinson’s UK, the National Trust and Forestry England.

In the future, the National Trust and Forestry England will offer a number of their locations as bases for training, which will provide safe spaces for the groups to gather whilst engaging in physical activity.
On the collobration with the National Trust and Forestry England, Shaughnessy said: “I’m absolutely delighted that it’s not just England Athletics and Parkinson’s UK that’ll be part of this programme, it’s also the National Trust, with beautiful scenery and locations like the one we’re in today.”

“The fact that the National Trust are opening up their green spaces but also making a safe place for people such as those with Parkinson's, for whom the challenges of the condition can be very variable.”

To find out more about RunTogether groups supporting people with Parkinson’s, or to learn how to become a Run Leader, visit: https://www.englandathletics.org/runtogether/