North West Somerset Parkinson's Support Group


About us:                    


The North West Somerset Support group was set up in 1994 to help those living with Parkinson's and those caring for them in Nailsea, Backwell, Clevedon, Portishead, Yatton and the surrounding areas.  Membership is free to all.


We are part of Parkinson's UK (parkinsons.org.uk), the national Parkinson's support and research charity.


Monthly General Meetings are usually held on the second Saturday of each month from 10.30am to 12.15pm.   These are social gatherings, often with a speaker on a subject of interest or curiosity to be enjoyed by those living with Parkinson's, those who are caring for them, their families and friends.  Tea and coffee and biscuits are served! 


We hold Singalong sessions twice a month to help with loss of voice or with speech problems due to Parkinson's.  


We publish a magazine, "Connections", with information and news - this is available to all members.


For more information about our local group, please call Marie on 01934 742091 or 07800 815262


See below for monthly meetings, singalong, announcements, other information and useful contacts. Please also check nearer the date as some dates may be subject to change.

General Meetings


We look forward to seeing you soon.


Saturday 13th April  10.30 am - 12.00 pm at St Francis Church Hall, Nailsea

A talk and Q&A on Deep Brain Stimulation - Caroline Robbins, Specialist DBS nurse - Movement Disorders Complex Therapies Service.


Saturday 11th May  10.30 am - 12.00 pm at St Francis Church Hall, Nailsea

Somerset Road Safety Officer Steve Greenhalgh will talk about road safety, the older driver and changes to the highway code.


Saturday 8th June  10.30 am - 12.00 pm at St Francis Church Hall, Nailsea

Ability Net talk.



One Off Meetings


Saturday 6th April - 10.00am to 12.30pm.“drop in” Coffee and Cake morning in Yatton Methodist Hall on Saturday 6th April from 10.00am to 12.30pm.  There will be information available and an opportunity to chat and find out what support is available whether you are someone living with Parkinson's or a carer.  All welcome.



Wed 10th April between 9.30 and 12.30 at Portishead Medical Group

Local Area Parkinson's UK Adviser Caroline Craig will be available at Victoria Square, Portishead, Bristol BS20 6AQ

Between 9.30 and 12.30,  10th April  She is contactable via  ccraig@parkinsons.org.uk


Wed 10th April between 2.30 and 4.30pm at Portishead Marina Health Centre

Local Area Parkinson's UK Adviser Caroline Craig will be available at Harbourside Family Practice, Marina Healthcare Centre, 2 Haven View, Portishead, Bristol BS20 7QA. She is contactable via  ccraig@parkinsons.org.uk



Advance Notice: Wednesday 12th June 
Afternoon Garden Party to be held chez Don and Vicki Brewer in Portishead.

WORLD PARKINSON'S DAY

11 APRIL 2024


It's over 200 years since the publication of JAMES PARKINSON'S essay on “The Shaking Palsy”


He was a pioneer not only in medicine but also in his scientific and political interests.


Born on the 11 April 1755 the son of an apothecary and surgeon, James Parkinson studied at the  London Hospital Medical College, qualifying as a surgeon in 1784 at the age of 29. He was also a social reformer and political activist who championed many causes, including universal suffrage and reform of the representation of the people in the House of Commons.

Later in his life he championed other causes such as the welfare of children who worked as apprentices. Research into this neurological disease is still ongoing and with the dedication of medical research “TOGETHER WE CAN BEAT IT”

To register to go on one of the Nailsea walks go to:

bit.ly/nailseawalks24

To sponsor by donating go to: www.justgiving.com/page/puknws2024

that is the page set up by our treasurer Patricia James.


In detail in case you need it:


EXERCISE GROUPS:

The NW Somerset Support Group funds supervision provided in the POWER joint supervisory sessions.

THURSDAY Exercise group:
A Parkinson’s exercise group open to all. Run by physiotherapist Amanda Burroughs at the Scotch Horn Leisure Centre, Nailsea. For information or for Amanda to ring you back, call the Scotch Horn, on 01275 856 965.

POWER “Warrior” Parkinson's Exercise Groups:

Backwell: Mondays 10-12 Cuppa at 11

Portishead: Mondays 10.15-12.00

Tickenham: Mondays  10-12

Yatton: Mondays 10-12 Cuppa at 12

Joint Supervisory Sessions are held at 12.30 - 2.30 at Scotch Horn Leisure Centre, Nailsea, usually on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.

For further info about the POWER exercise groups contact stephenfischer1@googlemail.com
To join one of the POWER groups first contact Amanda Burroughs at the Scotch Horn Leisure Centre on 01275 856 965 by leaving a message for her to ring you back. You will first attend an "Academy" group to learn about the exercises.

WEDNESDAYS Parkinson's Exercise group

Clevedon 11am at the Everyone Active Stadium, Clevedon Town Football Club.  For further info contact:   07825 033741
alistairmacfarlane@everyoneactive.com www.everyoneactive.com


Parkinson’s UK North West Somerset Branch became Parkinson’s UK NW Somerset Support Group on 1st September 2022. The group is run entirely by volunteers and the change to a support group will reduce administrative demands. We are nevertheless keenly seeking more volunteers. We need you for everything from making tea and coffee to becoming a future coordinator to relieve Marie in summer 2023. Please do get in touch with Marie, Pat, or one of the other Support-Group contacts listed below if you can volunteer in any way.

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Please contact Vicki e.g. on vbworldwide@gmail.com or Robert on puknwsmem@gmail.com with any changes to this webpage that are needed.


SPECIALIST ADVICE

Parkinson's UK has a specialist adviser team who can provide information about any aspect of living with Parkinson's, managing symptoms, medication, social care, employment rights, benefits and much more. They can offer emotional support and liaise with health, social care and other local professionals to get you the support you need.

 

Call the Helpline on 0808 800 0303 or email hello@parkinsons.org.uk, the Helpline Advisers will deal with any general enquiries and you will be put in touch with someone in your area if more local knowledge or in depth support is needed. Our particular Local Adviser is Caroline Craig, she is contactable via  ccraig@parkinsons.org.uk




If you haven't already, we would love you to properly join Parkinson's  UK and our local  support group . 

To do that, please email our membership secretary on:  puknwsmem@gmail.com  for joining instructions.


 CONNECTIONS Magazine 

If you would like to have a look at past copies of our Newsletter, Connections, click on the links below or email the membership secretary Robert on puknwsmem@gmail.com  and he will email them to you. 

June/July2023       Aug/Sept2023         Oct/Nov2023       Dec2023/Jan2024       Feb/March 2024      

Useful North West Somerset Support-Group Committee Contacts:

Coordinator: Marie PEARSON 01934 742091 - 07800 815262  pearsonm7014@gmail.com

Treasurer: Pat JAMES 07801 865057  pat.jms1@googlemail.com

Connections Newsletter: Kevin YOUDE  01934 824400 - 07855 936762 Kevin.youde@gmail.com

Publicity: Sally-Ann KODURAND  07966 759950 sally-ann@kodurand.co.uk

Membership Secretary: Robert BROWN 01275 603146 (No messages) - 07751 606670 puknwsmem@gmail.com

Welcome, Badging & IT:  Neil TURP  01275 392954 - 07422 965598   neil.turp@gmail.com

Fundraising: VACANT

Deputy Fundraising: Wendy GIBB 01275 394124 prwgibb@mypostoffice.co.uk

Social / Events Secretary: VACANT

Resources: Richard (Rich) JENKINS 01275 394989 - 07854147895 richbj2@gmail.com

Personal: Joyce JENKINS 01275 394989 richbj2@gmail.com

Secretary and Local Website: Vicki BREWER  vbworldwide@gmail.com

Meet and Greet:  Don BREWER  dvbrewerworld@yahoo.co.uk

Parkinsons UK Network Support Officer    Claire DENBY  07842445020 / 02079633731   cdenby@parkinsons.org.uk 


OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS:

Singalong (NWSomerset) - Pat and Belinda Kington 07779819513, kingtonfamily@btopenworld.com

Parkinson's UK Specialist advice - see above - Caroline Craig etc.

Local NHS Parkinson’s specialist practitioner (Sirona):  Mel FALK  0300 125 5550 Sirona.parkinsons@nhs.net

Local NHS Parkinson’s Specialist practitioner (Sirona): Emily MORRISON 0300 125 5550 Sirona.parkinsons@nhs.net

Parkinson’s UK:-     0808 800 0303 parkinsons.org.uk

Parkinson's UK National membership issues:- see parkinsons.org.uk  > About us > Supporter enquiries 

Parkinson's UK Facebook:-      en-gb.facebook.com/parkinsonsuk/ 

Parkinson's UK Twitter:-           twitter.com/ParkinsonsUK 


Privacy notice:  See page on menu at the top.

Parkinson’s UK is the operating name of the Parkinson’s Disease Society of the United Kingdom. A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales (00948776). Registered office: 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1EJ. A charity registered in England and Wales (2518197) and in Scotland (SC037554).