ParkinsonsUKreigate
Aiming to support individuals with Parkinson's
Activities
The Reigate Parkinsons Group is affiliated to Parkinson’s UK and is organised and run by a Committee of dedicated volunteers. Through its own fundraising, the Branch provides a wide range of activities to support those living with Parkinson’s in the Reigate area and their families and friends.
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We provide three important elements which Parkinson’s consultants advise are vital for all people who have Parkinson’s to do:
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Stay physically active
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Stay mentally active
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Stay socially active
​Monthly meetings
We have monthly meetings on the third Thursday of every month from 2pm to 3:30pm except for January, July, August and December (Christmas Lunch replaces meeting)!
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At these meetings there may be a guest speaker or a topic of conversation and we try and make them interesting by discussing how we can increase physical, mental and social well being.
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They are held at the Woodhatch Centre, Whitebeam Drive, Reigate RH2 7LS. Come along and if it's your first time look out for one of the volunteers whose photographs you'll see on the homepage. We will be happy to welcome you!
Choir
Joining our choir is a fantastic way to enhance your vocal abilities. It helps you develop breathing control, which leads to better vocal projection and reduced strain. Additionally, it involves using facial muscles to learn deep breathing techniques, allowing for greater expression. Furthermore, participating in the choir fosters new connections with other members of the branch.
The cost of participation has been free to date but we will probably have to start making a small charge as do other activities already.
Our Choir Director is Roger Hind, and we meet monthly on the second Monday of each month at the Woodhatch Centre between 2pm and 4pm. For more information contact David Wallbank david@parkinsonsukreigate.org.
Exercise Classes
Exercise is an important part of healthy living for everyone. For those with Parkinson’s disease (PD), exercise is more than healthy — it is a vital component to maintaining balance, mobility and activities of daily living. Research shows that exercise and physical activity can not only maintain and improve mobility, flexibility and balance but also ease non-motor PD symptoms such as depression or constipation. We run two exercise classes. The mobility class is quite active and led by Kate Galloway (Physiotherapist) and meets weekly on a Friday morning 10am to 11am. The Extend class is a seated class for the less able on a Tuesday afternoon 2.15pm to 3.15pm. Both classes last for 1 hour at £5 each and are held at the Woodhatch Centre. For more information:
Mobility Class - contact Pam Rodger on 01883 345924 , or email ianrodger34@hotmail.com
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Extend Class - contact Margaret Monnery email margaretmonnery@gmail.com
Golf
Held at Bletchingly golf course this lesson based golfing experience is held every two weeks and is run by an experienced golf professional. It's a great way of improving your game and meeting new people. Bletchingley Golf Club, Church Lane, Bletchingley RH1 4LP
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Ian Beaumont
07766 448095
Loud Crowd and Communication Group
This activity is designed to help people with their speech and swallowing which are areas which Parkinson's can affect. The Loud Crowd is a peer-led speech therapy group coordinated by Andrea Dobbs (NHS Speech & Language Therapist) & Jill Woods (group member). To attend, patients need to first have speech therapy with the First Community Health and Care team (covering East Surrey). You can be referred to this team through your GP, Parkinson’s Nurse, Neurologist or self-referral. The group meets monthly on the last Wednesday at the Woodhatch Centre.
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The Communication Group is a six week course of group speech therapy held twice a year coordinated by Andrea. Referral details are the same as for the Loud Crowd.
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​Our sister branch at Horsham also has Group speech therapy sessions. They will be held at Mannnings Heath Village Hall, Golding Lane, Mannings Heath, Horsham, RH13 6JU on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 1:30pm to 3pm starting on 5th March 2025, at a cost of just £5 per session.