There are now some virtual classes being run on Facebook by Parkinson’s UK - look at Parkinson’s UK Physical
Activity and Exercise page, you’ll need to ask to join as it’s a closed group and also look at Parkinson’s
UK page. The classes are then going on to the Parkinson’s UK YouTube page. I wasn’t aware of either
of these existing so I’ve learnt something new to pass on to everyone I now meet!
We’ve
also
had
a
message
from
our
Specialist
Speech
and
Language
Therapist
Natalie
Mincher-
Lockett:
Hi everyone
Firstly
I
do
so
hope
you
are
all
keeping
safe
and
keeping
well.
How
much
things
have
changed
in
such
a
short
space
of
time.
It
all
feels
a
little
like
a
dream
doesn’t
it?!
I
don’t
know
about
you
all,
but
I
certainly
miss
seeing
others
and
seeing
you
all
in
the
group.
I’m
also
anxious
that
we
maintain
our
speech
and
don’t
forget
our
KEEP
LOUD
moto!
Although,
I’m
not
sure
this
would
ever
happen
given
how
much
I
nag you all!!!
With
this
in
mind,
we
have
started
a
virtual
group
online
through
Zoom.
They
have
been
very
successful,
rather
fun
and
have
been
much
easier
than
we
expected
-
so
please
don’t
be
put
off!
I
would
be
more
than
happy
to
talk
people
through
it
and
even
have
little
practise
runs
with
people
if
needed.
If
you
would
like
to
be
part
of
this
group
then
please
just
let
me
know.
If
you
could
either
email
me
on
natalie@speechadvance.co.uk
or
text
on
07980260234
to
express
your
interest,
let
me
know
your
mobile
number
and
email
address
and
give
consent
for
me
to
contact
you
that
would
be
brilliant.
Once
I
have people’s details, I can then give them instructions of how to access the group.
Our
next
group
is
on
Thursday
14
May
at
2pm.
If
you
have
any
queries
or
need
any
more
information
please
don’t
hesitate
to
contact
me.
So
looking
forward
to
seeing
you
all!
In
the
meantime
keep
safe
and keep well and most definitely KEEP LOUD!!
Staying at home and managing your mental health
We've been told to stay at home. And it's natural to feel worried, concerned about friends or family, or anxious
about how your medical care might be affected. Parkinsons’ UK have shared some tips and ideas for looking after
your mental wellbeing while you're staying at home:
1
.
Keep in touch with people any way you can
It’s important to stay connected with family, friends and essential services as much as you can.
Try
to
schedule
contact
with
others
into
your
daily
routine,
so
you
speak
to
at
least
one
person
each
day.
Hold video chats with friends so you can see people as well as hearing their voices.
Don’t
be
afraid
to
ask
family,
friends,
or
neighbours
to
give
you
a
call.
If
you
can’t
speak
to
someone
you
know, the Parkinson’s UK helpline (0808 800 0303) can offer emotional support.
Online
forums
can
help
keep
you
connected
with
other
people.
You
can
join
the
Parkinson’s
UK
forum
and
start chatting to people who know what you're going through.
2.
Plan a routine
Think
about
your
normal
daily
routine
and
stick
to
it
as
much
as
possible.
For
example,
try
to
get
up
and
dressed,
eat
and
exercise
at
the
same
time
each
day.
Keeping
to
a
routine
maintains
a
sense
of
normality.
It
can also help you keep busy and distract you from thinking too much about other things.
3.
Be aware of where you're getting your information from and how much you're checking news
We
can
now
get
continuous
news
and
information
from
lots
of
different
places.
You
might
find
some
content
worrying, overwhelming or in some cases misleading, so it is important to be mindful of this.
