Parkinson's Group

The CHEER Parkinson’s Group meets every Monday (except public holidays) at the Claygate Centre for the Community.  

The environment is one of support and understanding, but also having fun, where participants can meet other people with Parkinson’s to share their experiences and tips for living with the disease.  Often participants not only provide a listening ear to each other but come up with practical ideas and solutions that they can benefit from.

Participation in the group provides:

  • Social, physical, emotional and psychological benefits for the individual participants
  • Support for carers and a break from caring responsibilities.
  • An exchange of useful information, and access to people who can help with benefits.

A typical meeting will start with a drink and a chat to catch up with each others’ news followed by chair-based exercises which benefit participants with stretching, increasing their circulation and strengthening.

At lunch time, the group also benefits from access to a good value meal, and the Centre kitchen will support the clients with their dietary requirements such as a soft diet when needed.

During the afternoon session the emphasis is on using the voice and memory, with singing, reading poetry, reading and writing limericks, playing games, reminiscing about the past, and discussing current affairs. Voice and facial exercises are also carried out.

A Parkinson’s UK support worker attends the group from time to time to give advice about benefits and where extra support may be available.

There is also advice on benefits such as Attendance Allowance available through CHEER, which can help in completing the necessary forms.

The CHEER Parkinson’s group stems from an initiative in 2012 by the then Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor Barry Cheyne, who appointed Parkinson’s UK as Mayoral Charity, with the aim of setting up additional support group in Claygate, alongside an existing group at Weybridge, thus ensuring support services operation across Elmbridge.  

The money raised during Councillor Cheyne's mayoral year enabled a highly successful Parkinson’s Support Group to be established at the Claygate Centre for the Community, and also the Group at the Weybridge Centre to be maintained. From 1st April 2017, CHEER took over the responsibility for administering the Claygate group from Parkinson's UK

The group is led by Martin Jancar and Janette Hudson.

To ensure high standards, the number of participants is limited, and there is currently a waiting list to join.

However, if you know of anyone who could benefit from membership of the group, or would like to know more about its work, please contact Martin Jancar via the CHEER office.

Contact us

Address for correspondence:

CHEER
Claygate Centre
Elm Road, Claygate
Surrey,
KT10 0EH

Telephone:

Amanda Swinchin Rew - 07732 310907

Irene Belcher - 07831 666109

Charlotte Chatwin - 07395 940282

Charity number 1133482.
Company Registered in England & Wales number 7102376.

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