people with Parkinson’s get active for Spring
Forestry England launches new running campaign to help more
people with Parkinson’s get active for Spring
Forestry England has launched a new physical activity and wellbeing pilot to help
more people with Parkinson’s get active for the Spring in a fun and engaging way.
When: Weekly, starting Friday 2nd May 2025, 10am-12pm
Where: Hamsterley Forest, DL13 3NL (meet by visitor centre)
Whether participants choose to run, jog or walk, the new weekly sessions are
designed to help more people enjoy being active by bringing them closer to
nature.
Supported by Parkinson’s UK and overseen by trained instructors from England
Athletics, the new session is an adapted version of the popular NHS couch to 5k
programme.
Running, jogging, or walking can be a great way to get active with a long term
health condition, including Parkinson’s, and as the weather improves, being
outdoors can also help you to build a connection with nature and improve both
your physical and mental wellbeing.
All ages and abilities are welcome to take part in the sessions and no previous
experience is required. Relatives, carers and family members can also join in, and
participants are welcome to run, jog or walk, with the emphasis on taking things
at your own pace.
Participants are recommended to wear comfortable footwear, sensible outdoor
clothing and to bring a bottle of water for the journey.
Cara Connolly, Area Development Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said:
“Being active can be one of the best ways for people with Parkinson’s to manage
their condition and being out in nature can have many benefits, not only for your
physical health, but also for your mental wellbeing.
“It’s really exciting to see the new partnership with Forestry England and I am
looking forward to working with more members of the local Parkinson’s
community to help them get active in a fun and social way.”
Lucy Brenkley, Active Forests Coordinator at Forestry England, said:
“We are delighted to be working with the teams from Parkinson’s UK and England
Athletics to deliver the new 5k sessions for local people living with Parkinson’s.
“We know that being outdoors and seeing nature can have a big impact on a
person’s wellbeing and we want more people to be able to enjoy their local
surroundings and move together in a fun and social environment.
“Forestry England is here for all our visitors and we want the new sessions to
deliver a mix of physical activity, wellbeing and education for people living with
Parkinson’s, so whether you walk, jog or run on a regular basis, or you’re just
starting to get active with the condition then we’re here for you.”
Spaces for the new 5k sessions are limited, so it is essential to book your place.
For more information about the new project, contact:
● For Forestry England Hamsterley , contact Fran on
ENDS
Media enquiries
For more information please email or or call 0207 963 9370.
Note to editors
About Forestry England
- Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with
over 285 million visits in 2023/24. As England’s largest land manager, we shape
landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and
businesses to grow. We are continuing the work we have already started to make
the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
● create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our
productive forests.
● increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million
hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests.
● plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high-quality woodlands
For more information visit forestryengland.uk. Forestry England is an agency of the
Forestry Commission.
About Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s UK
Parkinson’s is a complex brain condition that gets worse over time. It’s the fastest
growing neurological condition in the world, affecting 153,000 people in the UK. It
has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is
currently no cure.
Parkinson’s UK is the charity that’s here to support every Parkinson’s journey, every
step of the way. Wherever you’re from, whatever you need.
From searching for a cure and campaigning for better health and care, to funding
research into groundbreaking new treatments and running life-changing support
services. It’s all driven by one mission: improving life with Parkinson’s.
See more facts and statistics on the Parkinson’s UK website.
For information and support, you can visit parkinsons.org.uk or call the free,
confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.
