Ashby and Coalville Leisure Centres offer deals as part of Parkinson’s Awareness Month

By The View, North West Leicestershire

FREE gym memberships are being offered by local leisure centres to people living with Parkinson's.

Ashby Leisure Centre and Lido and Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre - run by award-winning operator Everyone Active in partnership with North West Leicestershire District Council - offer the initiative co-designed with the charity Parkinson’s UK.

Now in its fifth year, the Everyone Active and Parkinson’s UK free membership provides access to gym, swim and group exercise, as well as online Synergy Dance classes.

A free membership will also be given to up to three carers to provide additional support if needed.

Everyone Active supports 85 individuals in North West Leicestershire with Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological condition that has no cure. Parkinson’s Awareness Month is currently taking place during the month of April.

Parkinson’s affects around 166,000 people in the UK and there are more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.

Being physically active can play an important role in living well with Parkinson’s.

Those living with the condition can find various activities, such as swimming, walking and dance, beneficial in managing their symptoms.

Alasdair Maclean, 63, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s two years ago and has been utilising the membership at Ashby Leisure Centre and Lido since then.

He said: “My diagnosis was a huge shock but I was determined to not let it affect me too much. I was delighted to find that Everyone Active offer free membership and it is such a boost to be able to go to the gym whenever I want.

“Two years on and my Parkinson’s is not obviously deteriorating and I’m sure my 45 minutes of ‘strenuous’ exercise four or five times a week is helping that enormously.”

Duncan Gibb, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are immensely proud to be partnering with Parkinson’s UK for the fifth year running, and truly believe the membership makes a real difference to the lives of those living with the condition and their carers.

“We want to provide a safe and welcoming environment where the whole Parkinson’s community feel supported as they exercise, and are confident we have an activity for all, no matter what your age, ability or fitness level.”

Tom Ingram, corporate partnerships lead at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Everyone Active, who have very generously offered complimentary membership for people living with Parkinson’s and their carers.

“Being physically active is important for everyone. It supports both physical and mental health and depending on what you choose, can provide social support and interaction, all of which can really help people living with Parkinson’s and those providing informal care.

“Developing a regular physical activity habit can make a person feel more in control when living with the condition. Quality of life can be enhanced and independence and confidence maintained. We hope that with the support of Everyone Active, the Parkinson’s community can enjoy physical activity and use it to make a real difference to their lives.”

• For further information or to join, visit HERE.

Those with underlying health conditions such as heart problems, diabetes or breathing issues should contact their GP before starting any new activity.