Online support group offers vital insight on how to cope

Programme can help to deal with symptoms

A national charity is encouraging those living with Parkinson’s of working age in Monklands to join an online event.

Parkinson’s UK Scotland is encouraging under- 65s with Parkinson’s in NHS Lanarkshire to meet with others and find out more about living well with the condition.

A free online event is being held this month.

The Scotland- wide activity is open to people with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

Partners, adult family members or friends are also welcome.

Informative drop- in sessions covering a range of topics, all run flexibly, will run over the next couple of weeks.

Many of the sessions will be led by people with Parkinson’s and their partners, who developed the programme based on their experiences of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at a younger age.

Session topics will include Parkinson’s and employment, financial benefits, Parkinson’s research, medication, and navigating the health service.

There will be opportunities to share hints and tips and find out about the support that partners, family members and friends can access.

The varied programme also features opportunities to try out activities that many people with Parkinson’s find helpful to manage symptoms, from singing and mindfulness to drumming, exercise and more.

David Allan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 50 in 2011 and is one of the volunteers with Parkinson’s hosting the event.

He said: “If you’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s while you’re of working age, your concerns are likely to be about more than health. You might worry about your personal relationships, children, work, keeping a roof over your head and paying the bills, and what the future will hold.

“It can be a very isolating place to be.

“Our Younger Parkinson’s Event is an opportunity to meet others in a similar situation in Scotland and try something new.

“As people who live with Parkinson’s every day, we know what it’s like to be told you have Parkinson’s and to try and make sense of what that means.

“We want this to be a friendly and welcoming experience for everyone who joins in, wherever you live in Scotland and however long you have lived with Parkinson’s.”

Chloe Macmillan, area development manager for Parkinson’s UK Scotland said: “Parkinson’s affects people of all ages, and we know that there are around 1800 people under 65 who’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s in Scotland, with over 200 of them spread across NHS

Lanarkshire.

“People with Parkinson’s have told us that their symptoms and wellbeing have got a lot worse during the pandemic, and some people have had NHS consultations cancelled or delayed.

“Now more than ever, we want younger people with Parkinson’s to know that they are not on their own, and find out more about things that can help.

“Our face- to- face events are always oversubscribed, and attendees have told us that having information about Parkinson’s and things that can help with day to day life is invaluable.

“Meeting other people facing similar challenges, concerns and opportunities can make a massive difference, and we hope this online event will be as helpful in these difficult times.”

For further details and to request a booking form, contact Chloe on 0300 123 3679 or at scotland@ parkinsons.org.uk

Volunteer David Allan helps out with the charity