Parkinson's UK teams up with Walking Football Scotland

Last week, Parkinson’s UK and Walking Football Scotland signed a new agreement at the national stadium Hampden Park. 

The 2 organisations will work together to increase access to walking football sessions for people with Parkinson’s.

Women’s football legend Rose Reilly MBE was on hand to celebrate the deal.

Walking football is a fantastic way to keep active

Interest in walking football has taken off among people living with Parkinson’s in Scotland. Last year saw the Celtic FC Foundation, Glasgow Life and Parkinson’s UK launch a programme of regular sessions in Glasgow.

Amanda McKay, Physical Activity Delivery Manager for Parkinson’s UK in Scotland, commented:

"We’re committing, through this new agreement, to support each other to make it possible for even more people with the condition to try walking football.

"Walking football is a fantastic way to keep active and can help people with Parkinson’s improve their balance, strength and coordination, and boost their physical and mental wellbeing."

Physical, mental and social benefits for people with Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s UK and Walking Football Scotland hope to facilitate new walking football opportunities in different areas, to benefit the growing number of people living with Parkinson’s.

Kenny McLean, President of Walking Football Scotland, commented:

"The slower version of the beautiful game has been around since 2012 and is now enjoyed by around 3,500 men and women throughout Scotland. We know of the physical, mental and social benefits it brings to those participants, so this partnership we are announcing will offer those benefits to people living with Parkinson’s.

"We will provide Parkinson’s UK with specially trained walking football coaches who will deliver sessions around Scotland offering physical activity in a safe environment."

Former international player, Rose Reilly MBE, patron of Walking Football Scotland, added:

"This is a great delight to see Walking Football Scotland in partnership with Parkinson’s UK, enabling more men and women to get involved in physical activity.

"There should never have been any barriers in participating in the things you love to do and I for one fully support these steps to get people back playing football and reaping the many health and social benefits that walking football brings."

New partnership and opportunities welcomed

Brian Carson, who is the Scotland Trustee for Parkinson’s UK and himself plays walking football, welcomed the formal partnership between the charity and Walking Football Scotland.

Brian said:

"Walking football is an important part of my own physical activity regime and helps in managing my condition. Taking part in the sessions provides physical benefits as well as having a positive impact on the mental health of participants through the social aspect of the sessions, and it is fun.

"This agreement between Parkinson‘s UK and Walking Football Scotland is a great opportunity to make this activity and the benefits they provide available to more people with Parkinson’s across Scotland."

Top photo credit: PhotosbyPhilD