Parkinson's UK supports new walking football programme for people with Parkinson's

The English Football League (EFL) and Football Association of Wales (FAW) have launched new walking football programmes for the Parkinson's community with support from Parkinson's UK and Sport Parkinson's. 

We are working with the EFL and the Football Association (FA) in England and the FAW in Wales to help more people living with Parkinson's to get into walking football and lead an active lifestyle with the condition.

Walking football in England

15 football clubs from across the English Football League will receive funding to deliver more Parkinson's-specific walking football sessions for local people living with the condition, with training and delivery support from Parkinson's UK. 

The EFL and FA are sharing £45,000 in new funds to help more clubs deliver walking football sessions. Clubs including Blackburn Rovers FC, Shrewsbury Town FC, Lincoln City FC and Bromley FC will be hosting new sessions to help more people with Parkinson's to enjoy an active lifestyle.

Walking football in Wales

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) and Sport Parkinson's are also helping to deliver more Parkinson's-specific walking football sessions for people living with the condition across the country.

9 walking football hubs from across Wales have been identified to deliver walking football sessions for people living with the condition and funding support will be available to get more projects started.

The aim of the project is for a national network of approved walking football sessions for people living with neurological conditions, including Parkinson's, to enjoy being active in a fun and social way.

Instructors from the Welsh hubs have been given training to better understand the needs of those living with Parkinson's and how to adapt walking football coaching to help more people with neurological conditions to get involved.

How walking football can help people with Parkinson's

Walking football is shown to have many benefits for people living with Parkinson’s including:

  • better cardiovascular health
  • improved bone health
  • better coordination and balance
  • reduced risk of falls or freezing
  • increased concentration and better sleep
  • better fitness generally
  • improved muscle and joint strength
  • more social opportunities and better wellbeing.

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