Last week, participants from the Parkinson’s sessions at Southbury Leisure Centre came together to celebrate the festive season with table tennis, activity, and plenty of Christmas cheer.
The sessions offered far more than a seasonal social. From warm-up activities through to games at the table, followed by plenty of tea, cake, treats and conversation, the afternoon highlighted the very real benefits that regular physical activity, and table tennis in particular, can bring to people living with Parkinson’s.
Table tennis sessions run weekly on Tuesdays led by Sandy Nash and gym-based activity sessions on Fridays by Dominic Hall, creating a balanced programme that supports both physical and social wellbeing. The sessions continue to attract strong and consistent attendance.
The table tennis sessions see 15-20 attendance and focus specifically on coordination, proprioception, balance, and hand-eye coordination, all key areas in helping people manage Parkinson’s and maintain independence in day-to-day life. Similarly, exercise group welcomes participants each week, with activities adapted to individual ability levels by a qualified trainer.
Specific movements are incorporated both at and away from the table, supporting functional movement and everyday tasks. Just as importantly, the informal and welcoming environment encourages social interaction, allowing participants to connect, share experiences, and build confidence together.
The Christmas session was attended by the London Area Manager, Johnathon Driscoll for Table Tennis England, who reflected on the impact of the programme:
“It was a fantastic afternoon to be part of and genuinely inspiring to see everyone fully engaged in the activities. Sandy, Dominic and the volunteers have created a real community through these sessions, and the positive impact on those attending is clear to see. They should be incredibly proud of what they have built. I am a firm believer that sport, particularly table tennis, can be a vehicle to positively change peoples lives and this session is an embodiment of this belief ”
These long-running sessions align closely with Table Tennis England’s recently announced partnership with Parkinson’s UK, which aims to create more opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s to access the sport in supportive and inclusive environments.
To find out more about the inclusive Parkinson’s sessions delivered at Southbury Leisure Centre, visit:
https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/enfield/southbury-leisure-centre/inclusive
If you would like more information on upcoming inclusive opportunities please contact [email protected]
