People living with Parkinson’s from across Essex are invited to join a social Bat and Chat table tennis class which is now available in Harlow.
Supported by grant funding and instructor training from Parkinson’s UK, the Harlow Bat and Chat table tennis classes are held every Friday from 2pm to 4pm at the Norman Booth Centre, Elderfield, Mulberry Green, Harlow, CM17 0EY. Classes cost £5 per person and all equipment is provided.
All ages, abilities and stages of Parkinson’s diagnosis are welcome to take part, and relatives and carers are also welcome to watch or participate with loved ones. Tea and coffee is served midway through the session and everyone is welcome to stay afterwards for a chat.
No previous experience of playing table tennis is required and the class is held at an accessible venue. Participants are recommended to bring a bottle of water, wear activewear and sensible footwear.
Sandy Nash, volunteer and Parkinson’s table tennis coach at the Harlow Bat and Chat sessions, said:
“Pauline Jones, a successful English Parkinson’s table tennis player, founded the group in Harlow as a trial monthly session. It was quickly realised that there was demand for a more regular group.
“I was delighted to be asked to get involved as I have coached Parkinson’s table tennis players for a couple of years and witnessed the tremendous benefits both physically and socially.
“Securing a weekly slot at the venue means we now have first class facilities and the space to offer a friendly table tennis ‘bat and chat’ session to more people with Parkinson’s.
“We look forward to meeting anybody who’d like to come and give table tennis a try. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never picked up a bat before, as we’re here to help.”
Roma Hashim, Physical Activity Grants Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said:
“We are delighted to be working with Sandy and the Harlow Bat and Chat group to deliver more table tennis sessions for the local Parkinson’s community in Essex.
“Table tennis can be a great, accessible way for people living with Parkinson’s to get into physical activity, plus it’s really fun and social. We hope even more people living locally can take advantage of the group.”
