Talking walking football and cakes with Portishead Town Posset Parkies

Parkinson UK held an event to showcase the support available to people living with Parkinson's and their families. One of those activities was an introduction to Walking Football with Posset Parkies.

Vicky Brewer, secretary of North West Somerset Parkinson's Support Group, plays for Posset Parkies: “We, the North West Somerset Parkinson’s UK Support Group, had been trying for almost 2 years to find a local partner to set up a Parkinson’s Walking Football team and eventually succeeded partnering with Portishead Town Football Club.  An open event was held at the club when various people came along to tell us more about PWF and the benefits of getting involved.  The following week we had our first session with a very good turn out and this has been repeated at every Friday morning session since.”

The team is friendly and welcoming to anyone and would love more women to join. “Regarding women’s involvement, the team is predominantly male but there are three women on the team: two of us play alongside our husbands who have Parkinson’s. In my case, I simply went along to the open event to support my husband but accepted the invitation to have a go there and then and was immediately hooked.  I have still never watched a whole football match.”

David, 79, who plays with Clevedon and often plays with Posset Parkies says the team is very welcoming and there are lots of benefits to joining: “Great friendship, no tackling, well refereed and walking football as it should be. We’re a very friendly bunch. We meet for coffee and cakes in the club house.”

To those who have never played before Vicky says, “Participants often make comments such as how it’s the highlight of their week and how much they enjoy the kindness of everyone involved and so on. At every game there are falls, typically 4 or 5 per session.  Instability is common with Parkinson’s but each incident is met with kindness and assistance. After the game we adjourn to the clubhouse for teas/coffee/biscuits with cakes/doughnuts sometimes contributed by members.”

Speaking to coach Nigel Osmond, anyone woman thinking of joining should definitely come along: “We've seen the benefits it’s given. There's reports coming back from our group two, three days after a session, and they all feel a lot better. But also, if you come down after the session you'll see people all sitting down having cake, having a coffee, making friends. Even if you're really suffering, just go down. Even just the odd kick of the ball makes a difference. They went out for a Pub meal last Sunday. They'd never met each other and now they're organising days.”

Nigel has also organised a fun tournament with 12 walking football teams on Saturday 6^th June from 10am at Portishead FC. It should be a great day out for the family with BBQ and treats as well as the walking football of course.

Anyone who would like more information about joining Posset Parkies should contact Nigel on 07854 340099 or Nigel.osmond@hotmail.co.uk.