PEOPLE in Carmarthenshire who are living with Parkinson’s or have a connection to the condition are invited to join a new local support group in Llandeilo to meet, socialise and get together with other people affected.
The group will initially offer peer support and it will be an opportunity to have a cup of tea and a chat with others who are living with Parkinson’s in the local area. Over time, the group will aim to offer physical activity sessions, invite guest speakers and organise informative events.
Parkinson’s is on the rise. In the UK today, someone is diagnosed every 20 minutes. Around 166,000 people have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s in the UK, including around 8,300 in Wales. There are more than 40 symptoms, including tremor, rigidity and anxiety.
The group will meet on Monday, September 15 at The White Hart (in the Raven Room), 36 Carmarthen Road, Llandeilo, SA19 6RS between 2pm – 4pm. Then the meetings will continue on a monthly basis.
In addition to the new group in Llandeilo, Parkinson’s UK Cymru already has established support groups or cafes who meet on a monthly basis in Llanelli, Crosshands and Carmarthen.
Mandy Howells, volunteer coordinator for the Llandeilo Support Group said: “Although we have Llanelli, Crosshands and Carmarthen groups up and running, there still seems to be a need for a group in the Llandeilo area.
“I have a lot of phone enquiries from people in this rural area and I felt that it was important to reach out so that no-one would ever feel too isolated in their own community.”
Rebecca Lydon, community development coordinator for south Wales at Parkinson’s UK Cymru, added: “Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s can be a shock and adapting to life with the condition can be hard for the person involved and their loved ones too.
“But we know that getting the right information and support at the right time can make all the difference.
“That’s why our local groups and networks have an important part to play for people in Llandeilo and across Carmarthenshire.
“It is vital that we can support everyone affected by Parkinson’s, so that together, we can move towards everyone with the condition feeling empowered to take back control of their life with Parkinson’s.”
For more information about the new support group in Llandeilo, please contact Rebecca Lydon at [email protected] or Mandy Howells [email protected].
