Stockport Parkinson's Disease Society Indoor Bowling Club
lots of people with Parkinson's don't leave their homes much. The club gets them out exercising, and it's very social and light-hearted
National Lottery Good Causes Awards - Stockport Parkinson's Disease Society Indoor Bowling Club is one of 10 Lottery-funded projects in the Best Health Project category of this year's National Lottery Awards, in association with FemaleFirst.co.uk
Indoor bowling isn’t exactly the kind of sport that makes you break out in a sweat. But, during a two-hour session you can end up walking nearly a mile, says Ian Anderson, who started the bowling club in October 2008 for people with Parkinson’s and other illnesses.
The club was set up because Ian felt that there was very little recognition by the public of Parkinson’s Disease, and as a result, help was often not forthcoming. The club established a way to do something positive to help raise awareness of the illness, whilst helping sufferers, carers and relatives at the same time.
Lottery funding enabled the project to buy all the equipment needed to start the club, including mats, lane fenders and the bowls themselves. Those taking part in the bowling include members of Stockport’s branch of the Parkinson’s Society, and other local residents with Parkinson’s. In fact, the club has been such a success that they have had to buy extra equipment to cope with growing demand, as people with other disabilities have also been keen to take part.
The therapeutic benefits of bowling are substantial: not only does it stretch arm, back and leg muscles, but it provides vital social interaction for many people who rarely leave their homes. For many members, the session is "the highlight of their week," Ian says as "lots of people with Parkinson’s don’t leave their homes much. The club gets them out exercising, and it’s very social and light-hearted." It’s also benefiting carers and relatives, who get a few hours’ rest while their loved ones enjoy themselves
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