Funding first for new nationwide Parkinson’s exercise network

Scottish groups share £5m of National Lottery funding

The first Scotland-wide exercise network tailored for people of all ages, ability or stages of Parkinson’s, along with a peer support project for Scots with Macular disease, are amongst those projects today sharing in over £5 million of National Lottery funding.

The money from the National Lottery Community Fund goes to 49 organisations for projects that will improve people’s health and wellbeing and help communities to thrive. See a full list of awards in your area

Parkinson’s UK in Scotland receives £140,417to establish the first Parkinson's Scotland Exercise Network. This will bring together physiotherapists, leisure providers and people with Parkinson’s in areas across Scotland to provide exercise and activity classes specifically tailored for everyone with the condition, regardless of age, ability or stage of Parkinson's.

As Annie Macleod, Director of Parkinson’s UK Scotland explains, exercise plays a huge part in the management of Parkinson’s:

“Parkinson’s UK Scotland is delighted that the National Lottery is supporting our plan to make structured Parkinson’s-specific exercise activities available for everyone in Scotland regardless of their location or stage of Parkinson’s.

“There is no cure for Parkinson’s however, there is growing evidence that structured exercise may slow its progress and people with Parkinson’s tell us that exercise is the single biggest aid to managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This award will enable us to work with partners and develop a network that will broaden access to exercise for people with Parkinson’s everywhere.”

Also sharing in today’s National Lottery windfall is the Macular Society which receives £120,000 towards a peer network of practical and emotional support for people with sight loss, and their friends, family and carers across Scotland.

Welcoming the news, Ruth Paley, Senior Trusts and Philanthropy Officer, The Macular Society, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded this grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in Scotland. Thanks to this significant award, we can expand our peer support network across Scotland, giving more people with macular disease access to our services that can change their lives for the better. Our services help people cope as their sight deteriorates, by learning about practical skills that can help maintain independence and providing emotional support that can reduce loneliness and improve quality of life.”

Announcing today’s funding totalling, £5,602,381, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Director, Neil Ritch, said: “It’s thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players that we are today announcing over £5 million to 49 life-changing projects across Scotland. This funding will make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing. Parkinson’s UK and the Macular Society are great examples of this in action, both delivering projects that will provide Scotland wide emotional and practical support for people with progressive health conditions.”

Last year The National Lottery Community Fund gave out over £36m of National Lottery funding to community projects across Scotland. Over 1291 projects benefited from this, enabling people and communities to bring their ideas to life. To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk