About
Parkinson's affects people of all ages and social backgrounds. The incidence of Parkinson's increases with age, and is more common in men. However, women and young people of both sexes can also develop the disease. For younger individuals, who may live with the disease for decades, the experience is very different. This is why groups for these particular people with Parkinson's have been formed. In the Horsham area, there are many people who fall into this category. The common factor among them isn't age or working status, but rather an attitude to make the best possible life with Parkinson's for decades to come. We call ourselves the Working Age Group (WAG).
As many people within this group are still working; activities are arranged outside of standard working hours wherever possible. Some of the branch meetings are now scheduled in the evening and/or recorded on the website.
The group was set up by former chair, Tom Dellmann and PD nurse, Stevie Lewis. Click on article for more detail about PD nurses involvement in this initiative.
Since the initial meet up in January 2023 the following have been set up with a particular focus on WAG:
Social Pub Gatherings
One notable yet frequently overlooked advantage of group meetings is the positive impact on individuals' mental well-being. Numerous members have struggled with feelings of isolation and encountered difficulties in finding individuals who genuinely empathise with their challenges. These informal get-togethers are a great way for members to chat and discuss challenges in a relaxed and friendly environment.
It is important to note that these meet ups are always open to all within the branch including partners if they wish to attend.
If you are in two minds about joining, then you will find Mike's account useful.
We have had meetings at several venues in Southwater, most recently at the excellent Southwater Sports Club.
We currently meet at The Black Jug in Horsham:
- 2nd Thursday of each month, from 7pm
- 4th Thursday of each month, from 7pm
Check calendar for updates.