The Parkinson’s Disease Society (PDS)

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, neurological disorder. It results from the loss of the chemical dopamine within the brain. It affects movements such as walking, talking, writing and swallowing.

There are three main symptoms for Parkinson’s disease, tremors, rigidity and slowness. With Parkinson’s not everyone will experience the same or all three symptoms. Parkinson’s is found all over the world. One in 500 people in the UK have the condition.

The Parkinson’s Disease Society (PDS) was founded in 1969 by Mali Jenkins. It is a registered charity and exists to help anybody affected by Parkinson’s. Their aim is to give information to people and to point them in the right direction.

The PDS offers a free phone helpline which is staffed by nurses offering advice, research into the cause and prevention of the disease and many more. The PDS have local branches and support groups. These are run by volunteers, who are often people with Parkinson’s or their families. The meetings held are there to offer support, information, social activities and practical help.

Local meetings are held at the Hilary Centre, Salisbury Avenue, Crewe. They are every 3rd Tuesday in the month and start at 7.00pm.

There is also a branch in Northwich and the PDS are currently looking for volunteers to help open the meetings and to generally help out. Currently volunteers are unable to visit people in the own homes. But they do try to phone or visit people who haven’t turned up for meetings.

The local Crewe branch is currently raising funds towards a local nurse which the patients will always be able to talk to and see locally. At the moment many people with the disease have to go to North Staffs hospital to see a neurologists which can take up to a full day.

Volunteers are also always needed to help with fundraising, such as coffee mornings, and collections in shops. Their next local fundraising activity will be a display and collection in Morrisons on 22nd-23rd July.