Worthing Table Tennis Club is delighted to announce the launch of a new dedicated table tennis session for people living with Parkinson’s, supported by funding from Parkinson’s UK.
The new sessions will take place every other Thursday from 2.30pm to 3.30pm at Goring Methodist Church Hall, providing a friendly, relaxed and welcoming environment where participants can enjoy table tennis, meet others and stay active.
The sessions are being introduced at a time when there is growing evidence of the potential benefits of table tennis for people living with Parkinson’s.
Table tennis is a particularly interesting activity for people with Parkinson’s because it combines several different types of movement and mental stimulation within one activity. Parkinson’s UK highlights table tennis as an activity that can help maintain and improve leg, arm and core strength, hand-eye coordination, balance and coordination, while also providing an enjoyable and social way to stay active.
The combination of physical movement and mental engagement is one of the reasons table tennis can be so appealing. Players have to continually track a moving ball, anticipate where it is going, coordinate their movements and make decisions in real time. This means that, unlike some forms of exercise, table tennis can provide both a physical and cognitive challenge.
There is also an important social element. Coming along to a regular group provides an opportunity to meet other people, build friendships and enjoy being part of a community. Carers, family members and supporters are very welcome to come along too, whether they want to take part in the activities or simply be there to provide support and encouragement. The aim is to make the sessions as comfortable and accessible as possible for everyone attending.
“We’re really pleased to be able to introduce these sessions to Worthing,” said Matt Porter, Head Coach at Worthing Table Tennis Club.
“Table tennis has so many elements that make it particularly interesting for people living with Parkinson’s. You’re moving, balancing, reacting, concentrating and making decisions, but you’re also having fun and interacting with other people.
“We’re not trying to create a competitive environment. The aim is to provide a friendly and supportive session where people can come along, be active, have a go at table tennis and enjoy themselves. Everyone will have different abilities, so the sessions will be adapted to the individuals taking part.
“We also want people to feel comfortable coming along with a carer, family member or friend. Having someone there for support can make a big difference, particularly when trying something new.”
The project has been made possible through funding from Parkinson’s UK, allowing Worthing Table Tennis Club to expand its community programme and create new opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s to take part in sport locally.
The launch also forms part of a wider national movement to make table tennis more accessible to people with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s UK has been working alongside organisations within the table tennis community to increase opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s to take part in the sport.
The sessions are open to people with different levels of experience, including those who have never played table tennis before. There is no expectation to be competitive, with the emphasis firmly on participation, movement, enjoyment and social interaction.
Worthing Table Tennis Club hopes the sessions will become more than simply an opportunity to play sport, creating a regular social meeting point where people can stay active, meet others and enjoy the many different aspects of table tennis.
The first session is free, giving anyone interested the opportunity to come along, meet the coaches and see whether the sessions are right for them.
