Inverness Leisure launches free events for World Parkinson’s Day and establishes new Parkinson’s Beat cardio-drumming classes

Inverness Leisure is set to ‘beat the drum’ for World Parkinson’s Day with an afternoon of free activities.

Friday April 11 will mark the global awareness day for what is sadly the world’s fastest-growing neurological disorder.

NHS Highland estimates around 600 people in the Highlands are living with Parkinson’s, with around 13,000 across the whole of Scotland.

Inverness Leisure is also introducing a brand new class to promote Parkinson’s Beat – a form of cardio-drumming – which is set to become a regular fixture at the venue.

Exercise drumming can help improve muscle tone, strength, balance and coordination, while helping people think more clearly, by giving them practice in matching rhythm to movement, and learning and repeating patterns.

The new class will be held every Wednesday from 12.45pm - 1.45pm.

People will be given the opportunity to try Parkinson’s Beat as part of the open afternoon at Inverness Leisure, in Studio 3 from 1.30pm - 3.30pm on April 11.

There will also be taster classes in Parkinson’s exercises with zumba shakers, exercises with pilates balls and various games.

There will also be a chance to chat with others over tea, coffee and baking.

Parkinson’s happens when the brain cells that make dopamine start to die. There are more than 40 different symptoms associated with Parkinson’s including tremors, pain, issues with balance, difficulty sleeping and anxiety.

It is now recognised that doing exercise can help people live better with Parkinson's.

As well as helping people to manage and take control of their symptoms, specially designed classes can keep people connected and allow them to share experiences.

High Life Highland has been providing ongoing support for participants of Parkinson’s exercise programmes across the Highlands for several years.

Working closely with NHS Highland, the aim is to ensure that people affected by Parkinson’s have a choice of ways to keep active.

Eilidh Maclean, activities development officer at High Life Highland, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming some new, as well as regular faces to this special Parkinson’s session on World Parkinson’s Day at Inverness Leisure.

“It’s free to attend and is set to be really beneficial and enjoyable for participants.

“Working in partnership with NHS Highland, we are keen to support people living with Parkinson’s to help manage their symptoms and to stay active as long as possible.”

More information on Parkinson's Exercise - High Life Highland is available at email parkinsonsexercise@highlifehighland.com / tel. 01463 667500.

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