A new walking football group has been launched for people with Parkinson's.
The weekly sessions, set up by Eastleigh Walking Football Club, are designed to help those with long-term health conditions, including Parkinson's, get back into football.
The sessions are held every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm at Places Leisure in Eastleigh.
The first two sessions are free, with subsequent classes costing £2 per person.
Relatives and carers are welcome to attend and can enjoy tea and coffee afterwards.
The initiative is supported by the Walking Football Association (WFA) and Parkinson’s UK, with the sessions led by specially trained Parkinson’s coaches and instructors.
The classes, which include a mix of football training exercises and short walking football matches, aim to be fun and accessible for people with long-term health conditions.
Fiona Wingent, walking football coach at Eastleigh Walking Football Club, said: "We are delighted to be working with the Walking Football Association and Parkinson’s UK on our new class for people living with Parkinson’s in the Eastleigh area.
"Our group is all about having fun and learning to be active in a new way, for people with shared experiences.
"Our trained instructors can deliver a range of Parkinson’s friendly exercises and football drills to help people to improve their movement, coordination and their health generally.
"If you have always wanted to get back into playing the beautiful game since your Parkinson’s diagnosis and you haven’t been sure where to start, we could be the group for you."
Walking football is played at a slower pace compared to traditional football matches, giving participants more time to react and think about their movements.
It also takes place on 3G and 4G astroturf pitches, which are flatter surfaces and reduce the risk of trips or falls.
The sport is shown to have many benefits for people living with Parkinson’s, including improved cardiovascular and bone health, better coordination and balance, increased concentration and better sleep, and more social opportunities.
For more information, contact Fiona Wingent at ewfcmobility@gmail.com or call 01962 771 991.
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