People living with Parkinson’s in Chelsea, Kensington and the surrounding areas are being invited to try a new walking football session from the Chelsea Foundation.
When: 10.30am to 11.30am every Monday, starting on 6 October
Where: Westway Sports Centre, 1 Crowthorne Rd, London W10 6RP
The new sessions are being supported by the West London Parkinson’s Exercise Hub and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
The sessions will be delivered by specially trained Chelsea FC Foundation coaches on a 3G football pitch, offering anyone living with Parkinson’s a safe, inclusive, and engaging way to stay active through adapted football.
No previous experience of walking football is required, and carers and relatives are also welcome to watch or join in. It is recommended to wear comfortable activewear and footwear for playing football and to bring a bottle of water.
Walking football can have many benefits for people living with neurological, or long-term health conditions, including:
- Better balance and coordination
- Reduced risk of freezing and falls
- Better cardiovascular health
- Better energy levels and improved sleep patterns
- Improved strength
- More social interactions
- Improved wellbeing and mental health
Sam Sainsbury, Adapted Sports Coordinator at Chelsea FC Foundation, said:
“At Chelsea FC Foundation we understand the benefits of walking football for people living with Parkinson’s and we recognise the need for more opportunities such as this across our London boroughs.
“As a Foundation, we believe in bringing people together to create healthier lives and our intention is to address the pertinent needs of the local community, as a result we are excited to introduce these sessions and watch them grow”.
To find out more about the new walking football sessions, contact Sam Sainsbury on sam.sainsbury@chelseafc.com.
