Operators interested in offering programmes to get people living with Parkinson’s disease active have until 2 October to apply for a grant from Parkinson’s UK.

For the fifth consecutive year, the charity’s Physical Activity Grants programme has offered up to £3,000 per application to enable activity providers and exercise professionals to deliver classes and active projects for people living with the illness.

The scheme has contributed some £700,000 to around 200 projects over the last four years, including walking football, dance classes, table tennis and seated yoga. Applications can be made by any local community groups and clubs, exercise coaches, activity providers and physios who have a connection to the Parkinson’s community.

Being active can be one of the best ways for people with Parkinson’s to manage their condition and can have many positives, including better balance and coordination, reduced risk of freezing and falls, better cardiovascular health, better energy levels and improved sleep patterns, improved strength and decreased levels of anxiety.

Roma Hashim, physical activity grants manager at Parkinson’s UK, says: “The grants programme continues to grow year-on-year and we have seen so many success stories in that time.

“As the UK’s leading charity for people living with Parkinson’s we can offer expert advice, support and training for exercise professionals, physios and activity providers who want to deliver more sessions for people living with the condition.

“We hope to work with even more activity providers and to create new national partnerships in the coming months, as we help more people enjoy an active lifestyle with the condition.”

The charity is especially interested in projects targeted newly diagnosed people, young onset, under-represented groups, people who are not engaged with Parkinson’s UK, people living with the illness who are still working, those who are inactive or low levels of activity. Projects must run for a minimum of 12 weeks and a maximum of 52 weeks.

For more information about the Physical Activity Grants programme visit the website.