Location, Field of Activity, Impact

It is estimated there are 1,900 people with Parkinsons in Cheshire alone with 240 being diagnosed every year.

The Alex has 190 members with 100 regularly attending weekly classes in Bollington with a further 30 attending Zoom and other classes

Circa 95% of members come from East Cheshire with the rest coming from North Derbyshire.

The ALEX Project meets weekly, on Wednesdays, at Bollington Health and Leisure Centre, Heath Road, Bollington from 9 30 AM until 1.00 PM and provides, Activities, Leisure and Exercise (ALEX) for anyone affected directly or indirectly by Parkinson’s.

These activities provide the benefit to users of slowing down the advance of Parkinsons and providing a better quality of life (both physical and emotional)

At Bollington we offer Exercise, Massage, Tai Chi, Pilates and Podiatry sessions at no cost. Members can however make voluntary donations to the group.

Members have supervised use of the gymnasium, the jacuzzi and the swimming pool.

All courses are run by qualified tutors paid for by the Alex.

We also hire the Café for the duration of the activities where Parkinsonians can meet and enjoy social activity and free coffee.

We also have an online presence via Zoom and run several weekly exercise classes and also monthly social meetings at Bollington Community Centre.

We organize other social activities throughout the year which are subsidized to the members including:

Coach trips, Craft days, quizes, Christmas meals and other events.

We do not make any charges, but rely entirely on donations from members and organizations (including fund-raising activities)

History

Parkinsons Macclesfield was  set up as part of Parkinson’s UK in  the late 90’s

Swimming activities were organized targeting help with stiffness and mobility issues and as an extension to this funds were raised to offer pilates, massage and other activities with 12 people attending the first session in 2003.