Neuro Heroes has been recognised for its engaging exercise provision and building of a UK-wide community by winning the person-centred care category in the UK Parkinson’s Excellence Network Awards. Founded a year ago by physiotherapists Laura Douglas and Anna Kharin Neuro Heroes organised virtual exercise sessions during the pandemic for people living with Parkinson’s.
There are 145,000 people living with Parkinson’s in the UK, and young onset PD and Parkinson’s in general is on the rise. Neuro Heroes was created to give people with neurological conditions an opportunity to get active at home under the guidance of a specialist neurological physiotherapist and motivate people with Parkinson’s in a supportive group setting. They aim to empower people with the condition to meet physical activity guidelines, which suggest that 2.5 hours of exercise a week can be as important as medication in helping to control and manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Neuro Heroes has four Parkinson’s exercise sessions a week and a community of ‘Heroes’ whose motivation and weekly goals have shaped its service. People have increased their one minute ‘sit -to-stand’ scores by an average of 15 repetitions and have consistently reduced the number of steps needed to turn, improved functional balance and reduced falls risk. They have also shared their approach and reflections with other specialist teams so the benefits of the project can spread.
Source: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy