From Paul M:

I was made most welcome from the very first session I attended: there is a highly-supportive ethos to the group, not least from our patient leader, Jackie, who encourages invariably and cheerfully navigates us through various exercises and dance routines, all very well-tailored to our abilities. The exercises are easy to follow and include vocal strength, stretches, limb oppositions and flexibility. Some of the exercises (such as armswinging) I use at home and find very beneficial.

No-one judges anyone and the enjoyable sessions just fly past.
There is a good range of music deployed for the routines and appropriate warm-ups and
warm-downs are part of the classes.
Another big benefit is meeting fellow Parkinson’s sufferers and swapping tips and news and receiving encouragement/support from each other. 
Finally, there is a mental boost from moving about and socialising with supportive, kind
people: an hour to forget other worries.

It’s the hour of the week I look forward to the most!

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From Pat:

'My sisters and l attend Jackie's class  and don't miss a week unless we really have to. To say that Jackie is a brilliant teacher is an understatement, she goes beyond that in order that we get the best out of every minute and the time always seems to go so quickly. Some, like us have been coming for years but when new people join she makes sure they are welcomed into the fold and included immediately (It is very rare for people not to come again). In summary for one hour each week Jackie and her band of helpers can almost make us believe we don't have PARKY'S! THEY ARE SIMPLY THE BEST. I could go on forever but no time.  We are joining another of Jackie's dance shows in MAY which will raise awareness of Parkinsons. Today she will get us practising so that we get our left/rights correct................keeeeeeeeep dancing............x '

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From Sue:

The classes are a very good morale booster, seeing people who have  much less mobility or range of movements than myself, yet are so cheerful and never complaining is so reassuring and inspiring.
Jackie is such an encouraging and inspiring  ‘teacher / leader’ and always so cheerful and welcoming that it’s a joy to be in the group each Tuesday.
The whole group are friendly and everybody seems to enjoy speaking with everyone else- that includes spouses/ carers.
The morning goes very quickly, and one certainly does feel as that it has been a ‘jolly good workout.’
The excercise linked with a theme and music makes  the moments easier to remember and ‘make sense’  The  vocal exercises are  good too.
The only part of the morning I am not very enthusiastic about is any ‘free movement ‘  - I have no sense of rhythm or imagination / inhibition of movement
Joints always feel that much freer after exercising.

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From Catherine and Ashley:

Ashley was diagnosed with PD about 5 years ago, and we learnt about the Parkinson's Dance classes soon afterwards. However, he strongly resisted joining the classes due to the title as he didn't want to learn to "dance".  

Fast forward to last summer, when you came along to the Parkinson's coffee morning at the Pinhoe Hoard to give a demonstration of one of the class routines, and he agreed to come along and try it after all. We started coming along, and both enjoyed the class so much that we have been coming every week since then.

One of the things that makes it so good is that it is really inclusive - there are no expectations about what participants can or can't do and everyone is encouraged to do whatever they can manage. The classes are particularly beneficial to those with Parkinson's as they involve exercises that work all the various muscles by improving strength, mobility, and balance, and especially that voice exercises are included in the sessions. 

In summary, the classes are an important and fun way to exercise and move to music, and we genuinely look forward to coming every week. They are now a fixed event on our weekly calendar. And lastly, but probably most importantly, you are such a great teacher!

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From Peter and Kathy:

'We look forward to the classes each week. Very much helped with Parkinson's.  We love the singing sheets and enjoy the company of other people with Parkinson's.'

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From Chris and Georgie:

'Chris feels the activity helps his Parkinson's. The social aspect of meeting other people with similar problems cannot be underestimated.  We both like the singing.  The whole class is very uplifting and we always enjoy every session.  Thank you - you are doing a brilliant job!'

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From Rosemary and Trevor:

'We both look forward to coming - exercise with music with much fun.  Very helpful as it also links with formal exercise programmes.  Many thanks for the continuing welcome.'

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'Revived and ready for anything.  gives you a feel good factor.'

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'Amazing group.  Jackie is so motivational and happy - we really enjoy the class.'

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'Thank you for a fabulous inclusive group.  Makes everyone feel uplifted and happy.  We enjoy the weekly sessions.  Great friendships being made.'

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