Parkinson’s UK has launched a new physical activity grants programme for marginalised communities across the UK to help more people living with the condition to get active. 

The pilot grants programme is open until Sunday 10th August. It will run in conjunction with the charity's established physical activity grants programme, which has been delivering funding of up to £3,000 for exercise professionals and local Parkinson’s groups since 2021. In that time, more than £700,000 has been delivered and more than 200 physical activity projects have benefitted from the funding.   

The grants for marginalised communities aim to deliver more innovative exercise, wellbeing and physical activity projects in targeted areas across the UK. They will also offer more opportunities for those in these communities to shape the future delivery and development of the Physical Activity Grants programme. 

Funding of up to £3,000 is available for any of the following social groups affected by Parkinson’s: 

   - Global majority (including all those who are previously categorised as ethnic minorities)

   - People with other disabilities, be it a physical, neurodiverse or hidden disability

   - People from a low socio-economic background

   - People from the LGBTQIA+ community 

   - People from Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant communities

   - Women 

The following community groups and organisations that support the Parkinson’s community are also eligible to apply: 

   - Community-based not for profit organisations (including charities, CICs and constituted community groups, excluding Parkinson's UK Local groups/branches) 

   - Community Amateur Sports clubs (CASCs) 

   - Community benefit societies and Co-operatives 

   - Social Enterprises

Funding can be offered for exercise classes, consultation with the Parkinson's community and towards engagement events. Applicants will need to complete a brief project description and discuss their ideas with local Parkinson’s UK staff and area managers. Once they have spoken with a local Parkinson’s UK representative, applicants will be invited to complete an application form.

Selected locations across the UK are now eligible to receive funding if they work with Parkinson’s communities from marginalised groups. A full list of these locations can be found by visiting the Parkinson’s UK grants for marginalised communities page. 

Roma Hashim, Physical Activity Grants Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We’re really excited about launching the physical activity grants for marginalised communities pilot programme this year. The physical activity grants programme was established to support the Parkinson’s community and the leisure industry to develop and deliver opportunities to be active at a local and regional level. 

“However, we’ve since recognised that there is an increasing number of people from marginalised communities getting a Parkinson’s diagnosis who have limited access to support groups or programmes. 

“Every grant aims to support people with Parkinson’s from marginalised communities to engage in physical activity, to improve their wellbeing. Their insights will also help us understand their needs and shape the future development of exercise and physical activity from Parkinson’s UK.”

Yanar Alkayat from Yanar Mind and Movement (pictured above) delivers chair yoga classes for people living with Parkinson’s in East London. She received more than £2,000 from the physical activity grants programme in 2024.

Speaking about the grant and the impact of funding for physical activity providers, Yanar said: “Physical activity grant funding from Parkinson’s UK has really helped me deliver more free seated yoga classes for people with Parkinson’s and other long term health conditions. The classes are also open to carers and family, giving them the opportunity to look after their wellbeing and move with others too. I hope even more people in East London will be able to join us in 2025. 

“The funding has truly made a difference to my work with the Parkinson’s community. It has enabled me to expand my classes to new areas, reaching more people and providing much-needed movement sessions for free. Without this support from Parkinson’s UK, these classes simply wouldn’t have been possible. I would highly recommend applying for a physical activity grant.”   

For more information about the pilot grants programme for marginalised communities, contact physicalactivity@parkinsons.org.uk or visit www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/physical-activity-grants-marginalised-communities

For more information about the physical activity grants programme, contact physicalactivity@parkinsons.org.uk or visit www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/grants-physical-activity-providers 

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