Charities

Walking Football Scheme Helps Hundreds Living With Parkinson’s After First Year

Good News Post

May 18, 2026 — 2 min read

Image credit Anastasia Shuraeva via pexels

By Charities Correspondent

A national walking football partnership supporting people living with Parkinson’s has helped more than 230 participants get active in its first year.

The initiative, run by Parkinson’s UK in partnership with The Football Association, English Football League and the Football Association of Wales, launched in April 2025 across England and Wales.

Programmes now run through 15 EFL club foundations in England and nine hubs in Wales, with sessions hosted at clubs including Norwich City, Bromley, Stockport County and Mansfield Town, as well as Cardiff City, Swansea City, Bridgend and Haverfordwest.

The project aims to build a national network of inclusive football sessions for people living with neurological conditions, encouraging participation regardless of age or ability.

Walking football has been shown to support physical and mental wellbeing, helping participants improve mobility, balance, fitness and confidence while reducing isolation.

Anna Castiaux, physical activity programme lead at Parkinson’s UK, said she had seen growing engagement since the partnership began.

She said she hoped even more people would try walking football and benefit from both the physical and social aspects of the game.

Caroline Rassell, chief executive of Parkinson’s UK, said the programme was helping people build confidence and community.

She highlighted the work of the Parkinson’s Pioneers team, an all-female walking football group, as an example of how the sport can support friendship and inclusion.

EFL director of community Debbie Cook said club charities were using football to create inclusive spaces and deliver real benefits to local communities.

She said more than 80% of participants had moved from inactive to more active lifestyles since joining the programme, along with improvements in wellbeing and social connection.

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Since then, football club community foundations and hubs have introduced Parkinson’s-specific walking football sessions designed to help people stay active in a safe, social environment.