Macclesfield Co-op stores to raise money for Bollington Parkinson's group
A support group for people and their families affected by Parkinson's disease is to receive funding from the Co-op.
By Alex Greensmith
Posted: Tuesday, 07th February 2023 11:52 am
A support group for those affected with Parkinson's disease is to receive vital funding from the Co-op.
The ALEX Project, who meet every Wednesday morning at Bollington Health and Leisure, will gain thousands of pounds towards their running costs from the Co-op's Local Community Fund.
Employing no permanent staff, The ALEX (Activities, Leisure & Exercise) Project is powered by volunteers, many of whom have Parkinson's themselves.
The support group meets as a social gathering, but also as the venue hosts a suite of physical activity programmes to benefit those suffering with the degenerative disease.
The ALEX Project is one of 12 Macclesfield causes the Co-op will raise money for in 2023.
Macclesfield Nub News Editor Alex Greensmith met with the group to find out what the Co-op money will go towards.
"The ALEX Project is a sub-group of the Macclesfield Group of Parkinson's UK", said Grenville.
"We started meeting at Bollington Health and Leisure in 2003, when one of our committee members at the time met somebody here who was a physiotherapist and designed a programme for him."
While everyone is affected by Parkinson's differently, many types of physiotherapy have helped people deal with their symptoms.
The activities covered include Pilates, Tai Chi, aqua-exercise and gym activity.
But as well as physical and cognitive benefits, there are emotional benefits for members of the group as well as it offers a chance to talk with others about their experience of the disease.
According to Parkinson's UK, one in 37 of us will get it in our lifetime.
"The physiotherapist who helped one of our committee members twenty years ago was called Alex", added Grenville.
"So we decided to call this meet-up The ALEX Project, which also stands for Activities, Leisure and EXercise."
Service user George, who at one point was a qualified counsellor for those affected by Parkinson's, explained the benefits he has seen physiotherapy bring.
"Our exercise programme in the pool was great as there was no risk of falling over and hurting yourself when attempting to exercise", he said.
"It is good for strengthening muscles and co-ordination as well.
"There are so many angles to do with Parkinson's, it can be a bit confusing at times especially the medication. But we hope to make things a little easier through our meet-ups."
For all humans, physical activity releases dopamine. But this ability is diminished under Parkinson's.
Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating the movement of the body, and as such can help alleviate the negatives of Parkinson's.
While dopamine is a medication prescribed since the disease was first began to be treated, the curation of an activity programme gets people out into the community and also allows them to attempt to create the hormone naturally.
The Co-op money, which could be between three and six thousand pounds, could cover the running costs for the years to come.
The group's expenditure includes paying professionals who help deliver their programme.
They also pay a very small rent fee to use Bollington Health and Leisure.
The ALEX Project does not get any funding from the NHS or local authorities. It is completely self-funded.
This makes the Co-op's funding support especially welcome, as it means they do not have to focus on running as many external fundraisers, and can focus on running the support group which helps hundreds.
There is a shortage of Parkinsons nurses in the local area, and generally. So anything that can be done to make the year-long waiting list a bit easier, like such a get-together could make a huge difference.
You can donate cash at The ALEX Project every Wednesday, but private donations from individuals and businesses play a big role, with AstraZeneca Macclesfield and Marks and Spencer Macclesfield making big pledges in recent years. However, the Co-op donation amount could well exceed theirs.
"We've been praised by Parkinson's UK who say 'there is no group like us in the country'. And that is why it is critical to keep it going," added George.
"One of the great things about this group is you can go into that café and not mention Parkinson's, because we are all in the same boat.
"For Co-op members who choose for the money they raise to go to us, thank you. Thank you for helping people who can sometimes not help themselves.
"From a social aspect, some people don't have anything else on in the week other than this. But also with months waiting to see a specialist, people can go too long without talking about what their body is going through."
"Some people suffer in silence. I've known people that haven't even told their family about it," revealed Grenville.
"It shouldn't be like that, but this is a safe space here."
The Co-op application has extra sentimental value for The ALEX Project, as it was originally the idea of a late young man who was their Treasurer to apply.
"Thank you to the Co-op and their members for their support," Grenville concluded.
"And to everyone who helps make The ALEX Project happen."
To start raising money for The ALEX Project at no extra cost to you, simply become a Co-op member.
You can then select The ALEX Project on the Co-op app for funds to be distributed to them.
Join the Co-op today online at this webpage or in-store.
Click on this link to find out more about the Local Community Fund.
Macclesfield: You can also support The ALEX Project by giving them a follow on Facebook.
For more facts about Parkinson's, please head here.
See Also: Co-op funding to boost activity programme for The Rossendale Trust's 50th anniversary
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