Appointment - WFS Parkinson's Educator - Drew Wilson

Walking Football Scotland are delighted to share that we have appointed Drew Wilson into the voluntary role of WFS Parkinson’s Educator.

Drew has a wealth of experience working with people with Parkinson’s both on and off the pitch and we are delighted that he has accepted this role that will see him train others to support the delivery of our new Parkinson’s WF sessions across the country in partnership with Parkinson’s UK.

We recently sat down with Drew to learn a little bit more about the programme and his experiences.

What was it that encouraged you to get involved with working with people with Parkinson’s?

“My Mother had Parkinson’s and I always felt there was more we could have done as a family to help her. After I retired I started playing Walking Football in Glasgow and saw first-hand the difference we could make to player’s lives as they recovered from strokes, cancer, and heart conditions. I saw how players improved their mental health through teamwork and the social interaction that ‘being back in the changing room’ provided and I wondered if we could apply this to players living with Parkinson’s.

I approached Glasgow Life with an idea and received the support to approach Parkinson’s (UK) Scotland. We formed a joint pilot programme to determine if Walking Football was suitable for players with Parkinson’s and through that 10 week pilot, it very much proved the case. The results were remarkable! Since then our game and weekly sessions have expanded significantly with the help of the Celtic FC Foundation.

Around the same time, Professor Bas Blom a leading researcher in the Parkinson’s world, published a paper suggesting that amongst other benefits, 150 minutes of exercise a week may slow the advancement of Parkinson’s Disease.”

You have been delivering these sessions with Glasgow Life and The Celtic Foundation over the last number of years - what have you learned along the way?

“Trust!

In developing this programme, it is important to have a team around you which is well informed and aware of Parkinson’s Disease. In Glasgow we have the same group of Coaches and volunteer helpers that worked on the pilot in 2021.

We have access to specialist NHS Physio’s who advise as we need it and this has enabled the team to earn the trust of the players.

There are over 40 main symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease and through our new WFS Parkinson’s Workshop every new coach will work through a training pathway consisting of a Parkinson’s Active online course introducing the condition and how to work with players with Parkinson’s. Then a WFS Practical workshop based upon our delivery experiences and then Parkinson’s (UK) will provide access to Physio support to any new start up.

This package will enable Coaches to gain trust through being informed and providing a simple safe and fun environment for the players.”

Why should people with Parkinson’s get involved with our Walking Football programme?

“Players with Parkinson’s should know that every coach they encounter will have completed the WFS Parkinson’s Education Workshop. The course will equip the coach to understand the condition within the context of Walking Football and the session will be designed to address; Communication, Spatial Awareness, Fitness Conditioning, Balance and Cognitive Decline. All in a safe and fun environment for the player.

We now know that exercise is a contributing factor in managing symptoms and if this truly is the case then ‘WE CAN BEAT IT!’ by giving scientists time to deliver .”

What is your vision for Parkinson’s Walking Football in Scotland?

“Via this Walking Football Scotland and Parkinson’s (UK) Scotland partnership my objective is to get our game into every corner of the country.

In addition to the Glasgow, we currently have a session underway in Aberdeen, and we will soon see the next sessions in Dundee in Fife. Once these projects are underway we will explore partnerships with clubs in other areas who are keen to make a difference in the lives of people living with Parkinson’s. It is an exciting time!

Photos - photosbyphild.com

drew wilson, rose reilly mbe, amanda mckay (parkinson’s uk)

drew wilson, parkinson’s uk brian carson & amanda mckay, matt ramsay