A new walking tennis session in Taunton is serving up fresh opportunities for people with Parkinson’s.
Taking place on Tuesday, September 8, from 2pm to 4pm, the event will be held at Taunton Tennis Centre at Blackbrook Leisure Centre on Blackbrook Way.
The session is being run by Taunton Walking Tennis Club, with support from Everyone Active and Parkinson’s UK.
The session is designed to help more people get into walking tennis in a fun and social way.
Experienced instructors can take participants through the basics of playing walking tennis, with all equipment provided on-site.
The session will be broken down into three parts, starting in the ‘red zone’ mini court where attendees will learn the basics of walking tennis using sponge balls and lighter tennis rackets.
Participants can then choose to move onto a half tennis court or a full tennis court if they feel confident increasing their intensity on the day.
Experienced people with Parkinson’s will also be on hand to teach the basic principles of walking tennis.
Carers and relatives are also welcome to join in or watch the sessions, and teas and coffees are also provided.
A raffle will also be held at the first session with a mix of ‘Parkinson’s prizes’ on offer for attendees.
Participants are recommended to wear comfortable active wear and footwear appropriate for playing tennis and to bring bottles of water, snacks and any medication they may need on the day.
Walking tennis can have many benefits for people living with Parkinson’s, including improved balance and coordination, better strength, flexibility and mobility, improved sense of wellbeing and mindfulness, better memory and cognitive skills, greater social interaction, and improved speech and communication skills.
The session is free to attend.