Stepping Forward Together: Home Instead Wandsworth at Walk for Parkinson’s
Home Instead Wandsworth, Lambeth & Dulwich joined Walk for Parkinson’s at Battersea Park — raising awareness, funding specialist nurses in the UK, and supporting the community
Home Instead Wandsworth, Lambeth & Dulwich, the trusted & leading home care provider in the area, proudly took part in Walk for Parkinson’s 2025, Parkinson’s UK’s flagship community walk that brings people together to raise funds and awareness for those living with Parkinson’s. The event was organised to get people moving and foster a fun, uplifting atmosphere, with volunteers greeting walkers, music playing at the finish line, and everyone coming together to share stories and support.
Our team also took the opportunity to engage more deeply with attendees by raising awareness about Parkinson’s, sharing helpful resources, and speaking with volunteers from Parkinson’s UK about ways to get involved and support the cause.
Parkinson’s: Symptoms and Impact
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, cognition and mood. In the UK, around 153,000 people are currently living with Parkinson’s. There is no cure yet to slow or stop the disease. Symptoms are wide-ranging and can include tremors, stiffness, pain, anxiety and depression. These challenges can be isolating, and many people with Parkinson’s lose confidence and their sense of self. Because there is no cure, helping people manage symptoms and preserve independence is essential. Staying active and connected to others is therefore extremely important for the quality of life.
Movement Is Medicine: Walking Together for Health and Hope
Exercise is “medicine” for Parkinson’s. Regular physical activity can ease movement symptoms and improve overall well-being. Engaging in activities can improve better quality of life for people with Parkinson’s. Beyond the physical gains, exercise also boosts mental health: it can elevate mood, increase confidence and help with sleep, all of which ease the daily burden of Parkinson’s. Importantly, group activities build social support – they give people a sense of community and shared purpose.
At the Battersea Park Walk for Parkinson’s on 7 September 2025, hundreds of people – including families with children – joined in, wearing the event T-shirts and cheering each other along. By walking, participants across the UK put the community in motion: spreading awareness, breaking down isolation and raising funds for specialist nurses and therapists. Studies show that about 1 in 5 people with Parkinson’s still lack access to a dedicated Parkinson’s nurse. This Fundraising walk will contribute to changing that by financing new nurse posts and allied health support.
Home Instead UK Steps Up
As a leading care provider with an outstanding CQC rating, Home Instead UK Wandsworth & Dulwich is proud to stand alongside our community in support of meaningful causes. Our reputation for delivering high-quality, specialist care has made us an official partner of Parkinson’s UK, a partnership built on shared values of compassion and dedication.
On 7 September, eight of our care professionals laced up their walking shoes and joined the Walk for Parkinson’s at Battersea Park. Walking side-by-side with community members gave our team the opportunity to connect on a personal level with the people we serve. It was a wonderful chance for our staff to meet families affected by Parkinson’s, show our support, and to raise funds and awareness all at once. Taking part in this event also brought a strong sense of purpose and pride to our team, reinforcing why we do what we do every day.
The impact of fundraising
Every penny raised through Walk for Parkinson’s helps Parkinson’s UK continue their vital work, including funding NHS Parkinson’s Nurses who deliver specialist care to people living with Parkinson’s. These dedicated nurses play a crucial role in diagnosis, symptom management, and supporting families — services that make a real difference.
At a local level, Home Instead’s trained Care Professionals extend this expert Parkinson’s careinto the home, offering day-to-day symptom support to improve quality of life for those affected by Parkinson’s.
Sadly, tens of thousands of people across the UK currently have no access to a specialist Parkinson’s nurse. The Nurse Appeal aims to change this by funding more nurses, ensuring everyone living with Parkinson’s can receive the expert care and guidance they need and deserve.
Currently, tens of thousands of people with Parkinson’s in the UK have no access to a specialist Parkinson’s nurse. The Nurse Appeal will fund:
- 25 new Parkinson’s nurses to give thousands more people direct access to expert nursing care
- 30 new allied health professionals (physiotherapists, mental health specialists and more) for targeted symptom support
- 6 clinical fellowships to train future leaders in neurology and geriatrics to improve Parkinson’s care
- Extra specialist training for existing healthcare staff, so more professionals understand how to care for someone with Parkinson’s
So far, Parkinson’s UK has already funded dozens of new specialists and enabled nearly 5,000 extra people with Parkinson’s to get expert care. Home Instead UK is proud to be part of this effort: by walking, fundraising, and raising awareness, we’re helping ensure that more families get the support they need.
Walking Toward a Brighter Future
At the end of the day, the Battersea Park walk was a celebration of community, resilience and hope. We were inspired by the determination of everyone who walked – many of whom are living with Parkinson’s themselves or have loved ones who do. By supporting each other with every step, we moved closer to better care and understanding for people with Parkinson’s. Home Instead Wandsworth, Lambeth and Dulwich is already looking forward to the next Event for Parkinson’s and continuing this journey together with Parkinson’s UK. Whether by walking, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, each of us can help create a world where no one with Parkinson’s feels alone – and where great specialist care is within reach for all.
Thank you to our team and supporters
A huge thank you to everyone who came out on the day — the Home Instead Wandsworth, Lambeth & Dulwich team, our clients and families, and all the volunteers and Parkinson’s UK staff who made the event possible. Your steps, smiles, and donations amplify the positive impact we can have as neighbours and as a caring community.