How a Lewes table tennis group is helping people with Parkinson's

A community table tennis programme in Lewes has been hailed for supporting more local people with Parkinson’s to live well with the condition, make new friendships and social connections.  

Clare Carroll lives with Parkinson’s and in 2023, she came across a table tennis table by chance in her local park. After struggling to take part in other activities, Clare found to her pleasant surprise that she could play table tennis. 

Clare is a member of the Lewes and District Parkinson’s UK Support Group, a local hub for people living with Parkinson’s across Sussex. Following Clare’s discovery, the group conducted a consultation with its members, who all shared an interest in playing the sport and quickly put table tennis at the top of their wishlist for future activities.

Following funding support through Parkinson’s UK’s Physical Activity Grants, the group was able to secure venue hire and purchase new table tennis equipment, using the Ping in the Community programme from Table Tennis England. 

Sessions first started in March 2025, and in the 18 months since the programme launched, more than 20 people now regularly attend on a weekly basis. 

Each class is designed to be an inclusive and accessible way for people to get active with Parkinson’s, with experienced instructors offering advice and support for all ages and abilities. 

Sessions are also supported by a small group of dedicated volunteers, some have partners or loved ones who live with Parkinson’s and play table tennis each week.

Sessions are free for all participants to attend, with donations to the group also welcome. Casual game play is also encouraged, with a singles table and doubles table available, with the emphasis always focused on participants being active together in a relaxed, fun and social way. 

Players will then often rotate after around 10 minutes, with regular breaks offered for people to rest or chat on the sidelines.   

The social impact of the table tennis sessions is significant for everyone involved, creating a sense of community and providing a support system, not only for participants with Parkinson’s, but for their families as well.

Clare has now experienced the positive impacts of table tennis, both as an instructor and as a participant.

Reflecting on her own personal experience of playing table tennis and supporting the Lewes group, Clare said: “Being able to see how you are able to move and play a sport with a condition like Parkinson’s is incredible. I still feel a sense of elation when I see others experience the same feeling when they play table tennis.

“It is astonishing, generally when you’re hunched in a wheelchair to suddenly get up and realise you can smack a ball about with a bit of oomph is really quite nice”.

Paul is a local table tennis player and often attends the session to provide basic coaching and occasionally run small competitions. 

Speaking about the impact of table tennis for the local Parkinson’s community, Paul said: “People who could hardly hit the ball, as they get more confident, their mobility seems to be better on the table. They can play to a level where they get enjoyment from it”.

Nigel played table tennis in school but stopped playing the sport for more than 50 years. After finding the Parkinson’s table tennis sessions around a year after his diagnosis, Nigel is now enjoying playing again and taking opportunities to play more competitively in both domestic and international Parkinson’s events, winning a medal in a French tournament in September. 

He said: “One of the issues I think when you get diagnosed with any condition, is you get very depressed at first, you don’t quite know what to do. I’ve realised you should have projects in life and adventure, and somehow this has been a good project for me to do and it’s an adventure – it keeps the spirits up”.

Chris Brown, Director of Table Tennis Development at Table Tennis England, said: "The inspiring stories shared by the participants at the Lewes Parkinson's sessions show the incredible impact table tennis can have for people living with the condition.

“Not only can the sport help to alleviate their symptoms, it also helps them to maintain their independence, build friendships and become part of a supportive community.

“We are working alongside Parkinson’s UK and Parkinson’s England Table Tennis to help more people around the country discover those benefits."

Jed Parsons, Physical Activity Programmes and Delivery Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “The Lewes table tennis sessions are a fantastic example of how the right physical activity opportunity can make a real difference to life with Parkinson’s. 

“It’s not just about being active and enjoying the physical benefits; it’s about building confidence, creating friendships and feeling part of a community.

“Through our Physical Activity Grants and partnerships with organisations such as Table Tennis England, we want to help more people with Parkinson’s access activities that are inclusive, enjoyable and meet their needs. 

“The success of the Lewes group shows what can be achieved when local people, volunteers and partners work together to create opportunities that help people live well with Parkinson’s.”

Following the growth of the table tennis sessions, the players now have various ambitions for the future, including participating in more competitions and improving their skills, while others simply want to continue enjoying the sport for as long as possible.

For more information about the Lewes & District Parkinson’s UK Support Group, visit https://localsupport.parkinsons.org.uk/provider/lewes-and-district-support-group