People living with Parkinson's in Royston and surrounding areas are invited to join a new activity group.

Launched this month by Parkinson's UK, the 'Thursday Club' meets every Thursday at the Coombes Community Centre, Burns Road, Royston from 10.30am until midday.

Sessions cost £5 per person, and alternate singing and voice coaching sessions with visiting speakers including researchers, nutritionists and yoga teachers.

Linda Bance, a voice coach whose partner is living with Parkinson's, leads the singing at the club.

She said: "The Thursday club is open to anybody living with Parkinson’s along with their carers, partners, and friends.

"The club sees no boundaries, so people from Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire are all welcome.

"Along with singing every other week, we hope people will try many other activities and make friends.

"Long term, we are hoping that this club will grow and become your ‘go-to’ every Thursday morning."

The new activity club is in addition to the existing monthly Royston Parkinson's Café, a social group for people with Parkinson's and their partners which meets at The Old Bull Inn at 10.30am on the last Tuesday of the month.

Julie Wilson, area development manager for Parkinson's UK, said: "Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s can be a shock and adapting to life with the condition can be hard for the person involved and their loved ones too.

"But we know that getting the right information and support at the right time can make all the difference.  

“That’s why our local groups and networks can be a lifeline. It is vital that we can support everyone affected by Parkinson’s, so that together, we can move towards everyone with the condition feeling empowered to take back control of their life."

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Around 153,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with Parkinson's, including approximately 500 in North Herts.

Parkinson's is a chronic degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, with early symptoms including tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking.

The charity Parkinson's UK aims to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by the condition through research, information, support and campaigning.