WORKING residents who have Parkinson’s disease can now receive support specially designed to meet their needs after a new group launched.

Ellen McGrath-Blake has founded new peer support sessions after noticing a gap in provision after her husband was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s in 2019.

Ellen, who is an assistant with Neuro Rehab team at Colchester Hospital, volunteered to launch the group on behalf of the Parkinson’s UK charity.

She said: “A Parkinson’s diagnosis at a young age can feel very isolating, especially as most support groups are aimed at those who can attend during the day.

“However, there are a completely different set of challenges for those of working age.

"Everyone who comes to the group is experiencing similar things, such as trying to explain physical symptoms to young children or, in a lot of cases, juggling work alongside a neurological disease.”

Members are aged in their 40s and upwards and family and friends are able to join in too.

Ellen added that “most importantly” the group makes you realise “you are not alone”.

The group meet up on the second Thursday of every month between 6.30pm and 8.30pm at The King’s Arms pub in Frating.