Parkinson’s UK and Table Tennis England have announced a collaborative partnership aimed at creating more opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s to take part in table tennis.
This formal alliance builds on a growing relationship developed over recent years, as the benefits of table tennis for individuals with Parkinson’s have become increasingly evident.
Regular exercise is widely regarded as the most effective—and perhaps the sole means—of slowing the progression of Parkinson’s symptoms. Table tennis can contribute to this by improving balance, hand–eye coordination, reflexes, and rapid decision-making.
Jed Parsons, Parkinson’s UK’s physical activity programme manager, commented: “We’re thrilled to launch this new partnership with Table Tennis England, and I’m excited about the opportunities it will bring for our community, both now and in the future. We know that staying active can be one of the best ways to live well with Parkinson’s, and many of our members have expressed interest in playing table tennis together. As a sport, table tennis is highly inclusive and social, making it accessible for many people to become active. I hope even more people living with Parkinson’s will have the chance to get involved across England.”
The goal of the partnership is to broaden inclusive table tennis nationwide, increase awareness of its benefits for people with Parkinson’s, upskill coaches and volunteers, strengthen the evidence base, support welcoming local clubs, and collaborate on communications to boost participation.
It will also form a central component of the Ping! For Health project, which last month was selected as one of six recipients worldwide of the ITTF Foundation’s Dream Building Fund Generation 2026 initiatives.
Jenny Leach, Table Tennis England’s senior programmes and partnership manager, stated: “We’re excited to deepen our collaboration with Parkinson’s UK and create even more welcoming avenues for people with Parkinson’s to enjoy our sport. We know table tennis can help with movement, confidence, and social connection, and we want everyone to feel they have a place at the table. This partnership will enable clubs, volunteers, and coaches nationwide to deliver sessions that truly make a difference.”
