Today, I had the privilege of being part of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Mental Health Fair, held on Thursday 2nd October, in recognition of World Mental Health Day 2025.
The event brought together a wide range of organisations and community groups working tirelessly to support the mental health and wellbeing of patients, families, and carers.
Why carers need to be at the heart of mental health conversations
As someone who has cared for a loved one experiencing mental health challenges, I know firsthand the importance of recognising and supporting carers through the groups i run.
Welcome to another blog and awareness video by carer activist Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM. If you wish to see the awareness below, please click below.
Raising Awareness: The Unseen Heroes of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease, a progressive neurological condition predominantly affecting movement and coordination, often evokes the imagery of tremors and physical discomfort. Yet, beyond these visible symptoms lies an intricate complexity that reshapes daily life for both those diagnosed and the caregivers – the unsung heroes standing resiliently behind them.
As we mark World Parkinson’s Day 2025, it is imperative to delve deep into the unseen facets of this journey, particularly focusing on driving and the often-overlooked unpaid carers who tirelessly offer support, love, and patience against formidable odds.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: A Complex Condition
Parkinson’s Disease is more than an ailment of tremors. This progressive neurological disorder brings with it a range of symptoms that affect mobility, movement, and coordination, making daily tasks increasingly challenging. However, that’s merely the surface. The true complexity of Parkinson’s lies in its unpredictable nature, no two journeys are the same. Each individual experiences a unique set of challenges, and by extension, so do their families and carers.
The Impact on Mobility and Beyond
While the loss of coordinated movement is a significant indicator, Parkinson’s Disease affects much more than the physical. It impacts daily activities, altering how individuals interact with their environment and the people around them. This transformation extends beyond the individual, touching families and communities and reshaping relationships in profound ways.
The Role of Unpaid Carers: Strength and Resilience in Silence
For every person diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, there usually stands an unpaid carer – a partner, child, friend, or close companion who navigates this journey alongside them. These carers exhibit an unwavering commitment marked by strength and resilience, often facing their own set of challenges including emotional, physical, and financial strains. It is crucial to acknowledge their dedication and raise awareness about the indispensable role they play.
Life Beyond Diagnosis: A New Normal
Carers find their lives dramatically altered as they take on responsibilities that extend far beyond regular caregiving duties. There’s no clocking out, no salary, and hardly any spotlight. Carers prioritize the needs of the person with Parkinson’s above their own, often dealing with the emotional toll of the disease. They embody strength – the kind needed to wake up each day and face unknown variables, to push forward despite physical and emotional exhaustion.
The Intersection of Parkinson’s and Driving: Independence and Freedom
Driving symbolizes independence, connection, and freedom – aspects that those living with Parkinson’s struggle to hold on to. For many, driving is more than a convenience; it is a crucial part of their identity and autonomy. However, the progression of Parkinson’s can compromise these abilities, bringing about new challenges and fears.
The New Role of Carers in Mobility
Carers play a significant role in helping to navigate this new reality. They advocate, co-pilot, and sometimes take over the wheel in both a literal and emotional sense. Their support becomes an anchor for the person with Parkinson’s, helping them maintain some semblance of independence and connection with the world.
The Collective Effort: Parkinson’s UK and Global Initiatives
World Parkinson’s Day is spearheaded by a global alliance comprising approximately 80 Parkinson’s organizations, unified in their mission to raise awareness and advocate for those affected. Parkinson’s UK stands at the forefront of this initiative, leading the fight for better care, support, and services. They emphasize the importance of community, providing expert guidance and an invaluable support network for both patients and carers.
Advocacy and Community Support
These organizations work tirelessly to promote awareness, engage in advocacy efforts, and foster a sense of community. They provide a platform for those affected by Parkinson’s to share their experiences, find support, and fight for a better quality of life. Through these collective efforts, the aim is to ensure that no one faces this journey alone.
A Call to Action: Recognizing and Supporting Carers
As we commemorate World Parkinson’s Day, it is essential to recognize the people standing behind those with Parkinson’s. These carers often carry a significant portion of the burden, usually unnoticed and unacknowledged. Raising awareness about their contributions is vital to ensure they do not have to bear this weight in silence.
Driving Forward Together
The road ahead requires a collective effort to drive forward, not just physically but in terms of societal understanding and support. It’s about creating a world that truly acknowledges the challenges of living with Parkinson’s and equally the dedication of those who love and care through its trials. Together, by sharing this mission, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with Parkinson’s and their carers.
Thank you for taking the time to read and understand the multifaceted journey of Parkinson’s Disease on this World Parkinson’s Day 2025. Let’s continue to support, advocate, and drive forward towards a better world for those living with and caring for Parkinson’s Disease.
Welcome back to another blog post by carer activist and Carers UK volunteer Matthew McKenzie. This blog post is focused on the upcoming event aimed at black communities to address Parkinsons.
The event will be hosted by Parkinsons UK who fight hard to raise awareness of parkinsons and promote better treatment and services for those affected by Parkinsons disease.
Parkinsons disease does not discriminate, although parkinsons usually affect those at an older age, it can affect others from any age, race or social standing. Parkinsons is a devasting illness and can easily put a strain on families and whole communities. This includes those from the black community
To increase awareness of how Parkinsons can affect the black community, we must come together to learn and discuss what steps we can taken to reduce the impact of the disease. It is not only the impact on the person diagnosed with Parkinsons, but also the family and carer trying to improve quality of life.
Taken from Parkinsons UK website. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time.
People with Parkinson’s don’t have enough of the chemical dopamine in their brain because some of the nerve cells that make it have stopped working. Around 153,000 people live with Parkinson’s in the UK. And it’s the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.
The event Parkinsons UK is running is called “Addressing Parkinsons with black communities” This will take place online for both Wednesday 8th May and also Saturday 11th of May from 12pm – 4 pm.
I am proud to take part for the event on the 11th of May where I will cover how Parkinsons can affect carers and what steps carers can take to reduce the impact.
A Caring Mind 