Parkinson Wellness Projects
ABOUT PARKINSON WELLNESS PROJECTS
Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with Parkinson’s for years, PWP offers programs and resources to support you, your care partners, and family. You are not alone.
PWP empowers, improves function, and increases quality of life for those affected by Parkinson’s, through our evidence-based fitness classes, support groups, specialized counselling, and education programs. We offer a place for people living with Parkinson's to participate in leading-edge exercise programs, to share, and to be supported.
25
Classes offered in person and virtually
700+
Registered participants
6
Support groups available for participants and care partners
Meet others on the same journey.
We offer a welcoming, supportive environment where we focus on functional movement, balance, strength, endurance, and cognition. From boxing to dance to yoga, we have a fun-filled program for you. Our trained professionals are here to help you select classes and programs that are best suited to your needs and interests.
Get involved
Our exercise classes focus on functional movement, balance, strength, endurance, and cognition.
Research shows that when taken at the appropriate level, these specialized programs can slow the progression of Parkinson’s, helping participants maintain or improve their ability to perform daily tasks—better equipping people with Parkinson’s to live the life they love.
Learn about your diagnosis
Sign up for the Newly Diagnosed Educational Series. The series will be facilitated by our Executive Director and PWR! Therapist, Bailey Martin, and our very own counsellor, Dr. Linda Franchi.
This series, intended for people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the past two years, will increase participants’ knowledge about Parkinson’s disease and help them to connect with others who are at a similar stage in your Parkinson’s journey.
Share your story
Your mental and emotional health are just as important as your physical health, and PWP is here to help. People who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease experience physical discomfort and pain, as well as considerable psychological distress, isolation, and apathy.
We offer non-crisis, short term counselling for people with Parkinson’s, their care partners, and family.
Learn more about our programs and services
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To ensure that we are providing effective and safe programs, our classes are divided into four levels designated by numbers. When you’re ready to join our classes, book an in-person or virtual assessment to determine what level best suits your needs.
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Navigating a Parkinson’s diagnosis can be complicated and overwhelming. PWP is dedicated to providing you access to seminars and educational series that cover a variety of topics to enhance your understanding of living with Parkinson’s disease, such as speech language pathology, new diagnoses, medication, etc.
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PWP offers limited-time, seasonal classes outside of our regular class schedule for participants who are looking to get the most out of our exercise programs.
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PWP support groups provide opportunities for participants to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand information about medication, exercise, or other treatments. Each group is led by a facilitator with Parkinson’s or a care partner.
“I was directed to PWP by my neurologist after my recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. From the moment I set foot in the door I have felt welcomed and supported. The class instructors are earth angels, and I almost always come away from a class having learned an interesting or useful piece of information about living with PD. My fellow participants have taken me under their wing, and they are all just so kind. It’s truly a place where there is no judgement and where I know that I am not on this journey alone.”
— Heather M. (Participant)
READY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP?
Meet our kinesiologist for an assessment today!
Parkinson Wellness Projects is funded by donations and grants.
Donate today to help ensure we can provide the best programs and services for our participants.
A $100 monthly donation can cover the costs of exercises classes for one person every month.
Become a xxxxdonorxxxx
Every ounce of generosity matters! Your donation ensures we can provide leading edge, evidence-based programs and services for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Plan a special fundraising event
Make an impact by hosting an event or fundraiser for PWP. Share your passion and contribution with your friends, family, and colleagues.
Here’s how you can help
Become a monthly donor
Help us plan our future by donating on a monthly basis. Your ongoing commitment provides a funding stream that we can count on.
Become a corporate sponsor
Collaboration with corporate partners is key to our success. We seek values-aligned opportunities to support each other's goals.
Planned and legacy giving
A planned and legacy gift is an incredibly generous way to ensure our long-term success and the continuation of our programs and services.
Volunteer at xxxxPWPxzxzx
Make an impact by volunteering at PWP or at one of our fundraising events.
Upcoming events
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Drawing Outside the Lines
This 8-week program will be at our Blanshard Street location every Tuesday from September 10 – October 29 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm.
Drawing Outside the Lines was created as a fun introduction for novice art students and as a refresher for experienced artists with PD. Students will be introduced to the basic skills of representational drawing including:
- Basic shapes and forms
- Architectural perspective
- Human figure
- Face and head structure
- Observational drawing from the flat and the round
- Composition and more
Stay tuned for more information on where and how you can purchase supplies for the class.
*Registration is mandatory. To register for this seminar please contact PWP at 250-360-6800 or info@parkinsonwellness.ca.
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Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) for Care Partners
Facilitated by Dr. Jessica Moretti, with Dr. Franchi of PWP assisting, Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) is a research based, 9-week training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. The MSC program teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care, and understanding.
After participating in this program, participants will have new skills to:
Manage care partner fatigue
Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
Motivate themselves with kindness rather than criticism
Improve challenging relationships
Dr. Jessica Moretti is a Canadian psychiatrist and psychotherapist. She has a special interest in supporting the wellbeing of caregivers using an eclectic approach that includes mindfulness.
To participate in the group, you must commit to attend each session. The program will run for 9 consecutive Fridays from September 27 to November 22 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Please note that the session on November 1 will be four hours. All sessions will take place at PWP, 202-2680 Blanshard Street.
Please note that Dr. Moretti will be calling participants directly prior to the start of the workshop to do a simple interview and to talk to them about the group.
You must have a medical referral to participate. Upon registration, a referral request will be provided for you to give to your GP. Please have your GP fax the referral to PWP. The referral can be obtained through a walk-in clinic or Telus MyCare if you do not have a GP. Referrals need to be received by August 30, 2024.
*Registration is mandatory, and spots are limited. Please contact PWP with any questions or to register by calling 250-360-6800 or email info@parkinsonwellness.ca.
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Hold the Phone – Using Technology (and More!) to Communicate
Join Jasmine Cload, Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), on Wednesday, October 2 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm as she continues her virtual series! Technology can be surprisingly helpful if our voice isn’t able to communicate on its own. There are a multitude of options, including personal voice amplifiers, text-to-speech apps, and more! There are also options which don’t use technology, including communication books and boards. This session will provide participants with a fresh perspective on communication, and creative ways to stay in the conversation.
*Registration is mandatory. To register for this seminar please contact PWP at 250-360-6800 or info@parkinsonwellness.ca.
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Dysautonomia – Symptoms and Approaches to Care in PD
Join us virtually on Monday, October 7 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, as we welcome Dr. Pamela Hutchison, ND. Dr. Hutchison will be sharing information on autonomic dysfunction, a common, under-recognized complication of Parkinson's disease. Approximately 80% of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience some form of dysautonomia, often without realizing it. This is because care typically focuses on motor symptoms like tremor and rigidity. However, symptoms such as orthostatic hypotension, constipation, urinary issues, sexual dysfunction, and temperature intolerance are common in PD and result from changes in the autonomic nervous system. These forms of dysautonomia can significantly impact the quality of life for those affected.
*Registration is mandatory. To register for this seminar please contact PWP at 250-360-6800 or info@parkinsonwellness.ca.
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Singing with Parkinson’s (SWP)
On Thursday, October 24 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm SWP founder and conductor, Paula Wolfson, will be leading an in-person Singing with Parkinson’s class at PWP! All she asks of participants is a commitment to take part, and a willingness to learn songs. With no experience necessary, this program focuses on improved vocal quality, facial expressiveness and emotional perception.
Paula Wolfson is a Dora Mavor Moore Award-winning performer with a 40-plus year career in professional theatre. She has spent the last 10 years working with vulnerable populations using music and singing to express and relieve the stresses and joys of day-to-day living. Paula is a certified Artist-Educator with the Royal Conservatory of Music. For more information about Paula or SWP, click here.*Registration is mandatory. To register for this seminar please contact PWP at 250-360-6800 or info@parkinsonwellness.ca.
Visit us
202-2680 Blanshard St
Victoria, BC V8T 5E1
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:30am–4:30pm
Phone
250-360-6800