About us
Our committee and most of our class volunteers are all connected with Parkinson's in some way so have a unique understanding of life with the condition and the challenges it presents.
Active with Parkinson's Cambs (AwPC) is a properly constituted voluntary organisation formed in February 2022.
Deb Liddington
Deb pictured with her dear Dad, Graham Liddington, whom she lost to Parkinson's in 2020.
As Founder and Treasurer she runs AwPC entirely voluntarily in memory of him.
Paul Goddard
Our instructor, Paul Goddard, is an award-winning Neurological Rehabilitation Therapist, with many years' experience in the design and development of his own unique exercise provision called 'PD Challenger'. He is PD Warrior-trained, a British Nordic Walking instructor who is endorsed by INWA (International Nordic Walking Association, a full protocol TMW instructor (Tai Chi Movements for Well-being), Seated Exercise and Smovey instructor.
Paul provides highly motivational, enthusiastic and enjoyable classes in which he shares his knowledge of Parkinson's and explains how and why his exercise programme addresses particular symptoms. As one of our attendees said "Paul gives confidence almost intravenously".
Linda Bance
Linda is a music educationalist and originally specialised in primary and early years music education for 40 years. That was until her husband David was diagnosed with Parkinson's.
With this challenge she dived deeply into finding out how she could help him and others maintain a good expressive voice. She worked with Julie Wilson (Parkinson's UK Area Development Manager) to develop the ParkinSing programme and has completed training with Sing to Beat with Canterbury Cantata Trust to make sure that she provides the best help possible. One beneficiary of her classes said that they had "a face ache after singing from so much smiling". Linda likes to hold on to that.
Our amazing team
Penny Coltman
Chairperson
and class volunteer
Penny has been our Chairperson right from the establishment of AwPC in 2022. She sadly lost her husband Paul in 2024 and subsequently volunteered to be our class assistant at one of our PD Challenger classes in Newport.
The activities of AwPC have been a part of Penny’s life for many years as she supported her PwP husband. She saw for herself how the combination of physical, cognitive and social stimulation extended his active life, and being a helper is her way of saying thankyou to Paul Goddard and the group. Every week she enjoys the company of wonderful people who smile and laugh their way through the classes. She describes the hour as a real tonic for everyone concerned.
Marjorie Smith
Secretary
Marjorie is one of the founder members of AwPC and agreed to hold the post of Secretary on the Management Committee when it was formed in February 2022.
Marjorie attends PD Challenger and Nordic Walking classes.
Marjorie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s early in 2020, just a few weeks before the announcement of the first Covid lockdown in England. She had plenty of time to read up on the condition, but of course no opportunity to meet and mix with others. So, when restrictions were lifted and she heard about an exercise class which was not only devised for people with her condition but was going to be held almost on her doorstep, she was keen to get involved.
Three years later she’s still there, and is currently also signed up for the monthly ParkinSing classes and the trial class for back pain and sciatica as well (but not both at the same time)!
Alexa Jones
Class volunteer
Alexa is our 'Super Volunteer' because she attends all 9 classes/week she enjoys it so much! She says she feels very connected to each class and has formed strong friendships. She believes her enthusiasm and efforts inspire others to push themselves and feel the benefit neuro-specific exercise can provide.
Everyone offers support and understanding to each other and shares their experiences with each other.
Alexa was diagnosed with Parkinson's at 43 years of age and felt she could positively impact on the lives of others because she had full understanding of the condition and the impact it can have on their lives.
Through medication and exercise she has been able to manage her own symptoms and slow her progression and intends to run the London Marathon in April 2026.
She feels she has grown in confidence and had opportunities to gain experience in other areas that she has shown interest in such as Nordic Walking. Alexa has trained as a Nordic Walker Leader and assists Paul, together with Janice, at our Nordic Walking class.
Volunteering with AwPC has given her the opportunity to be part of something bigger than herself and use her skills and knowledge to assist and brighten up the lives of others affected by Parkinson's.
Jamie Griffith
Wednesday class volunteer
Jamie loves helping our amazing kind group of volunteers and people with Parkinson's. His Dad had Parkinson's and he remembers so clearly how this was a struggle for him and his family to manage. It was a natural choice for him to choose to help in our classes.
Lyndsay Griffiths
Thursday class volunteer
Lyndsay heard about AwPC's classes in Newport from Paul whilst doing his Nordic Walking classes.
She says "Paul is such a great instructor and the class is a happy, positive and joyful experience for us all. I am enjoying meeting new people and contributing to the group".
Elin Unsworth
Thursday class volunteer
Janice McClure
Friday Nordic Walking
class volunteer
Janice first came to Nordic Walking to support her husband. She was able to see the benefits of it for him (and her!) along with the positivity and camaraderie within the group. She wanted this to be available to more people, so decided to volunteer. AwPC arranged for her to train as a Nordic Walk Leader, so she is now able to actively support Paul and our group. She looks forward to their Friday afternoons!
Sarah Finney
ParkinSing class volunteer
Sarah says volunteering with us brings her so much joy, being part of a group of wonderful people, making the very best of their lives whilst living with Parkinson’s.
Being alongside those who might need a little extra help makes her feel needed and useful.
Her own Dad used to attend AwPC classes and fought the condition for many years and she wanted to be able to help others in his memory - she feels he would have loved that.
Volunteering is giving her a purpose, a community and a sense of joy. It’s not always about the ‘doing’ as much as the being there … to get the hall ready and welcome people in, to coming alongside those who are unsteady on their feet, sing alongside them and encourage them.
A few hours of her time can make a world of difference to so many people and gives her a real lift for the month!