Parkinson’s UK Cymru has launched new weekly samba drumming sessions for those living with the condition in Pembrokeshire.

The new community based ‘SParky Samba’ sessions in Goodwick, Pembrokeshire, arranged by Parkinson’s UK Cymru and funded by Arts Council of Wales, aim to give people living with Parkinson’s an opportunity to keep mentally and physically active by providing gentle exercise. Samba is a real challenge for the brain and an opportunity to have fun with friends. The sessions take place weekly on Monday afternoons at The Phoenix Centre, Goodwick.

Samba is a South American music style, with its roots embedded in Afro-Brazilian culture, that is performed with lots of percussion instruments. Every member of a samba ensemble has a specific role as the music often involves the layering of different rhythms over each other.

Researchers at Cardiff University spent time interviewing people living with Parkinson’s who have attended SParky Samba sessions in the capital. They found that members have felt a number of benefits in their movement, health and wellbeing from participating in the group. As the programme now launches in Pembrokeshire, a more detailed evaluation of SParky Samba will be undertaken to understand exactly how the activity may improve health outcomes and wellbeing in people with the condition.

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 153,000 people in the UK, including around 8,300 in Wales, and every hour two more people are diagnosed. There are over 40 different symptoms, ranging from tremor and pain to anxiety. Parkinson’s UK is the largest charitable funder of Parkinson’s research in Europe, leading the way to better treatments and a cure.

Mike Howlett, a volunteer at the Pembrokeshire SParky Samba sessions, said: “As a volunteer with SParky Samba I get to see the beaming smiles on participants' faces as they surprise themselves with what they can learn and are able to achieve in a relatively short space of time. The group offers a welcoming, friendly and supportive environment for people of all levels of ability and is an absolute pleasure to be a part of.”

SParky Samba is the idea of Eirwen Malin, an active member of, and advocate for the Parkinson’s community here in Wales. She said: “My approach to living life with Parkinson’s since my diagnosis more than 10 years ago has been to learn as much as possible about the condition and to engage in a range of activities to mitigate some of the symptoms. I was intrigued about percussion samba and thought it might be a good one to explore as the driving rhythms certainly gets everyone moving and exercise is highly recommended for people living with the condition. With the support of Barracwda, a community samba band and its Musical Director Sallie MacLennan, we started regular sessions for those living with the condition in the Welsh capital and it has grown from strength to strength since we launched last year. I cannot be more proud that an initial idea of mine continues to grow in scale, as people living with Parkinson’s in Pembrokeshire will now get the opportunity to engage in this uplifting activity.”

In West Wales, Sparky Samba sessions are available in:

Pembrokeshire - 3.15pm, every Monday at the Phoenix Centre, Goodwick. Contact [email protected] to receive the latest information

Llandudno - 2.00pm, every Friday at St Michael’s Church Hall, Glyn y Marl Road, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9NS. £3 a session and no need to pre-book. Contact [email protected]