Free neurological pickleball sessions to launch at Berkhamsted Leisure Centre

People living with Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions, as well as those recovering from a stroke in Dacorum are set to benefit from free weekly pickleball sessions launching this September.

Berkhamsted Leisure Centre will begin hosting neurological pickleball sessions from Wednesday 2 September, as part of a Hertfordshire-wide programme backed by a £15,000 Sport England grant.

Regular physical activity can help people with neurological conditions maintain movement, coordination and balance, while also supporting social connection, which many participants say is just as important.

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis on a compact court, offering a form of gentle exercise alongside regular social interaction. Research suggests this combination can be particularly helpful in managing non-motor symptoms such as isolation and low mood.

Every participant is also offered a free hot drink and biscuit after each session, encouraging people to stay, chat and get to know one another, with the sessions providing an important opportunity for friendship and social connection alongside physical activity.

The venue joins an existing network of sessions at Everyone Active leisure centres in Letchworth, St Albans and Stevenage, where the programme has been running since early 2025 and has seen strong engagement from participants living with neurological conditions.

Sessions at Berkhamsted will be delivered by West Herts Wizards, a local pickleball club whose coaches have specialist training in supporting people with neurological conditions.

Kirsty Jones, Regional Activity and Wellbeing Manager at Everyone Active, said: "Berkhamsted Leisure Centre is a brilliant venue and we're really pleased to be bringing this programme to the Dacorum community for the first time. The feedback from existing sessions has been extremely positive, particularly around the social benefits and the sense of community they create. We want these sessions to be somewhere people genuinely look forward to each week, where they can stay active, build confidence and connect with others in a supportive environment."

The new sessions have been made possible by a £15,000 Sport England grant, secured with the support of Hertfordshire Sports Partnership's No Limits 2026 campaign.

Sessions at Berkhamsted Leisure Centre begin on Wednesday 2 September, running from 10:00am to 11:00am. All sessions are free to attend for anyone living with a neurological condition and their carers.

People living with Parkinson's can also access a free Everyone Active membership, giving them wider access to gym, swimming and group exercise classes at the centre.

Everyone Active manages Berkhamsted Leisure Centre on behalf of Dacorum Brough Council.

To book or find out more, contact: [email protected]