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News admin September 2, 2026

When Your Face Doesn’t Show How You Feel: Parkinson’s and Facial Expression

We read faces constantly.

A smile tells us somebody is pleased to see us.

A raised eyebrow suggests surprise.

A change around the eyes can tell us somebody is amused before they have said a word.

Most of us interpret these signals without even realising we’re doing it.

But Parkinson’s can sometimes change the way emotion appears on somebody’s face.

The person may be interested, happy, excited or amused — yet their expression may not communicate those feelings as clearly as it once did.

And that can lead to one of the more easily misunderstood aspects of living with Parkinson’s.

Communication Facial Expression Facial Masking Hypomimia Living With Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Awareness Relationships

News admin August 27, 2026

Josh “The Showman” Cox Completes His English Channel Swim for Charity

He said he was going to swim the English Channel.

And he did it.

Josh “The Showman” Cox has completed the biggest challenge of his life, swimming across the English Channel to raise money for four charities close to his heart — including Hullbridge Parkinson’s Cafe.

After months of preparation, training and fundraising, Josh set off from Dover on Thursday 13 August 2026 to take on one of the world’s most demanding open-water swimming challenges.

His instruction to himself was remarkably simple:

“All I had to do was keep swimming.”

And that’s exactly what he did.

Charity Challenge Charity Fundraising Community Fundraising English Channel Swim Hullbridge Parkinson’s Cafe Josh Cox Parkinson’s

News admin August 26, 2026

Why Getting Ready Can Take So Much Longer With Parkinson’s

We recently asked our community about something many people living with Parkinson’s will recognise: everyday life doesn’t always run to the same timetable it once did.

One response summed it up perfectly:

“A quick 10 minute shower and change is now over an hour.”

It’s a simple comment, but it says a great deal.

Because to somebody watching from the outside, having a shower and getting dressed might appear to be one task.

It isn’t.

It’s dozens of smaller tasks performed one after another.

And when Parkinson’s affects movement, dexterity, balance, energy or the ability to initiate an action, all those little tasks can begin to take longer.

News admin August 17, 2026

The Two Comfort Zones of Parkinson’s

Why Getting Up Can Be the Hardest Part

Recently, the founder of Hullbridge Parkinson’s Cafe made a simple observation about living with Parkinson’s.

“With Parkinson’s, you have two comfort zones: your bed and your favourite chair.”

It was said from experience.

And the more you think about it, the more it makes sense.

Your bed is warm, familiar and safe.

Your favourite chair supports you in exactly the right places.

Once you’re settled, you’re comfortable.

And when Parkinson’s can make movement require more effort than it once did, sometimes the hardest part isn’t the activity itself.

It’s deciding to get up and start.

Community Daily Life Hullbridge Parkinson’s Cafe Living Well Living With Parkinson’s Motivation Movement Parkinson’s

News admin August 14, 2026

Don’t Give Up the Things You Love Because of Parkinson’s

When you’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it’s natural to think about the things that might become more difficult.

Walking.

Writing.

Travelling.

Sport.

Hobbies you’ve enjoyed for years.

But becoming more difficult doesn’t necessarily mean becoming impossible.

Sometimes it simply means finding a different way.

Community Hobbies Hullbridge Parkinson’s Cafe Independence Living Well Parkinson’s Staying Active Wellbeing