A unique table tennis club for people with Parkinson’s disease has become one of the winners at this year’s Compassionate City Awards.
The awards celebrate the positive work people and organisations do to make a difference in their communities, with this year’s ceremony taking place last week (6 November) at Leeds Civic Hall.
Kirkstall-based table tennis club ParkyPING!, which was founded in 2023, received the award for Community Sports Project of the Year.
After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019, founder Rob Cook took up table tennis again as exercise is recognised as the best and possibly only way of slowing down the symptoms.
Table tennis is thought to be particularly effective against the symptoms because of its focus on balance, hand-eye coordination and making fast decisions. The group includes people of all abilities, and everyone gets professional coaching as well as peer support about living with Parkinson’s.
WLD reported on them entering Leeds’ local league earlier this year, after forming the first team of its kind in the UK.
ParkyPING! co-founder Rob Cook said: “It’s amazing to win this award and it really means a lot to us. It’s not just about hitting the ball around the table, it’s about growing community and peer support, and helping each other. Table tennis is such a brilliant way of helping with Parkinson’s.”
Leeds ParkyPING!, which formed in 2023, meets to bat and chat together at St Stephen’s Church Hall, Kirkstall, on the first and third Monday of each month, and the second and fourth Tuesday.
If you or someone you know has Parkinson’s and would like to join the group, whatever your ability, get in touch via Leeds ParkyPING! website www.leedsparkyping.club or by email: parkyping@gmail.com.
Doodle Chat
Receiving the award for Health and Wellbeing Project of the Year was Doodle Chat, a relaxed social group for doodling and chatting with all materials provided, created by local artist Ed Thompson.
Started in 2022, Ed brings in people from all walks of life to show how creativity can support wellbeing and build connection with others. The inclusive groups bring together a diverse mix of people with attendees saying it has reduced social isolation and improved their wellbeing.
The initiative has kept growing since its start and now runs at three locations in Armley, Harehills and Hyde Park.
Ed said: “We’ve been working really hard the last couple of years to make art and creative wellbeing accessible and available to different communities across Leeds and to anybody that needs a safe space to come, talk, listen and make friends with new people.
“I’m super happy that that has been recognised with this award.”
Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said: “We are truly grateful for the hard work of these unsung heroes and it’s vital that we continue celebrating them and their efforts in making Leeds the best city to live in. A big congratulations to all the winners and highly commended!”
Full list of winners:
- Jo Cox Award: We Are Seacroft
- Unsung Sporting Hero of the Year: Shaheen Alghofari
- Community Sports Project of the Year: Leeds ParkyPING!
- Health and Wellbeing Project of the Year: Doodle Chat
- Diversity Project of the Year: Conversation Club
- Environmental Achievement of the Year: Mafwa Theatre – Lincoln Greeners Project
- Fundraising Achievement of the Year: The Elliot James Bransby Memorial Shield Community
- Organisation or Project of the Year: LS14 Trust
- Unsung Hero of the Year: Chrissy Thornton
- Special Recognition Award 2025: Kevin Sinfield CBE.
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