Andrew Mitchell MP, President of the North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield Branch of Parkinson’s UK, has visited the National Institute of Conductive Education (NICE) in Moseley to see for himself the care they provide for local adults with Parkinson’s.
Andrew Mitchell was met by Dr Melanie Brown, the Director and Senior Conductor of NICE at Canon Hill House. The building was owned by a benefactor to the (then) town of Birmingham, Louisa Ryland (1814-1889), and is where the National Institute of Conductive Education has been based since 2001.
Andrew Mitchell discussed the valuable work of the National Institute of Conductive Education and heard that since opening in 1995, it has provided conductive services for children and adults with motor disorders, including Parkinson’s.
Sutton’s MP saw Conductive Education in action when he attended a session which included all the basic movements required for daily living, carried out in a group to provide a positive environment for learning. Four students from Wolverhampton studying for a BA (Hons) course in Conductive Education also attended. The degree is offered by the National Institute of Conductive Education in conjunction with the University of Wolverhampton.
Andrew Mitchell discussed how in October of last year NICE received £68,000 from the Big Lottery which has enabled them to develop a unique ‘Conductive Wii-Habilitation’ for people with Parkinson’s. The project combines Conductive Education sessions with the use of the Nintendo Wii.
Following his visit Andrew Mitchell MP said, “It has been fascinating to see how Conductive Education works first hand. The respite it provides for those with Parkinson’s and other motor diseases is obviously of tremendous value to those who attend. Everyone I spoke to felt the centre had helped beyond all their expectations. Very many thanks to the staff and volunteers for inviting me to see their hard work in action.”
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