Our Parky Profile this week is a man who's been riding the Parkinson's wave far longer than any of the Movers and Shakers. Matt Eagles was diagnosed at the tender age of seven, and has had a full-life PD experience, from being a ropey designated driver to finding love on Facebook. Matt is an eternal – and determined – optimist, and his Parky journey is sure to inspire listeners as to what can be achieved with, because, or in spite of the condition. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian...

Our guest in the latest of our Parky Profile series is Emma Lawton. Emma wears a lot of hats (and not to cover her pink hair!): graphic designer, blogger, stand-up comedian and parky! Having been diagnosed at the age of 29, Emma has spent the last decade coming to terms with her diagnoses and working out how to live a full life and check items off her f***-it list! Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy...

For the next in our series of profiles of fascinating folk with Parkinson's, Paul introduces the gang to Kevin Cahill. For decades, Kevin was the Chief Executive of Comic Relief, a role that entitled him dubious honours, like employing Paul to write University Challenge sketches, and convincing Billy Connolly to run round Trafalgar Square in nothing but his God-given fatigues. Kevin joins the Movers and Shakers in the Notting Hill pub to discuss his life, career, and journey with...

In the pub this week, for the latest instalment of our Parky Profiles series, is none other than Paul Sinha: qualified doctor, award-winning comedian, professional Chaser. Paul's journey through Parkinson's hasn't been without its difficulties – to compound things, he had a heart attack at the Edinburgh festival – but over a Diet Coke in the Notting Hill pub, Paul shares his wit and wisdom on living, and thriving, with Parkinson's. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark...

On this bonus election episode of the podcast (don't worry, the politics is over and our Parky Profile series will resume on Saturday!) we're speaking to Victoria Atkins, the current Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. We discuss the impact that the Conservatives are having on the backlog in the health service, the future for neurological provision, and what she can – and can't – promise when it comes to the Parky Charter. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark...

In just a couple of weeks, Wes Streeting may find himself the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. If that wasn't a sufficiently daunting proposition, this week he finds himself at the Notting Hill pub surrounded by our group of militant Parkies! What does Streeting make of the Parky Charter? Will he promise an influx of new neurologists? And how will he prevent the NHS succumbing to sclerosis? On this special election edition of Movers and Shakers, the gang put the prospective...

For the second instalment of our summer series profiling extraordinary people with Parkinson's, the gang are joined in the Notting Hill pub by Dame Susie Sainsbury. A note philanthropist and patron of the arts, Susie has spent decades living with PD. But what caused her to spend 3 years keeping the diagnosis totally secret, even from her husband, former Science Minister David Sainsbury? And how does she now find herself involved with an experimental programme building bridges between the...

This week, we're kicking off our summer mini-series, profiling top Parkies who are leading extraordinary lives despite – or because of – the condition. First up: Guy Deacon. Guy has driven from Morocco to South Africa in a VW Camper Van since his diagnoses, which makes him a perfect person to pontificate on how to take big, adventurous risks when living with the illness. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy...

It's the season finale of Movers and Shakers, which means that it's time to answer some of your letters. From discussion about the Charter to playing walking football at the Emirates, this is a diverse mailbag that captures the wit and wisdom of the Movers and Shakers community. And then, at the end of the episode, we have a little treat: music extracted from Parky tremors! Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy...

From levodopa to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) we're all pretty familiar with the treatments for Parkinson's. But could there be something, just around the corner, that could change the whole game, not just stalling but reversing the tide of symptoms? That's the subject the Movers and Shakers are discussing today as they gather in the Notting Hill pub with special guest Professor Roger Barker, a world-leading expert on the application of stem cells as a potentially revolutionary treatment for...

What causes Parkinson's? This is one of the trickiest questions facing researchers and doctors – not to mention patients – and it's the topic being tackled by the Movers and Shakers as they take to the Notting Hill pub today. Is there something atmospheric? Or does the club lie in our DNA? Our guide through this topic is Professor Matt Farrer, one of the leading lights of this research area. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas...

This week we have a very special episode of Movers and Shakers: live from Downing Street! On World Parkinson's Day, the Movers and Shakers, along with representatives from Parkinson's UK, Cure Parkinson's and Spotlight YOPD took to the streets of Westminster to hand over the #ParkyCharter, a list of 5 demands (well, polite requests) to government. Join Rory, Gillian, Mark, Paul, Nick and Jeremy in that experience, and listen to the testimonies of the many listeners to the show who made the...

From Love and Other Drugs to Shrinking, Curb Your Enthusiasm to Emmerdale, Parkinson's only occasionally makes it to screens (big or small). On today's Movers and Shakers, the gang gather in the Notting Hill pub to discuss the representation of Parkinson's across film and TV. Is there enough Parkinson's? Is it done well? And how could it be improved – both in quantity and quality? Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and...

What times do you take your Parkinson's medication? Some people are regular as clockwork – morning, lunchtime, evening – while others work to a more erratic schedule. However and whenever you usually take your meds, that system is likely to be disrupted in hospital. On this episode of Movers and Shakers, the gang gather at the Notting Hill pub to sort through the challenges of keeping up your medication regimen in hospital, and are joined by some fabulous guests who are revolutionising the...

The benefits system can feel, at times, like an unnavigable maze, especially for people with Parkinson's whose conditions are so varied and fluctuate so regularly. On today's episode of Movers & Shakers, the gang gather in the pub to try and put the benefits system on trial (at least, that's what The Judge does). From PIP payments to Universal Credit, how much support is there really for people struggling financial under the pressures of Parkinson's? And does the system, at present, do...

Palliative care: two words that strike fear into most people. But are we thinking about palliative care all wrong? On this week's episode of Movers and Shakers, we're in the pub and discussing how to approach conversations about care that goes beyond the merely curative. The Movers and Shakers are joined by a palliative care consultant for this part of the discussion, and then a tip-top High Court judge to look at how you can make legal provisions to prepare yourself, and your family, for any...

Due to a failure of imagination within the Movers & Shakers team, we've somehow allowed Rory to do a second episode all about Parkinson's technology. But don't fear! He's come to the pub equipped with the latest in life-saving, high-tech bling, along with some top guests who are responsible for developing the next generation of life-saving (or life-changing) technology. But are these products more hype than hope? And will the NHS ever start to reward Britain's brilliant innovators? Listen...

The Movers and Shakers are back in the pub and this week they're staring fear square in the eyes, and talking about a major fear: cognitive decline. What is the difference between Parkinsonian dementia and Alzheimer's? How does Parkinson's impact your chances of getting dementia? And when does forgetting your keys, of the neighbour's son's wife's surname, stop simply being a function of getting older? To answer all these questions, and provide practical tips for keeping the brain fit and...

From high-octane skiing to walking football – via table tennis lessons and golf's Pakinson's mulligan – the Movers and Shakers have plenty of experience with the world of sports. But with such a mixed ability group, are they getting the most out of the sporting offerings of the Parkinson's community? And what does taking up a sport offer, socially, in addition to the obvious fitness benefits? For this episode of Movers and Shakers, we're joined by a host of sporting luminaries, from the...

The Movers and Shakers are back in the pub and, at Paul's insistence, they're discussing the embarrassing bits of the Parkinson's experience. From issues in the bathroom to troubles in the bedroom, we'll be giving voice to the side of Parkinson's that's rarely discussed. We'll also be checking in with a couple who had a unique experience with Parkinson's medication, and we have an appearance in the pub by Paul's Parkinson's nurse, Jo. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar,...

The Movers and Shakers are back in the pub to kickstart series 3! And what better way to mark this new beginning than by picking up where the last series left off: with the attempt to write a charter for Parkinson's care in the UK. The gang have been speaking to international Parkinson's groups and collating your thoughts and recommendations, and they're here to announce the BIG FIVE charter commitments that they'll be taking to Downing Street. They're also joined in the pub by Caroline...

Before season three starts next month, we wanted to bring you an update on the marvellous brain of Paul Mayhew-Archer, which is now partially electrified. At the end of last year, Paul underwent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) a procedure that Gillian has previously undergone. Now, at the start of 2024, he's had the electrodes switched on. So what impact is the DBS having on Paul? How optimistic does he feel for the future? And what do the other Movers and Shakers make of a procedure that...

On this, the final episode of series 2 of Movers and Shakers, we're gathering at Casa Lacey-Solymar for mince pieces, sherry, and an important discussion about what can be done to help people with Parkinson's across the country. In the coming months, we'll be drawing up the Parky Charter and presenting it to the government, offering them actionable suggestions for improving the lives of Parkinson's patients. In this episode, the group discuss and debate the format the charter should take....

Ho ho ho, the Movers and Shakers are back – but this time they're not in the pub but in Gillian's Hampstead home. For this episode, the penultimate instalment of the series, the gang are answering your letters and emails. How did Paul's DBS surgery go? Does the Judge speak French? And will Jeremy get into bass fishing? Find out on this special Christmas mailbag edition of Movers and Shakers. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas...