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...

The Movers and Shakers are back in the Notting Hill pub – this time with no fewer than THREE guests – to discuss one of the positive side effects of the condition: a burst of creativity. From Salvador Dalí to our own Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Parkinson's has been fuel to the creative fire. So how can we all better channel that urge to create? Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman. Produced and edited by Nick...

The Movers and Shakers are back in the Notting Hill pub to talk about the inadvertent and unwanted byproducts of their medication. Bad side effects range from motor disorders to impulsivity disorders. Are we being properly warned about the risks of our medicines? And how can we control some of the more debilitating side effects? The gang are joined by Professor Alastair Noyce to get his take on the thorny world of negative side effects. Spoiler alert: we'll be back next week discussing the...

This week, the Movers and Shakers – minus a holidaying Jeremy – are joined by their children. What's it like to see a parent diagnosed? How does it change the family dynamics? And how do expectations about the future colour the present moment? Join the Movers and Shakers for a heartwarming and revealing chat with their nearest and dearests – and hopefully this inspires some conversations among the families of our listeners. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell,...

As listeners to Movers and Shakers over the past year will know, Paul Mayhew-Archer has been on the waiting list for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. Finally, the time has come for Paul to head to the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, to have a touch of brain surgery. But will it all run smoothly? This is the first part of what we hope will be a two-part audio diary, as Paul prepares for the operation and faces up to the challenges and uncertainties that surround it. Presented by Rory...

The Movers and Shakers are back in the Notting Hill pub for a pint of bitter and a Scotch egg. Wait, what's that? The Scotch egg is off the menu due to its high protein content? Jeremy won't be pleased... This week we're talking about diet: from omelettes to avocados, milk chocolate to kimchi. What makes your Parkinsons worse and what could possibly make it better? The gang are joined by top expert Dr Lucia Batzu to field all their questions on what they should eat, when they should eat it...

Now for something somewhat different: the Movers and Shakers are back in the Notting Hill pub, except they've been replaced by their partners. Wives and husband (singular) gather round the microphones to talk about the flip-side of the Parkinson's equation. How does the condition impact our loved ones? How does it change the balance of a relationship? And what does it mean when you go from "partner" to "carer"? Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul...

This week the Movers and Shakers are decamping from the Notting Hill pub and heading to... Birmingham! There, Gillian, Paul and Mark are joined by top bods from Parkinson's UK to talk about the pressing issues facing Parkinson's fundraising, and discuss a new idea for a patients' charter. They also take questions and observations from listeners. With Caroline Rassell, CEO of Parkinson's UK, and Gary Shaughnessy. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul...

The Movers and Shakers are back in the Notting Hill pub and this time they're discussing something close to the hearts of broadcasters, comedians and barristers alike: the human voice. The impact of Parkinson's – and its treatments – on the voice is well established, but what can be done to mitigate these issues? And how can we avoid allowing communication to dry up entirely in the fact of increased pressures and difficulties? Well, the gang have roped in an expert speech therapist to walk...

Not to put too fine a point on it, but finding out you have Parkinson's can be kind of a big deal. So how do physicians impart that new reality? And how do they maintain their "bedside manner" through the treatment process? The Movers and Shakers are back in the Notting Hill pub, discussing all things to do with how the clinical environment is approached, by practitioners ranging from consultants through to nurses and physios. And they're joined by top guests representing the worlds of...

The Movers and Shakers are back in the pub and this week they're talking about the challenges of deal with Parkinson's while living alone. How much do we rely on others for practical and emotional help? And what services and hacks are available to those without live-in companionship? To help expand their perspectives, Paul ropes in Nick and Sally from the Oxford branch of Parkinson's UK to help shine line on the challenges and solutions. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar,...