BBC visit highlights Ormesby TTC Parkinson’s sessions

September 23, 2025 | Paul Stimpson

A session at Ormesby TTC, which is transforming the lives of people with Parkinsonâ€s, has been featured by the BBC.

The regionâ€s flagship news programme BBC Look North (North East & Cumbria) visited the club in Middlesbrough to film a segment, which went out on the programme last week.

There is also an accompanying feature on the BBC website here.

The weekly sessions at Ormesby were set up by Lynn Tearse, who approached the club after reading about the health benefits of the sport for those with Parkinsonâ€s.

Lynn told the BBC reporter: “It makes us so proud when people say the club has transformed their lives.â€

Players Julie Norris and Andy Murray were also interviewed for the feature, with Julie describing the session as “a lifesaverâ€, and Andy saying: “This is a statement of defiance. Weâ€re all saying weâ€re not going to give into this disease.

Four members of the club will be competing at the World Parkinsonâ€s Championships in Sweden at the end of November.

How table tennis can help people with Parkinsonâ€s

Research and feedback continue to demonstrate that people with Parkinsonâ€s who regularly play our sport experience an improvement in their symptoms.

While regular exercise of any kind is beneficial, there are particular benefits to playing table tennis, thought to be linked to the fact that table tennis is not only aerobic, but requires fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and balance, and stimulates various parts of the brain.

A growing number of sessions are being organised across the country, and as part of our work with Parkinsonâ€s UK, we are helping clubs and other venues be more inclusive for people with Parkinsonâ€s, as well as helping club coaches and volunteers feel confident to support this inclusion.

Table Tennis England has produced a toolkit which provides guidance on setting up sessions to help people with the condition – click here to download it.

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