A woman who has seen the effects of Parkinson’s disease within her own family has brought an internationally recognised boxing programme to Essex.
Nikki Faber, 48, who lives in Weeley, launched Rock Steady Boxing at Access Dignity Care in Walton in July, alongside her daughter Savanna Collins-Faber.
The voluntary initiative offers specially adapted boxing sessions designed to help people with Parkinson’s improve their strength, balance, coordination and overall wellbeing.
Nikki, who works as a manager at Access Dignity Care, as well as being a swimming teacher, was inspired to get involved after visiting family in Canada last year, where she watched a relative attend a Rock Steady Boxing class.
Having seen the effects of Parkinson’s on her grandad, as well as other family members, she was particularly interested in the benefits of the programme.
She said: “I went along and thought, ‘This is amazing’. There were around 35 people in the class and I stood and watched all these people doing more than I could do.
“After a couple of weeks, it was clear to see the classes was benefiting them all in so many ways.”
Determined to bring the initiative to Essex, Nikki began looking into the training and affiliation needed to establish her own group.
Following the death of her great aunt in February, Nikki used money left to her to fund the necessary courses in Liverpool and get the programme started.
With the help of her daughter Savanna and friend Bert, who supported the sports training, the group officially launched on July 23 and began holding classes in August.
Rock Steady Boxing has been running for around 20 years and has approximately 850 units worldwide, with Nikki's group becoming the second in England, alongside one in Liverpool.
Sessions take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 11am to midday, with the first two weeks free and each class thereafter costing £7.
The sessions feature warm-ups and a series of activity stations focusing on areas including balance, stability, coordination and brain function, before participants move on to boxing exercises using pads and punch bags.
However, Nikki is keen to stress that the initiative is about much more than physical exercise.
The group has developed into a community, with members keeping in touch through WhatsApp, building friendships and enjoying refreshments and a chat after sessions.
Guest speakers are also invited along.
Nikki said: “It’s not just a fitness class. It’s a community.
“We listen to our members and try to accommodate things they’re struggling with. People have built friendships through the group, particularly the carers.”
Working alongside the University of Essex’s Wellbeing Centre, Nikki hopes to raise awareness of the group and encourage more people to attend.
Everyone is offered a free assessment before joining, including an hour-long conversation and physical assessment to establish which group is most suitable.
Nikki added: “There are so many people with Parkinson’s and I think that’s something people don’t realise. People think it’s an old person’s disease, but it’s not.
“My dream would be to have my own little space to do Rock Steady every day, where we can offer something different and have nurses and doctors come in to make it work for people.
“I’m doing this out of love. I’m doing this because I care. I don’t even want gratitude - I just want people to know Rock Steady is here.”
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