Parkinson's UK

What Parkinson's UK does

Parkinson's UK is a registered charity (England and Wales no. 258197; Scotland no. SC037554) founded in 1969 and headquartered at 50 Broadway, London, operating as a company limited by guarantee. It is the only major UK charity dedicated solely to supporting people affected by Parkinson's disease, serving an addressable population of more than 166,000 people living with the condition in the UK. The organization operates a horizontal support model across four persona segments: people with Parkinson's, carers and family members, healthcare professionals, and the general donor and volunteer public.

The charity's core service portfolio comprises a Drupal-based information website, a free national helpline (0808 800 0303) staffed by trained advisers and specialist Parkinson's nurses, a Discourse-powered online community forum, a network of more than 300 local groups, a research funding programme, the Excellence Network for healthcare professionals, an e-commerce shop (built on Shopify with Braintree/Stripe/Elavon payments), and a magazine. Two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Parkinson's Research Ventures Limited (IP licensing and research commissioning) and Parkinson's UK Sales Limited (merchandise and event trading), formalize adjacent revenue and IP activities. The technology stack is predominantly off-the-shelf: Drupal CMS, Cloudflare security, Google Analytics and Hotjar for behaviour analytics, and standard third-party integrations (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, ShareThis, Microsoft Advertising).

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of voluntary donations and fundraising (including legacies and recurring giving), membership subscriptions, merchandise and daily living aids sales through the Parkinson's UK Shop, and event registration fees. The organization is supported by strategic partnerships with British Judo, TGA Mobility, the Walking Football Association, Forestry England, and academic partners (University of Hertfordshire, Anglia Ruskin University). Leadership comprises CEO Caroline Rassell, Director of Research Arthur Roach, Director of Digital Transformation and Communication Julie Dodd, and Head of Shared Adviser Services Kiran Chohan.

Name

Parkinson's UK

Legal name

Parkinson's Disease Society of the United Kingdom

Website

https://parkinsons.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Parkinson's UK is the UK's leading charity dedicated to Parkinson's disease, providing information, a national helpline, an online forum, over 300 local groups, research funding, and professional networks to people with Parkinson's, carers, and healthcare professionals across the United Kingdom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neurological Disease Charity Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Movement Disorders (Parkinson’s, Tremor, Dystonia) (HLAKAIAC), Caregiver Support, Coaching & Training (HLADALAG), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

Keywords

• Parkinson's disease support
• Neurological charity services
• Medical research funding
• Patient helpline services
• Carer support programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and fundraising: Voluntary donations from supporters, including one-time and recurring donations. Fundraising events, challenges, and appeals. Legacies and bequests. Online donation facility via Braintree.
2. Membership: Membership subscriptions providing member benefits, governance participation, and engagement opportunities.
3. Merchandise and shop sales: Sale of daily living aids, Christmas cards, stationery, general gift items, and merchandise through the Parkinson's UK shop (operated via Parkinson's UK Sales Limited subsidiary).
4. Event registration fees: Registration fees for events, walks, challenges and activities. Processed through Stripe payment provider.

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Parkinson's UK is a UK charity that delivers specialist information, practical and emotional support, and research funding for people affected by Parkinson's disease. Its core offering combines a comprehensive website and information resources, a free helpline staffed by trained advisers and specialist Parkinson's nurses, a network of over 300 local support groups, an online community forum, research funding programmes, professional networks for healthcare staff, and a charity shop selling daily-living aids and merchandise.

Product overview

Parkinson's UK operates as a charitable organization offering a unified support ecosystem rather than a software product with modules. The core offering comprises the main website (www.parkinsons.org.uk) providing information resources, a helpline staffed by trained advisers including specialist Parkinson's nurses, and the Parkinson's UK Forum (powered by Discourse) for peer support. These are complemented by a network of over 300 local groups for in-person connection, research funding programs, the Excellence Network for health professionals, an online shop, the annual Move for Nurses fundraising campaign, Par-Con community events, World Parkinson's Day awareness activities, and the Parkinson's UK Magazine. The portfolio works together to provide end-to-end support from diagnosis through ongoing management of Parkinson's.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parkinson's UK Website and Information Resources Primary digital platform providing comprehensive information and resources about Parkinson's disease, including symptoms, treatments, drugs, healthcare, money and legal matters, equipment and technology, travel, work, friends/family/relationships, and daily living. Acts as the main hub for accessing the charity's support services and educational materials.
• Helpline and Adviser Services Free, confidential telephone and email support service staffed by trained advisers including specialist Parkinson's nurses. Provides information and advice on medical issues, employment, benefits, health and social care, emotional support, and local activities, and can connect users to local Parkinson's advisers for in-depth support.
• Parkinson's UK Forum Online community forum where people with Parkinson's and their carers can connect, share experiences, and support each other. Includes categories for research discussions, daily life topics, ways to take control, carers and family support, young onset Parkinson's, and social and creative content.
• Local Groups and Activities Network of over 300 local groups throughout the UK that run meetings, activities, and social gatherings. Provides in-person peer support and social connection for people affected by Parkinson's and their families.
• Research Funding and Participation Programmes funding Parkinson's research and offering opportunities for people with Parkinson's to take part in research studies. Includes Parkinson's Research Ventures, which funds innovative research projects in the Parkinson's indication through intellectual property licensing and research commissioning.
• Excellence Network Professional network providing networking, resources, learning, and information for health and care professionals working with people with Parkinson's, including a learning hub, specialist resources, and regional specialist groups.
• Parkinson's UK Online Shop E-commerce platform selling daily living aids, Christmas cards, stationery, general gift items, and products to support people with Parkinson's. Payments processed by Elavon secure payment provider.
• Parkinson's UK Magazine Regular publication providing news, features, and practical advice for the Parkinson's community. Available both in print and digital formats.
• Move for Nurses Campaign Annual fundraising campaign encouraging supporters to be active for 25 minutes every day in July to help fund 25 Parkinson's nurses. Combines physical activity (such as pilates, paddleboarding, walking, or weightlifting) with fundraising for specialist nursing care.
• Par-Con Annual Community Event Annual community gathering bringing together people affected by Parkinson's for connection, learning, and celebration.
• World Parkinson's Day Annual awareness event held on 11 April to raise visibility and understanding of Parkinson's disease globally.

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved mobility, balance, and quality of life for participants in specialist exercise programmes
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TGA Mobility LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership between TGA Mobility Limited and Parkinson's UK. TGA manufactures mobility scooters and has partnered with Parkinson's UK to support accessibility initiatives, including a planned 2026 walking event at Wendover Woods expected to attract around 500 participants. The partnership helps make outdoor spaces accessible for people with Parkinson's.
• British JudocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the 'Finding your Feet' fall prevention programme which teaches judo-based falling techniques to reduce injury risk for older people and those with conditions such as Parkinson's. The programme was originally developed by academics at the University of Hertfordshire and Anglia Ruskin University. Funded in part by Parkinson's UK.
• Walking Football AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Walking Football Association and Portishead Town FC to organize walking football events for people with Parkinson's, including the first South West Parkinson's walking football festival.
• Forestry EnglandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForestry England acquired off-road mobility scooters for Wendover Woods in Buckinghamshire, making the 370-hectare forest accessible to visitors with mobility difficulties. TGA Mobility's partnership with Parkinson's UK will support a planned 2026 walking event at the forest.
• University of HertfordshirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner that originally developed the 'Finding your Feet' judo-based fall prevention programme alongside Anglia Ruskin University. Programme teaches falling techniques to reduce injury risk.
• Anglia Ruskin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner that originally developed the 'Finding your Feet' judo-based fall prevention programme alongside University of Hertfordshire. Programme teaches falling techniques to reduce injury risk.
• Portishead Town FCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFootball club that hosted the first South West Parkinson's walking football festival in partnership with Parkinson's UK and the Walking Football Association.
• Hingham Sports CentreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue for Specialized Pickleball for Parkinson's sessions in Norfolk, UK, where measurable improvements in participants' mobility, balance, and quality of life have been reported. Programme is recognised by Parkinson's UK.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• British Heart Foundation: One of the UK's largest health charities, with retail chains, research funding, and a national footprint. Comparable as a multi-channel UK health charity of substantially greater scale competing for the same donor pool.
• Cancer Research UK: Largest UK research charity by income, with a national fundraising and retail operation. Comparable as a dominant UK health-research charity that competes with Parkinson's UK for unrestricted and legacy giving.
• Alzheimer's Society: Largest UK dementia charity, operating a national helpline, local services, and a major research programme. Comparable as a UK disease-specific charity model with similar scale, multi-channel fundraising, and clinical advice line.
• MS Society: UK charity supporting people with multiple sclerosis via local groups, helpline, and research grants. Same structural template as Parkinson's UK (helpline + local groups + research) for a different chronic neurological condition.
• Motor Neurone Disease Association: UK charity for people with motor neurone disease, providing care services, local branches, and research funding. Comparable operating model and beneficiary profile (progressive neurological condition) to Parkinson's UK.
• Alzheimer's Research UK: UK charity dedicated to dementia research funding and public engagement. Closest UK analogue on the 'research-led' subset of Parkinson's UK's mission, competing for neuroscience research-donor mindshare.

Direct peers

• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: Largest private funder of Parkinson's research globally, with an active patient-engagement and clinical-trials platform. Closest peer on the research-funding side, and increasingly on the patient-data and digital tools side.
• Parkinson's Foundation: US-based national Parkinson's disease charity funding research and delivering support, education, and advocacy. Direct functional peer to Parkinson's UK, operating the same integrated support-and-research model in a different geography.
• Cure Parkinson's: UK-registered charity focused on funding clinical trials aimed at disease modification in Parkinson's. Directly competes with Parkinson's UK for research-donor pounds and research-grant influence within the UK.

Regional players

• Epilepsy Society: UK-based charity supporting people with epilepsy through information, helpline, and research. Smaller-scope peer with similar integrated support-and-research model for a different chronic neurological condition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/parkinsonsuk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/parkinsonsUK
• Facebookfacebook.com/parkinsonsuk
• Instagraminstagram.com/parkinsonsuk/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/parkinsons-uk

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments11 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Parkinson's UK