Parky in the Park
26-28 june 2026
An event to inspire, educate and encourage attendees to live well with their Young Onset Parkinson’s.
THE FIRST OF IT’S KIND
(that we know of!)
Big Sky Hideaway and Parkinson’s UK are working on something truly special.
Parky in the Park will bring together experts in Parkinson’s research, wellbeing workshops and Parkinson’s Local Advisers. As well as non-Parkinson’s specific skills workshops for people to push their boundaries and try something new like bushcraft, creative crafts, music, and other activities.
Our hope is that everyone leaves feeling supported and well informed as so many young people with Parkinson’s remain isolated. We will also be raising funds to support more activities for young people with Parkinson’s across the UK.
Please read the whole page and if you have any questions about the event, email Eleanor at Parkinson’s UK…
ticket options
tickets go on sale at 12noon on 24th April
The gates open at 4pm on Friday 26th June 2026 and the weekend will come to a close by 2pm on Sunday 28th June.
All full weekend tickets include tent camping only and you bring your own camping gear.
If you would like to book a glamping accommodation or campervan pitch, these are separate additional tickets allocated on a first come, first served basis. Remember to add glamping to your basket!
Saturday only day tickets are also available for adults and children - these do not include accommodation.
There is a bar on site for hot & cold drinks and we’ll be running a Shake ‘n’ Bake stall to raise money and fill your tummy with tasty snacks baked by volunteers.
Please note that food is not included in your ticket but there will be vendors on site each day. You are also welcome to self-cater throughout the weekend. If you require a specific diet, we recommend bringing food with you.
Please note the site is grass and gravel - although it is a flat landscape, there may be some uneven ground.
accommodation options
Living well with your Parkinson’s includes making sure that you are comfortable… but you can also try something a little more adventurous! We have options for everyone.
Before making your booking, please make sure to read our terms and conditions, as well as familiarising yourself with the onsite facilities and accommodation so you choose the best option for you.
We know that camping might not be suitable for everyone or you might just prefer traditional accommodation: there are plenty of Air BnBs and hotels local to Brothertoft if you would prefer to stay offsite.
Approximately 14,500 people are living with YOPD in the UK. Many people think Parkinson’s is just a tremor, but it’s much more. There are over 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety. Some are treatable, but the drugs can have serious side effects. It gets worse over time and there’s no cure. Yet.
That’s why we’re here. Parkinson’s UK are here for everyone affected by Parkinson’s.
Your hosts
Dave & Emms moved to Lincolnshire in December 2020. They evolved from living on a 45ft houseboat in the bustle of Central London to managing 15 acres, growing a herd of alpacas, planting thousands of trees and developing an off-grid haven for people to enjoy getting back to nature - they created Big Sky.
In 2024 on Emms’ 37th birthday, they received a letter informing them that she had a positive DAT Scan result - she had Parkinson’s.
Since then Emms discovered a supportive online group of strangers that would soon become friends, none of whom had ever met each other in person, even those who had been in the group for years. Em decided to change that and bring those connections to life.
In May 2025, Em and Dave invited that online young onset Parkinson’s community, along with the local Parkinson’s UK team for a gathering at their campsite for an afternoon of tea, cake and getting to know each other. 30 people attended from all over the UK - from Scotland to Devon! Some just visited for the afternoon, some came alone, others brought their families and enjoyed camping for the weekend.
A real community was formed and friendships began to flourish.
They shared stories, personal wins and plans for the future but most of all - they laughed.
It was such a positive event filled with hopes and optimism that everyone went away wanting more events in the future, and that was only from an afternoon with tea and cake! Imagine if we made it a whole weekend, invited more young people with Parkinson’s and put on a full programme of talks, workshops and fun new things to try… well, now we are…
Parky in the Park
Em created a fortnightly online support group in the form of the YOPD TeaBreak and the Late Lounge. It is from that online group and the YOPD Gathering that the concept for Parky in the Park was born and so was the brand new Young Onset Collective Activity Group.
If you have any questions about the event, email Eleanor at Parkinson’s UK…
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
166,000 people in the UK are currently living with Parkinson’s, and it’s degenerative, so it will only get worse.
Most people with the condition are aged 50 or over, but it affects people of all ages.
1 in 16 people with Parkinson’s were under 50 when they received a diagnosis. Over 1 in 3 were of working age (under 67).