Goodenough College PowerHouseGames 2025
We returned to Goodenough College on Saturday 1st March for a PowerHouseGames with a difference. The forty residents and students, with their friends, played five games in the Great Hall, and learnt all about inclusive and adapted sports.
The College, “London’s finest post-graduate community”, has a core purpose of building international understanding. Quite a few among the 700 residents have never played inclusive sports, not played with people from other races, faiths and even gender, so our PowerHouseGames showcased a way to work together.
Ten teams of four battled it out (in a friendly manner) over boccia, new age kurling, goalball and sitting volleyball. There was much laughter, hilarity and smiles. We finished with a giant game of sitting netball.
Hamza Buhari said:
“Taking part in the Power2Inspire PowerHouseGames was an incredible experience — one that was both fun and deeply inspiring. The event truly lived up to its motto, “No one left on the bench,” as every activity was designed to ensure full inclusion, proving how easily sports can be modified to accommodate everyone.
One of the most eye-opening aspects of the day was realising how small adjustments—such as teaming up or adapting the rules—can make games accessible to all. Goalball, for example, required a level of trust and teamwork that made it especially rewarding. Sitting netball, on the other hand, was pure chaotic fun! With everyone on the floor, the energy in the room was electric, and the experience was both motivational and educational.
Beyond the games themselves, the true highlight of the day was the sense of camaraderie and shared joy between participants, volunteers, and organisers. Sport has a unique ability to bring people together, and the PowerHouseGames showcased that in the best possible way.
A huge thank you to Power2Inspire and all those who made the event possible. I left feeling not just entertained but inspired—and I can’t wait for the next one!”
And Marcio Fonseca said:
“I had the immense honour of participating in the Power2Inspire PowerHouseGames at Goodenough College, a truly memorable experience. As a professional athlete, I’ve competed in several tournaments around the world, but I’ve been amazed at how intense, competitive, and at the same time fun the PowerHouseGames are. What makes this event even more special is its inclusive nature: everyone can participate, regardless of experience level or physical condition. More than just a competition, PowerHouseGames represent the best that sport has to offer: overcoming, team spirit, fair play and, above all, the celebration of diversity. In the end, there is nothing to pay for the joy stamped on the faces of the participants and the strong sense of community experienced throughout the event.”
Thanks to Paul Chatfield, Chris Smith and Lindsay Dodsworth, my wife and a trustee of the College, for volunteering. But the biggest thanks go to Alan McCormack, the Dean, and Charley Light, who did all the cajoling!
These games have already spawned one more – the Care City Games in December 2024 – and we have high hopes for more. If any alumni would like to explore taking a PowerHouseGames home, please get in touch.
What are PowerHouseGames?
PowerHouseGames are incredible sports days using adapted games and sports, with activities designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, old and young, with disabilities and none, sporty and not. Participants are encouraged to test their beliefs about ability and disability and what it is to be different, to learn to respect other people’s differences, and Power2Inspire works with them to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Would your university sports team, or school love to be involved in a PowerHouseGames? Could your company support our mission by volunteering at one of our PowerHouseGames? If so, then we would love to hear from you. We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
All photos used with permission.
BBC Radio Cambs at the Thousand Mile Challenge
From Monday, November 4th, to Friday, November 8th, 2024, radio presenters and BBC colleagues from radio, TV, and online platforms united to swim a collective 1,000 miles for Children in Need – a monumental fundraising effort!
Power2Inspire went along to see what it was all about.
What exactly is the Thousand Mile Challenge?
BBC Children in Need Ambassadors, including four-time Olympic medallist Rebecca
Adlington and British World Champion Mark Foster, have lent their support and encouragement, inspiring participants every step (or stroke) of the way.
Our Founder and Chief Ambassador, John Willis, headed down to support the swimmers from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s team and keep morale high. He emphasized that, when the swim gets tough, focusing on the beneficiaries, the children, and using that motivation to power through fatigue and mental barriers will allow the swimmers to prevail!
“Every stroke you take will be helpful to them,”
John fondly recounted how a disabled young boy once described his own unique swimming style as “star jumping in water” – a wonderful way to describe it, and another reminder of how tackling challenges inspires so many!
Gemma Stevenson, one of the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenters and a supporter of Power2Inspire, was among those swimming during John’s visit. She was duly cheered on from the sideline! Having supported various community and charity events, Gemma’s participation highlighted her ongoing commitment to making a difference.
Shout-out to Emma Borley, another great supporter of Power2Inspire, who was also part of the 24-mile swim. These efforts are pivotal to the BBC’s challenge and collective push to raise funds that make a tangible impact on children’s lives across the UK.
Gemma Stevenson, P2I supporter and challenge swimmer!
The success of this massive swim hinges on support from the public. Every contribution counts and brings the challenge closer to its goal. You can make a difference by donating any amount online. Click the button here.
We would also encourage everyone to make sure to tune into BBC Radio Cambridgeshire or other BBC radio stations for updates on the 1,000-mile swim challenge!
Well done to all the swimmers – you guys are incredible!
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you would like to support us in our mission to “embed inclusive sport in the sporting, education and community landscapes” then we would love to hear from you. We are always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. Click the button here to find out more.
CU Cricket Club PowerHouseGames 2023
Well I couldn’t have asked for a better all-round team for leading my first PowerHouseGames.
What a wonderful, joyous occasion Friday was!
Power2Inspire teamed-up with the University of Cambridge Cricket Club, led by the fantastic Priyanka Patel, for their fourth PowerHouseGames at the Cambridge University Sports Centre. The students came out in force for an early Friday morning session and were absolutely brilliant, getting fully involved with all the schoolchildren and activities.
We were also thrilled to team up with illumina for the first time. Illumina are a global biotechnology company with offices in Cambridge and have a fantastic Employee Resource Group called Unique that brought together 18 diverse volunteers who took a corporate charity day to come and be part of our PowerHouseGames. And they were marvellous! Adapting the games to suit the children in their groups, encouraging them at every turn and ensuring everyone had loads of fun. We can’t wait to work together with them again in the future.
The Perse and Netherhall Schools brought students from across the secondary year groups and Castle Special school brought students from across their Pre-formal, Semi-formal and Formal education groups. They were all amazing. It was such a privilege to spend Friday morning hanging out with all these participants playing inclusive, adapted sports at our latest PowerHouseGames. You can see from the photos below the smiles and infectious laughter that carried us through the day.
With our Chief Ambassador and Founder, John Willis, taking a well-deserved family holiday it was down to me to help co-ordinate the day. I have to say that I was a little nervous coming in to run what is such a big event with around 80 people involved, but the team were incredible. I couldn’t have done it without the brilliant David Ellis, Steve Shaw, Paul Sanwell, Mark Slater, Ellis Maloney and Richard Hill as well as the illumina and CUCC volunteers. I was certainly given the best possible team to work with. Thank you all!
If the smiles and the hall resounding with laughter weren’t enough, then the comments from the school students suggest they really were having the best time:
Rosabel from The Perse said:
“I loved the experience so much and think it should definitely happen every year! It was brilliant to see a group of strangers get along so well and be so encouraging to everyone. I loved getting to know all the people in my group and everyone was so kind and friendly, and it was really interesting to find out everyone’s school, university, or job. The games were so much fun, and I especially loved the football which was very funny watching people speed walk. I would 100% do it again and the whole day I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing and I overall absolutely loved it!”
And these comments from students at Netherhall seem to back her up:
“It was a great day where people from everywhere got together to enjoy sport. I had so much fun learning new sports and being part of a supportive team.”
“I really enjoyed the energy and joy everyone put into all the activities, and it made it very exciting. I especially liked the walking football and seated netball as they were very fun. The whole thing felt very inclusive.”
“I really liked today because we got to work with new people including people from different schools which was nice. Also, we got to enjoy lots of new sports and ones I have never played before.”
“The day was very fun and well thought out. It was inclusive and fun. It was a fun experiencing new sports that everyone can take part in, and it was fun playing with other schools and people.”
What a fantastic testament to the whole vision and purpose of our PowerHouseGames!
A special mention has to be made of Priyanka Patel (pictured right in the photo of all the CUCC volunteers here). She has helped run a PowerHouseGames with the University Cricket Club every year of her time at Cambridge. What a superstar! Power2Inspire wishes you all the very best for your future.
Here’s what she had to say about how much she’s treasured PowerHouseGames over the past 4 years:
“Working with Power2Inspire through four PowerHouseGames has been one of my favourite things about my entire university experience. With a huge variety of people brought together over innovative games, from boccia and curling to goalball and table cricket, every experience has been unique but just as great as the last. I will never get tired of seeing the joy on all the kids’ faces as they immediately work together to accommodate each other’s differences without losing their competitive spirit. Every year our CUCC volunteers rave about how much fun they had, and I hope the tradition of CUCC PowerHouseGames continues far into the future!”
What are PowerHouseGames?
PowerHouseGames are incredible sports days using adapted games and sports, with activities designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, old and young, with disabilities and none, sporty and not. Participants are encouraged to test their beliefs about ability and disability and what it is to be different, to learn to respect other people’s differences, and Power2Inspire works with them to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Would your university sports team, or school love to be involved in a PowerHouseGames? Could your company support our mission by volunteering at one of our PowerHouseGames? If so, then we would love to hear from you. We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
With special thanks to Paul Sanwell of OP Photography for his fantastic photography on the day. All photos used with permission
New Trustee role announced
Power2Inspire are seeking to recruit new Trustees, who will also be Members and Directors of the Company. Election is for a three-year term.
Power2Inspire info
Power2Inspire is a small and young, but dynamic, charity which stages adapted and inclusive sporting events. Our inspirational Chief Executive and Founder, who was born without fully formed arms and legs, was also born passionate about sport. Frustrated that as a child and teenager he could not play sports with his friends, he founded the charity whose Vision is that no-one should be left on the bench. In other words, everyone should have the opportunity to participate in sport (regardless of body type, sex, age, disability, religion or ethnicity) and the opportunity to do so together.
Our Mission is to embed inclusive sport in the sporting, education and community landscapes and we seek to do this through a variety of events, mainly for children and young people.
Trustee role
We would expect an applicant to share the charity’s vision and to have a strong interest in sport and a desire to make a difference to wellbeing, especially that of disabled people.
You will need to be able to dedicate at least two days a quarter (eight days a year) to the charity, made up of an evening at a board meeting, reading and preparation for that meeting, some administrative tasks (e.g. commenting on policy) in between meetings, and attendance at some of our events (based largely in Cambridge and the Eastern Region). Trustees are expected to take part in a number of the charity’s events each year.
An applicant would ideally have skills and experience in one (or more) of the following areas, although we welcome applications from any candidates who wish to share their experience and expertise in any area:
- Disability sport
- Safeguarding
- Data protection & Databases
- Finances, including gift aid & Treasury
- Lived experience around Inclusion, Diversity and Equality
- Encouraging children and young people to participate in sport
Trustee requirements
- To ensure that Power2Inspire complies at all times with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation
- To maintain proper financial control and accountability
- To set and maintain the vision, mission and values of the charity
- To develop with the executive the strategy for the charity
- To oversee employment procedures, policies and their implementation
- To safeguard the good name of Power2Inspire and to promote the charity
- To act in the best interests of the charity, never in the interests of yourself or another organisation
Ready to apply?
We envisage interviews to take place week beginning 21 June with final candidates to be invited to either our Festival of Inclusive Tennis (Saturday 3 July) or Super Sensory 1km (Sunday 11 July) as the final stage of appointment process, before confirming appointments by close of play Wednesday 14 July 2021.
To apply, please email a copy of your CV and covering letter to the Chair of Trustees, Jeremy Macklin.
For informal enquiries about the role, please email CEO, John Willis.
The Run Everyone 2021 Totals!
We did it! We’ve come to the end of Team #Power2InspireUK’s inclusive Run Everyone event: 31 days of running, walking, wheeling and more! Together we’ve raised over £4,000 and as a team travelled 3,758km.
Power2InspireUK competed alongside 106 other teams as part of Cambridge Half Marathon’s Run Everyone event this March, coming in 15th overall. Shout out to the winning team, the No Drama Llama Runners, mainly because that is the best team name I’ve ever heard, but also because between them they travelled 26,370km!
Our inspirational Founder and CEO, John Willis, set himself the challenge of walking a half marathon over the course of March, and in the end ‘waddled’ 29.5kms. This was 20 laps of the garden every day, and a bonus 2kms playing a round of golf at Cambridge Lakes golf course.
“It was really useful having the simple target of 20 laps every day to keep me moving because I know that it’s really important for me as a disabled person to keep the exercise up,” John said. “It was also really helpful to know there was a team of others doing it; Rosie doing her wheelchair spins every day, and others including Morris and Massimo who’ve come out and run for Power2Inspire.”
It was a tight competition for longest distance among the P2I team: Morris de Bortoli just pipped Richard Laybourne and Scott Annett to the top of our leaderboard. He ran 426km during March, which is a fantastic achievement.
And with generous donations from Jeremy, Mark, Morris and many others, we’re close to reaching our target of raising £5,000. Your donations will go towards putting on PowerHouseGames in schools once we’re out of lockdown and supporting our Festivals of Inclusive Sport this summer. So far we’ve got cricket, tennis, golf, boccia and badminton festivals in the works – confirmed details below with more to come!
Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and supported Power2Inspire through the Run Everyone challenge. It’s been so much fun to work together to promote inclusive sport, and keep an eye out for future inclusive challenges!