SS1K - Reminiscences, Regrets & Hopes
Sunday 17th May was due to have been the day we held our third SuperSensory1K at Histon Rec. Sadly, we had to cancel it when the country entered lockdown.
But that it is a very small price to pay: we at Power2Inspire take this opportunity to extend our condolences to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones in these tragic times; and to salute the efforts of medical staff, care workers and others on the front line, who have been so generous with their time and humanity. Thank you!
So rather than dwell on the sadness of yet another event having been cancelled, we are going to celebrate the excitement, joy and fun of the SS1Ks we have held – in 2018 and 2019!
Such is the importance of the SS1K fixture for Power2Inspire, it is difficult to credit that the first one took place only two years ago on a marvellously sunny and warm, perfect May Bank Holiday Monday. The idea was developed by our then operating officer Sally Gibson, who had been approached by the Friends of Histon Recreation Ground to see if we could include an inclusive section in their running festival. They had a course, a lovely roped-off loop around the rec, runners competing from 1k to 5k and a desire to make their event open to all.
We added the sensory stations: five gazebos along the route, one for each of the senses – smell, sight, touch, hearing and taste. After begging and borrowing the gazebos, tables, and chairs and recruiting Burwash Manor and Burwash Larder to help stock the smells, touch and best of all, taste stalls, we encouraged volunteers to man them. Sign up was slow, but we needn’t have worried: 132 participants took part, over 50 of them in wheelchairs. The sun shone, children ran and laughed, looked intrigued and scared – what is it? A strawberry, really! But above all everyone had fun.
We were determined to improve for year two, as we were welcomed back by the Friends in 2019. We acquired gazebos and secured a main sponsor in Irwin Mitchell, whose name was emblazoned on our smart purple T-shirts, given to all that took part. Other sponsors came on board, supporting and in the case of Watermill and PEM running a stall. And Rompa brought their amazing sensory van, showcasing all the marvellous stimulating products they sell – real entertainment as we waited for the start.
The cold – it was the coldest May Bank Holiday Monday on record – and forecast rain, though that stayed away, reduced participation but over 68 took part the fun was in no way diminished. One family declared this was the first event that they had ever been able to enjoy together as family, as their son ran round the course and then encouraged his sister as she walked round. Big smiles!
As soon as this year’s event was cancelled we turned our attention to next year. We already have a date: Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May. So please add it to your diaries now and follow our announcements as we endeavour to make the third SS1K the best yet!
Fundraising has started with a fabulous £200 gift (£250 with gift aid) from an anonymous donor – whom we take this opportunity to salute and thank! If you would like to make a donation please click on the nice shiny button!
New seat-based exercise classes launched
New Seat-Based Exercise Classes to Beat-the-Lockdown
With the support of the Cambridgeshire Community Coronavirus Fund and Living Sport’s Community Small Grant Fund we are delighted we are doing our bit to beat the virus!
Our partners, Oak Activities, with their fabulous coach, Lou, are leading three LIVE online classes daily every weekday for the next 12 weeks, aimed at helping those with limited mobility to stay active and healthy.
We are doing this in response to the libraries at March, Ramsey, and St Ives (all in Cambridgeshire) having had to close under the lockdown.
We understand the need in these difficult times, to maintain our fitness: not only do we all benefit from the strength and endurance gained, there are benefits to our mental health and to our resilience.
The morning session will be for Beginners (and will be seated).
The lunchtime session will be an Intermediate class (seated and standing)
The afternoon session each day will be an Advanced class (seated and standing).
Participants can choose any (or even all) of the sessions: we advise they build it into their daily routine to develop an exercise habit.
We do ask participants to take responsibility for their own health: to reduce and avoid injury, participants will need to check with their doctor before beginning any fitness program, and doing these exercise classes will be at your/their own risk. Thanks for your understanding.
To head direct to the Keep Active with Oaks Facebook Live page, where the sessions will stream at the appropriate times, click this button
Monday to Friday
9:30am
12:00pm
3:00pm
30 minute sessions
If you do not use Facebook or would like a recorded version, please click one of these buttons for a YouTube version.
Cambridge University Rugby PowerHouse Games 2019
Cambridge University Rugby PowerHouse Games 2019
The Men and Women from the Cambridge University Rugby Squads came together to host the second “Rugby Power House games” at the University Sports Centre on Thursday 26th September. They were joined by students from Felsted School, Impington Village College and Castle Special School in inclusive games such as boccia, New Age Kurling and to keep with the rugby theme, Touch Rugby.
“Birketts is proud to support this fantastic community day. As well as providing a fun morning of bespoke activities for local schools, this event is vital because it brings together people from different backgrounds, whose paths may otherwise never cross. It is important to show that people of all abilities can enjoy active lives and the opportunity to connect with their local community.”
Laurence Weeks, partner at Birketts
The fun, the smiles, the laughter were contagious and tangible proof that, “No one was left on the bench!”
“PEM are proud to be sponsoring this event for the second time. It’s a very inspiring and rewarding day for everyone involved and we are grateful to be a part of it.”
James Burrett, partner at PEM
Cambridge University Rowing PowerHouse Games 2019
Cambridge University Rowing PowerHouse Games 2019
Power2Inspire was delighted to co-host the first ever Rowing Power House Games with the Cambridge University Women’s and Lightweights Rowing Clubs on Friday 27th September 2019. It was a morning filled with smiles, laughter, cheering, and fun.
Held at the Cambridge University Sports Centre, and sponsored by Hill, we brought together athletes from the women’s and lightweights blues squads, students from King’s Ely, Ely College and Highfields Special School, Ely and a corporate volunteer from Hill. In teams of six, split up from friends and colleagues, all the participants were taken out of their comfort zone and encouraged to form a bond quickly.
“Inclusivity is central to our squad culture and it’s a great privilege to work with Power2Inspire. We want to get more people involved with sport and seeing rowing as something they can do regardless of their background. Sport has done so much for us and opened so many doors, we want to help extend that opportunity to all. Engaging with the local community and having some fun while promoting healthy lifestyles is amazing.”
CULRC President, Teague Smith
This was the first time we had included rowing – in this case using rowing machines – in a University Power House Games, and it proved very popular, if quite tiring. Rowing for a minute facing one’s opponent, proved a real stimulus to the participants, but the relay brought out the real competitive edge. Urged on by Hill’s very own cox, Emma Fletcher, each team member had to row for a minute before being unceremoniously removed and replaced with another team member. The teams learnt quickly to have someone help with each shoe and the seat: the changeover became like F1 Pitstops and added to the spectacle!
“Hill have the core values of EPIC – Extraordinary, Proud, Innovative and Collaborative and the Power2Inspire event lived up to these and more! Team Hill were absolutely delighted to support this fantastic event and see the impact it had on all of the students. The transformation over the morning was amazing, the competitive spirit was strong and everyone, helpers included, left with huge smiles on their faces. Fantastic!”
Emma Fletcher, Hill
We are working on bringing all the participants back together to watch the Boat Races on Sunday 29th March 2020, to shout our new friends on to victory on the Thames and rekindle friendships built through sport.
If you, your school, club or university would be interested in a similar games day, please contact us to find out more.
”Thank you so much for including the club in the most incredible day last week. I know all the students absolutely loved the event and felt inspired and invigorated by being involved with something that was fun and inclusive. Apparently they were playing the goalball when they were waiting for their next training session.”
Chair of the Cambridge University Women’s and Lightweight Rowing clubs, Siobhan Cassidy
John Willis immortalised in Lego™
John immortalised in Lego™
John continues to inspire hundreds of young lives as he goes from school to school, meeting young children, sharing his story and his vision of a world where no-one is left on the bench.
But this is truly a first!
One of the kids at a recent PowerHouse Games was so impacted by John and his story that he went home and made a brick version of John Willis! We thought that was pretty cool so we wanted to share it with you.
We think it’s a pretty good likeness!
Well done John, and keep up the good work!
If you would like your school to host a PowerHouse Games please click the button to get in touch, and we can organise for John to come and inspire your schoolkids very soon.