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.
Paralympic Week 2019 at Quilters Junior School
Paralympic Week 2019 at Quilters Junior School
For the second year running, Power 2 Inspire was privileged to help host the Paralympic Week 2019 at Quilter Junior School in Billericay, Essex.
It was great joining in with the children trying new sports with such enthusiasm.
Using sitting volleyball, the Paralympic sport Goalball, New Age Kurling based on curling, and polybat, a table tennis derivative, Power2Inspire taught the school that there is no such word as
“Can’t”,
just the phrase
“I can’t….yet!”
John joined in the activities showing the youngsters that disability need not be a barrier to participating. The pupils particularly enjoyed his sitting volleyball, seeing in action the benefits of practice, perseverance and determination. These lessons are easily transferred to the classroom – everyone finds some aspect of school life hard, it requires resilience, humour and perseverance to overcome these challenges. John provides a real life role model of this in action. He is an unforgettable role-model.
The pupils competed on Friday Finals Day in classes, with extra points for good teamwork, perseverance, bravery, determination, and caring for others, as well as winning the individual games. Class 6H were named Quilters Paralympic Week Champions 2019! And 10 pupils were rewarded for their “giving nature” with a Power2Inspire “Special Award” medal and a masterclass with Paralympic archery double gold medalist Danielle Brown, organised through the Mintridge Foundation and Steve Mitchell of Active Essex.
Over 200 parents, grandparents and carers were invited in to play these inclusive games with their children. There was much hilarity, laughter and many smiles, and the school’s community was strengthened and expanded.
The impact on the pupils was immense. Hearing personal stories from disabled athletes and ambassadors about resilience and determination, our pupils were utterly inspired:
Planning will soon begin for the 3rd Annual Quilters Paralympics. Every school should have one! Contact Power2Inspire if you want your pupils to share the experience those at Quilters had.
Lovely Day for young people in transition
Lovely Day for young people in transition
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice hosted a special afternoon for young people, at Arthur Rank Hospice in Shelford Bottom. The collaborative event was the second in a series of three, designed to introduce young people approaching the age of 18, and their families, to the care and services available to them.
Nine families, who either currently or have previously accessed the care and services of EACH, visited the Hospice. They were welcomed by familiar faces from EACH and were introduced to staff and volunteers from Arthur Rank Hospice and Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, as they made their way around the afternoon’s activities.
Highlights of the afternoon included accessible sports such as sitting volleyball, boccia and new age kurling organised by Power2Inspire in the garden, virtual reality headsets provided by Lifelites in The Sanctuary and Qigong sessions led by Diego from Cloudhands in the gym. There was also a duck money-box painting station, complementary therapies in Arthur’s Shed with staff and volunteers offering head, foot and hand massage and a sensory space in one of the Day Therapy rooms with space blankets, soothing music and light therapy.
The Hospice’s Bistro laid on one of its famous barbeques, which was enjoyed by the visitors, staff and guests alike. Lucy Brumpton, Young Persons’ and Transition Lead, comments:
“Yesterday was a great testament to what can be achieved when we all work together. These families really need our support as they navigate the transition from children to adult hospice services. By teaming up, our three hospices gave these young people – as well as their parents, siblings and carers -the best possible introduction to what is available for them.”
Many of the families had been anxious about visiting an adult Hospice before the day, but the feedback afterward was overwhelmingly positive with comments that it had been “so inclusive”, “lots of fun”, “very relaxing”, “well-organised” and that it was wonderful for families to be able to participate in activities all together. One family member added:
“We weren’t really all that sure about what to expect from the day, but the activities have been brilliant. It’s been lovely: really, really nice. We’ve had a tour round, so we’ve seen quite a bit more of the facilities and met lots of the staff and they’re all fantastic.”
Sara Robins, Director of Clinical Services at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity feels the day really summed up what hospices are trying to achieve:
“What stood out to me, was the atmosphere. There was such a buzz and the whole day was very inclusive. We would like to say a special thank you to Lifelites for hosting our virtual reality experience and Power2Inspire who put on some brilliant and truly accessible games.
The barbeque put on by our brilliant Bistro team at lunchtime was enjoyed not only the families visiting and supporting the day, but also by volunteers, our patients and their visitors, and guests from the local community: people shared tables and chatted to each other about their reasons for being there. Some of the people being cared for on our Inpatient Unit even came around to socialise and enjoy the activities, giving the young people visiting us – and their relatives – a chance to chat to hear about the hospice, in more general terms. The afternoon was a great example of what can be achieved to benefit those we care for, when we work together.”
Following this event and the one held in May at the EACH Hospice at Milton, there will be third open day for young people in transition, taking place at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough during the October half term on 23 October, again hosted collaboratively by the three hospices.
EACH at Arthur Rank Hospice
EACH at Arthur Rank Hospice
We are humbled and honoured to be invited by EACH and Arthur Rank Hospice to be involved in their Children’s and Families Transition Day. We will be playing inclusive games with the families to demonstrate how everyone can play together and have fun.
You can find out more about the Families Day at the Arthur Rank website
Greggs fundraising for Power2Inspire!
Greggs fundraising for Power2Inspire
We are thrilled that Greggs Eastern Region chose to support Power2Inspire the week of 18th-24th August with collection in their shops. Greggs do these collections twice a year so to be picked by the staff for one of these slots is a tremendous boost. We will use the funds to support our weekly inclusive seat-based exercise sessions in March, St Ives and Ramsey libraries as well as our other activities. So what a great excuse – pop into Greggs for a delicious snack and drop some coins in the bucket for us!
Thanks Greggs!