Granta Park PowerHouseGames with illumina
We were delighted to facilitate this year’s Granta Park PowerHouseGames with illumina. The event took place on Thursday, July 11th, 2024, at the amazing Granta Park, Cambridge.
This was our first corporate-only version of PowerHouseGames and an essential step to introducing Power2Inspire to the business community. On the day Illumina and Sphere provided two teams, while Bidwells and Nuffield provided one team. So, we had six fantastic teams competing!
We were also lucky to have Rob Richardson, former GB sitting volleyball team captain, playing. His expertise and visible demonstration that disabled people can play alongside non-disabled players embodied our mission. By showcasing this inclusion in action to potential new corporate partners, we hope to encourage them to join our university PowerHouseGames in future and lead teams that include students from local special needs schools.
We competitively played goalball and sitting volleyball throughout the evening, with a trophy at stake. The Pink Team caught my eye for the joy they displayed. Many of their members seemed surprised at being able to compete in sports and to have such fun doing so. Their laughter and smiles were infectious. In the end, the Bidwells team took home the trophy – very well deserved!
My hope is that this becomes an annual event, attracting more companies and participants of different abilities. I know many of the participants have brought their joyous experience back to their colleagues, encouraging them to volunteer with Power2Inspire in PowerHouseGames, fundraising, and partnering with us. Ideally, other business parks will hear about the fun and want to host their own events!
A personal thank you to Hollie Church for believing in our cause, promoting it to your Illumina colleagues, and participating in our events!
Becca O’Keefe from Bidwells helped organise the event, so a huge shoutout to her as well! Becca also shared wonderful feedback with us, where she said
“The event was a huge success, and we thank John and the team for bringing the PowerHouseGames to Granta Park. Everyone had a fantastic time, and it is definitely something we will be adding to our summer of sports calendar here every year to ensure they are as inclusive as possible. Thank you again to Power2Inspire for introducing us to these fantastic games.”
The event concluded with a barbecue, and everyone received medals and certificates. It was a tremendous success, and I look forward to repeating it again soon!
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
Games2Inspire at King's Ely
The month of July couldn’t have started any better than at King’s Ely School with another wonderful Games2Inspire. With 115 pupils from King’s Ely and Fairstead House, a prep school in Newmarket, the day brought together students from years three to eight for a Monday filled with inclusive sport.
Our youngest participants, the year threes and fours, enjoyed six adaptive games on the sports ground in front of the school. These activities were organised in a carousel format, meaning every child had a chance to participate in each one.
The six activities included: Boccia, Sitting Volleyball, Target Games, Parachute Games, Goalball, and Walking Touch Rugby.
In a spring of luck, the weather was beautiful which certainly added to the ease and enjoyment of the day. The parachute games were a particular highlight, offering the kids a unique opportunity to experience a game that was completely new to all of them!
The year fives and sixes were spread out around the school, participating in various inclusive games too including Sitting Netball, New Age Curling, Goalball, and Quick Cricket. The feedback from the teachers was overwhelmingly positive; they spoke of how
“engaged and enthusiastic the children were with each student demonstrating remarkable teamwork, communication, and adaptability, learning new skills quickly and having a lot of fun in the process.”
The year sevens and eights, comprising around 200 students, participated in activities organised within their groups. The activities for the older students included Blindfolded Guided Running, Basketball and Netball Challenge, and Blind Football. The students were particularly excited about the four wheelchairs donated by Aveva and used for the day. A special shoutout goes to Aveva for the generous donation of the wheelchairs, which added a unique element to this Games2Inspire.
Learning to steer and push these wheelchairs proved challenging, but all students significantly improved with practice! This was a great example of overcoming challenges, fitting well with an assembly I led at the start of the day, where I spoke about overcoming barriers and showcased some of the gadgets made for my Road-to-Rio challenge.
Speaking of challenges, the day at King’s Ely was also part of the school’s efforts to fundraise for Power2Inspire through different 108challenges. It was amazing to see the innovative ways the students embraced the #108challenge, as well as seeing the legacy of my own #108challenge kayak down the Thames continue. For more information see the #108challenge page.
The day at King’s Ely was a resounding success, and we are grateful to everyone who participated and brought such wonderful energy to the event. I look forward to the next one!
What are Games2Inspire?
Games2Inspire events are incredible events, most often hosted in schools, with an assembly and sports day which includes activities designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, with disabilities and none, sporty and not. Participants get to meet our inspirational founder, John Willis, and hear all about how John has overcome obstacles in his life. They then get to put that learning to practice by playing adapted games and sports together learning new skills and being encouraged to test their beliefs about ability and disability and what it is to be different, learning to respect other people’s differences. Power2Inspire works with them to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you are interested in hosting a Games2Inspire in your school / college / company / community group 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.
Two brand new Games2Inspire events in Oxford
On Monday June 25th, and Tuesday June 26th, we returned to Oxford for two Games2Inspire events!
On Monday, I had the pleasure of visiting St. Christopher’s Church of England Primary School. The school’s diversity was immediately evident, with a board displaying “Welcome” in thirty languages upon my arrival! This display highlighted the inclusive environment fostered by the school’s dedicated teachers.
A special shout out must go to the Year 5 group, whose enthusiasm and teamwork during our sitting netball session was truly inspiring! It was great to see these students work together and challenge each other throughout some seriously close games!
The next day, I headed to John Henry Newman Primary Academy for another Games2Inspire event. The day also began with an assembly followed by inclusive sports sessions with students from Years 2 through 5, and half of Year 6. The remaining students were transitioning to their senior school, but those present participated enthusiastically! Throughout the day, the students showed genuine excitement about learning each inclusive sports game and it was a delight to visit the school.
A particularly special moment for me was at the end of the day when students recalled the key message from my assembly: “I can’t do it… yet!” This mantra encapsulates the growth mindset I aim to instill in all my school visits.
Special thanks to Molly Baldwin, our point of contact at St. Christopher’s and Tom Linden, our point of contact for John Henry Newman who ensured the days ran smoothly.
Both Games2Inspire events were a great start to a busy week in the Power2Inspire Summer calendar, and I look forward to being back at these schools in the future!
What are Games2Inspire?
Games2Inspire events are incredible events, most often hosted in schools, with an assembly and sports day which includes activities designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, with disabilities and none, sporty and not. Participants get to meet our inspirational founder, John Willis, and hear all about how John has overcome obstacles in his life. They then get to put that learning to practice by playing adapted games and sports together learning new skills and being encouraged to test their beliefs about ability and disability and what it is to be different, learning to respect other people’s differences. Power2Inspire works with them to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you are interested in hosting a Games2Inspire in your school / college / company / community group 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.
Sensory Garden Launch and SS1K in Bedford
On Saturday, June 22nd, I had the pleasure of heading over to Bedford to host a SuperSensory1K, alongside the launch of their Sensory Garden.
The Sensory Garden, along with the inclusive play area nearby, provides a welcoming environment for individuals of all ages within the Bedford Community. It is a space where young people, families, and older adults, whether disabled or not, can come together to enjoy a sensory-rich outdoor experience.
The Bedford Parents and Carers Forum played a crucial role in promoting our SuperSensory1K, which resulted in approximately 225 participants joining us. It was great to see such positive interaction within Bedford Borough.
The unveiling of the sensory garden marks a momentous step towards fostering inclusivity within our community. Our event was a wonderful way for the young people and families of Bedford to get to know Power2Inspire ahead of our PowerHouseGames in September.
Thank you to Nicola, the Head of Service for the SEND & AP Programme at Children’s Services, Bedford Borough Council, for communicating with us to enable the day to occur. I am optimistic about Power2Inspire’s ongoing relationship with Bedford Borough Council.
The success of this event has laid a strong foundation for our PowerHouseGames later this year, and we look forward to returning in September!
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. Would you like to host a SuperSensory1K at your local Fun Run or Park Run? Or would you like to volunteer at our next event? Or could you give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. Click the button here to find out more.
Our 1st PowerHouseGames with Magdalen College School, Oxford
On Friday, 21st June 2024, we had the pleasure of hosting PowerHouseGames at Magdalen College School in Oxford. The day was filled with a spirit of inclusion and friendly competition as we welcomed several schools from the surrounding area. We formed 12 mixed teams composed of Magdalen College School, Oxford Spires Academy, The Swan School, St Andrews CofE Primary School, and John Watson School, adding to the diversity and excitement of the day.
The day began with one of my presentations, where I shared part of my story and demonstrated how I am able to complete some sports using the gadgets made for me during my RoadtoRio challenge. The response to my presentation was great! It’s always lovely to receive such positive feedback, reinforcing the importance of our events in shifting perspectives, fostering a sense of community and inclusion, and inspiring people to face their challenges.
The 12 teams, each with six members, showcased their skills and sportsmanship across our various inclusive activities. The weather was brilliant, meaning most of our games were on the grass fields at Magdalen College School. The outdoor setting was great for the array of games we had lined up, including kwick cricket, sitting volleyball, sitting netball, goalball, touch rugby, and boccia.
Our PowerHouseGames also coincided with Magdalen College School’s Founders’ Day, a significant day in the school’s calendar which they marked with a sponsored walk in support of their perennial charity of choice. This has contributed to the setup of the Mustard Seed International School in Kenya. The school was set up by an alumnus, making the day even more special.
A big shoutout to Jeremy Macklin, our Chair of Trustees, for his support at the event, ensuring we were well-equipped for a successful day. I’d also like to thank Hugo Macklin for hosting me in Oxford. His kindness and support are whole-heartedly appreciated.
A special thanks to Jemima Coleman too, whose efforts in coordinating the various schools’ participation were instrumental to the day’s fruition. She helped ensure everything ran smoothly, and the consensus among the schools was that the event was fantastic.
Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and made this day so successful. Let’s keep the spirit of the PowerHouseGames alive and thriving – we look forward to many more PowerHouseGames in Oxford!
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.