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.
Joining the Independent Schools Association for a PowerHouseGames
After the success of our inaugural PowerHouseGames last year, we were delighted to announce a follow-up PowerHouseGames with the Independent Schools Association (ISA), which we hosted on the 18th of June 2024. The turnout and energy on the day were amazing… Let’s dive right into the action!
This PowerHouseGames was supported and funded by the ISA, who were pivotal in making this event a reality. With Leighton Park School generously hosting, we had an unforgettable day of sportsmanship and camaraderie with the following line-up of schools:
- Leighton Park
- WEMMS
- LVS Ascot
- St Mary's Gerrards Cross
- St James Boys
- Moon Hall
- Addington
Last year’s event featured eight teams, so seeing the participation double this year to 16 teams – two from each school – was fantastic. The sports leaders from Year 12 and Year 10 at Leighton Park were exceptional. They embraced the concept of inclusivity wholeheartedly, assisting and encouraging their teammates with and without disabilities. Their leadership skills were put to the test as they each joined one of the teams, but they certainly passed with flying colors!
We had two Boccia pitches, two sitting volleyball courts, two goalball set-ups, and two walking football sections! With eight games happening simultaneously, the energy across the school was brilliant.
The teams were divided into four groups of four, competing fiercely in a round-robin format. Each team played three games of each rotation, and it’s safe to say the competition was intense!
One of the standout moments was watching Addington Team 2, excel beyond some of the students’ initial expectations. Despite some team members having significant physical disabilities, they made it to the top playoff group! Their Boccia playoff game was nail-bitingly close and everyone watched tentatively. One of the sports leaders shared:
“It was great learning for us in terms of leadership, being a captain from within the team was great, not just coaching from outside the team.”
After speaking with an ISA representative at the end, it was clear they were thrilled with the event’s growth and engagement. The feedback from participants and spectators alike was overwhelmingly positive!
A big thank you goes out to Emily Ward, the national sports officer at the ISA, and Neave Wilson, the national sports coordinator at the ISA. Their support has been invaluable.
A special shout-out also goes to Simon Bradbury from Leighton Park, whose organisation and dedication were instrumental to the event’s success. It was also great to see Simon’s reaction when he received a T-shirt! I think this could have been the most exciting part of the day for him.
The winning team, St James’s Boys Team 2, clinched victory in a dramatic finish. The last Boccia ball decided the winner, showing that inclusive sports can be incredibly competitive and evoke intense spirits among players and crowds.
The ISA PowerhouseGames was another phenomenal success.
Thank you, everyone, for making this day so special.
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.
The 7th Games2Inspire at The Perse
Power2Inspire reached another milestone by holding the 7th Games2Inspire at the fantastic Perse Upper School in Cambridge on Friday, 15th June 2024. What a memorable time it was!
Ahead of the day, on Monday, May 20th, I had the privilege of visiting Perse Upper School once again for a pre-assembly with some of the students before our Games2Inspire on Friday. This initial visit clearly built excitement among the students and set the stage for what was to come.
On the day of the event, I kicked things off with a longer assembly. This was my chance to delve deeper into the games, explain why we play them, and share some stories from my own life, especially on the theme of overcoming challenges, perhaps against the odds in the eyes of others. I also demonstrated some of the gadgets I used during my Road2Rio challenge, where I tackled all 34 Olympic and Paralympic sports. The students were fascinated by this, and it was lovely to reflect on 2016 and that wonderful challenge!
Then the games commenced!
We had six different rotations featuring five inclusive sports: Boccia, Goalball, Sitting Volleyball, New Age Kurling, and Sitting Netball. As with all Games2Inspire, these activities were inclusive and engaging for all. The school also held a brilliant inclusive kilometre where students of all abilities could run, walk, wheel, skip or jump to the finish line! It was also lovely to see the school run a #108challenge as part of their fundraising for Power2Inspire. It is always wonderful to see the legacy of my own #108challenge Kayak continue into 2024 and I hope to encourage more schools, individuals and organisations to participate in their own #108challenge. The day before, the schools had a non-uniform day to boost their fundraising efforts, which was a fantastic success. Prizes were up for grabs for the class and individual who raised the most funds.
We welcomed Year 8 students this year who were divided into six form classes. They all participated with great enthusiasm.
Despite the rather showery weather, our games were hosted indoors in the school’s wonderful sports hall. It turned out great! I supervised the sitting netball, where we had two games running simultaneously. The students played with immense energy and joy, swapping teams to keep things dynamic and exciting.
There was a lot of laughter and fun, but it was also interesting to see how quickly students realised how tiring sitting netball can be. This was a great eye-opener for many students, highlighting that inclusive sports are challenging, inspire teamwork and allow all anyone to develop their initial skill set.
At the end of each session, I opened the floor to questions. Many were curious about my journey and how I overcame my physical challenges. I shared that I was born without fully formed arms and legs and emphasised my mother’s always telling me: “There’s no such word as can’t.”
I’ve now adapted this to say, “There is a word called can’t, but I just can’t do it….yet.”
A particularly special moment for me was when Emma Kenzie, the Games2Inspire coordinator for the school for the past few years, brought in her seven-week-old baby, Rosie. Emma, currently on maternity leave, believed it was essential for Rosie to witness the Games2Inspire! It was a touching moment that I truly loved!
A big shout-out must go to Elise Jacob too, who took over the coordination from Emma this year. She did a fantastic job ensuring everything ran smoothly and with great success.
Working with Perse School has been a wonderful experience throughout the Power2Inspire journey, and I am grateful we get to continue this partnership.
The students’ enthusiasm, the supportive staff, and the overall spirit of inclusivity made this Games2Inspire at The Perse Upper School the best year yet and I look forward to more fun-filled events here 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.
A Celebration of Sports Inclusivity in Kent
Following our incredibly successful Games2Inspire at Ashford School in December, we were thrilled to host the first-ever PowerHouseGames at Ashford School on Friday, 7th June. This marked a significant milestone in our mission to promote sports inclusivity in Kent and the Southeast. We are overjoyed at how wonderful this day turned out to be!
Students from Ashford School, new local state secondary school, Chilmington Green School and local special needs school, Wyvern School, came together to participate in various inclusive sports: boccia, new age kurling, goalball, and a giant game of sitting netball. Ashford School also runs a wonderful Sports Leader’s programme enabling year 12 sports leaders to get involved and lead mixed teams of six students each. And the best part? Seeing the incredible engagement, contribution, and growth of these young leaders!
The feedback we received from the teachers at Chilmington Green and Wyvern School – schools where Power2Inspire hasn’t hosted any events before – was heartwarming!
One of the standout moments of the day was watching a typically shy young boy diving headfirst into playing goalball. An impressive Sports Leader from Ashford School stepped up as a sports leader and really connected with him, boosting his confidence and enabling him to engage eagerly in sitting netball. The smile on his face and his visible delight were truly priceless. One particularly touching moment was when he scored a point in sitting netball, sparking a joyous group celebration for him!
Another girl, requiring assistance walking, brilliantly mastered the game of sitting volleyball! Even while sitting on a chair – we adapt to help everyone – with a powerful kick, she scored a point over the net, marking a triumphant moment for the entire group. A boy, who at first struggled to engage with the group, found his confidence by the fourth round, leading to a moment of immense pride for his teachers.
It was clear the event had a profound impact on the Sports Leaders too, who may have questioned its purpose at the start! Their transformative experience was shown through their enthusiastic leadership and engagement with their teams.
A big thank you goes to Phil Bubb, whose instrumental efforts as a trustee and former teacher at Ashford School made these games possible. And to Toby Grieves, deputy head (co-curricular) at Ashford School, who grabbed the baton and is keen to build on the success of this first PowerHouseGames. The excitement, enthusiasm, and support from the visiting teachers, endorsed the concept and sparked the desire for more PowerHouseGames!
Reflecting on this event, I am deeply moved by the inclusivity, joy, and engagement displayed by all participants. The PowerHouseGames at Ashford exemplified the true spirit of inclusive sports, creating lasting memories for everyone involved. Here’s to many more such events in the Kent region in 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.