This was a trip down memory lane.
First a recent one: Gavin Tisshaw is the chair of Accessible Boating Thames, and they hosted us at Bisham Abbey – to be accurate, they stored the kayak – when I undertook the 108 Challenge last summer. His wife, Becky, is a teacher at Furze Platt Junior School and on hearing about the charity, invited me to deliver a Games2Inspire!
Gavin Tisshaw (R) helping with the 108 Challenge
The second is a much older memory. Ian Butler and I were at school together, Kingswood School, Bath, back in the 1970s. Please do not work out the years – it makes me feel far too old! He and his lovely wife, Carol, hosted me (yes, me!) for the two nights I was running the Furze Platt Games2Inspire event and it was really special. Thank you both. We had also caught up as part of the 108 Challenge, Ian being a strong paddler, so it was a treat to visit properly.
On to the Games...
Furze Platt has a three-form entry, so we split the activities over two days, including an assembly on each day. There were six classes of around 30 for each session on both days, so approximately 360 experienced the fun of goalball, sitting volleyball and sitting netball. The pupils loved it.
Becky, the school’s PE coordinator, said:
“The staff who attended the hall games and assembly were really inspired by your talk and said the children absolutely loved the games and benefitted from their experiences with you.
Giving you a high paw was unusual for the children as they have never done this before, and some children said they were a bit scared because they didn’t know what to expect or how to do it right. This was fantastic as I hoped that we might break down some barriers.
We have had many inspirational speakers in our school, but I honestly think you have had the greatest impact so far.”
I also grabbed the opportunity to catch up with Steve Illman, who connected us to ABT, but didn’t meet on my paddling trip. It was a delight to meet him in person and witness his enthusiasm for ABT, a charity to look up if you wish to go boating in almost any format on the Thames. They are both connected to Rotary too and will, I hope, be arranging some volunteers for our next visit in June.
I really enjoyed my time in Maidenhead and look forward to returning both to the school at some point, and to Bisham Abbey for our VISA PowerHouseGames in June.
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.
