Ex Paralympian sailor and Special Olympics Suffolk Patron, Kevin Curtis accompanied Chairperson Allison Boggis to an Open Sailing Session at the Woolverstone Project at Alton Water, Tattingstone recently to meet Andy Burrell who is a long-standing volunteer with the Project to find out what happens during a typical open session for disabled people.

Andy explained that the project offers year-round dingy sailing opportunities for people of all ages and any type of disabilities with trained instructors in a safe environment. There are many specially trained volunteers and supporters around to help prepare and launch the boats. The atmosphere is very positive and friendly and we were given a really warm welcome (and a nice cup of tea in the club house!).

Some of the boats are specially adapted to suit the needs of the sailors and those participating can be accompanied by trained volunteers or learn to sail independently.

Kevin was made to feel especially welcome at the club and soon felt at home in the nautical environment at Alton Water – chatting about boats and exchanging sailing experience stories with members, volunteers and supporters.

No matter what ability or disability, they have a boat for you, and a lot of people on hand to come sailing with you, to teach you how to sail and improve your sailing.

Allison, Kevin and Andy are hoping to work together to open up opportunities for SOS athletes to a ‘come and try sailing’ session in the summer and hope to encourage more disabled people to experience the joys of sailing. Date and details to be confirmed so watch this space…..

Special Olympic Suffolk athletes visit University of Suffolk for ‘Movement and Healthy Living Workshop’

SOS athletes Ed, Joe and Donna visited the University of Suffolk recently and enjoyed a tour of the campus including the newly refurbished Health and Wellbeing suite (complete with simulated hospital wards, physiotherapy unit and sports science laboratories). They were hosted and accompanied by second year Physiotherapy degree students and joined by Derek (Steering Group member of SOS), adults and support workers from Fairview Farm and other adults with intellectual disabilities to take part in a ‘Movement and Healthy Living Workshop’.

The visit was coordinated by Danielle Ramsey (Course Leader BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, UoS), Ellie Rossiter (Research Assistant at UoS) and Allison Boggis (Chairperson of SOS) with the aim to bring students and people with intellectual disabilities together to facilitate practical experiences of working together and an opportunity for all to gain some valuable experiences of physiotherapy practice.

It was a fun, enjoyable visit which provided a great opportunity for our athletes, Donna, Joe and Ed to join in with thought provoking activities that explored the importance of movement and heathy living. It also gave the trio opportunities to share experiences and examples of the ways in which movement and healthy living enhances their lives.

SOS Chairperson, Dr Allison Boggis, thanked the University of Suffolk (especially Danielle and Ellie) for hosting the event, the athletes who attended, the parents and support workers who facilitated the visit and the second year Physiotherapy students for their support, wishing them good luck in their future studies and careers.