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.