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.

The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Inspire Inclusion.

When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world.

And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

At Special Olympics Suffolk we are proud of all the women in our organisation that coach, volunteer and support our athletes. We thank them for giving their time generously to create a safe and inclusive space for women and girls in sport. We support the ‘This girl can’ campaign https://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/

Olympic gymnast superstar and gold medal holder Grace inspires others. She told SOS that she inspires others by competing in Berlin in the Special Olympics World Games, representing her country and by telling others about her experiences. Grace has recently embarked on a course run by SOGB to become an Athlete Leader, mentored by her mum Karen. Inspirational women indeed!

Waveney Gymnastics Club coach, Ellen (pictured above with Grace), says that coaching Grace and other gymnasts with learning disabilities is inspirational. She feels very privileged to be able to give opportunities to all ages, all abilities to take part in gymnastics as a sport and for those in SOS to take compete in and enjoy the experiences of taking part in competitions locally, nationally and internationally. Ellen was part of the gymnastics coaching team at the World Games in Berlin in June 2024 and over the years has been a really inspirational role model for Grace.

SOS and SOGB Athlete Leader Abbie is a staunch supporter of encouraging more women into sport. Orwell Panthers Athletics Club head coach Mitzi has been a huge inspiration to Abbie, nurturing and encouraging her to compete and train in athletics.

Patron (and gold medal holder) Evie is an inspirational figurehead for SOS having competed in Boccia in the Paralympics herself. Evie trains and officiates at Boccia competitions on behalf of ActivLives and is employed at Ace Anglia.

Grace, Evie and Donna are inspiration women at Special Olympics Suffolk

Donna (pictured above and below) has undertaken the SOS Athlete Leadership Programme and is now embarking on the Athlete Leader Training at SOGB with the support of Chairperson, Dr Allison Boggis. Donna inspires other badminton players at SOS by regularly attending training sessions herself, encouraging others and being a great role model for the sport.

At Special Olympics Suffolk we believe that everyone everywhere can inspire inclusion.

The next ActivLives Inclusive Boccia Tournament is coming soon to Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The event, which is being held on Saturday 2^nd March, is for any player with a recognised disability (intellectual, physical and/or sensory). All of the athletes will be playing in divisions based on their boccia ability and level of playing experience. Players who are relatively new to the sport, will be amongst the competitors. The event is being delivered in partnership with Special Olympics Suffolk, and has been sanctioned by Special Olympics GB. If you would like to find out more, please contact Mike on 07531 236442 or email mike@activlives.org.uk   

The ActivLives Inclusive Badminton Tournament was held recently at Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The event, delivered by ActivLives, in partnership with Special Olympics Suffolk, was a tremendous success with 27 competitors from inclusive groups in Suffolk and Wimbledon.

The format consisted of four divisions, where players competed in doubles and singles groups in a round-robin format. The day concluded with an exciting ‘team relay’ event, with all of the players involved.

“The response to this tournament has been brilliant” said Mike McCarthy, ActivSport Development Officer. “It is great to see so many athletes with a learning disability, getting involved with the inclusive sport of badminton, here in Suffolk”.

Many thanks to the brilliant team of volunteers, who did such a great job on the day, and to supporting partners Special Olympics GB, Suffolk Community Foundation Sports Fund and the Postcode Places Trust.

If you would like to find out more about getting involved with badminton for players with a learning disability in the Ipswich area, please call ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk    

Suffolk badminton players competed at the Anders Disability Inclusive Badminton Tournament held in Wimbledon recently, an event which was hosted in partnership with Special Olympics Surrey.

The tournament was a Singles competition and also included a Team Relay match. Special Olympics Suffolk was represented by Joe Cuzner and Jordan Rednall and what a performance they both put in! Jordan won the silver, and Joe the gold medal in their respective divisions. Both were up against strong opposition, particularly from the home club and visiting teams from Southampton and Canterbury.

Well done to both of our players on a great performance!    

Special Olympics Great Britain is teaming up with Parallel in encouraging people across the country to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on Sunday 3 December, by wearing purple socks.

In recognition of the partnership, three specially designed purple socks have been released by sustainable activewear brand BAM. Once purchased, 50 per cent of the proceeds from each pair of socks will be donated to Special Olympics GB’s Unified Business Programme, which helps athletes across England, Scotland and Wales develop their employability skills.

Tom Casson, Head of Projects (Impact and Inclusion) at Special Olympics GB, said: “Buying a pair of purple socks to support International Day of Disabilities can make a great impact. Not only in promoting the rights & well-being of disabled people, but in creating opportunities that support their professional development.

“Unified Business is a great example of this, which challenges our athletes to develop their creative and entrepreneurial skills under the guidance of our corporate partners, such as Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.”

All purple socks, produced by BAM, are made from Bamboo and priced from as little as £6. Visit Bamboo Clothing and enter Promo Code PSSOGB, at the point of purchase and show your support for International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Be sure to take of photo of yourself in your purple socks, share on social media and tag in Special Olympics GB’s accounts on 3 December.

The next ActivLives Inclusive Badminton Tournament is coming soon at Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The tournament, on the 9^th December, is being delivered in partnership with Special Olympics Suffolk and will include Doubles and Singles divisions, followed by the ever popular ‘Team Relay’ competition. This tournament has been sanctioned, and is being supported, by Special Olympics GB.  

If you would like more information about this event, please call the office on 01473 345350 or emailmike@activlives.org.uk

Active Suffolk Awards – Sports Personality of the Year

Massive congratulations to Waveney and SOS gymnasts Jack and Grace for being nominated for the Sports Personality of the Year category at the annual Active Suffolk Awards. We are proud to announce that Jack was chosen as winner and Grace the runner-up at the awards ceremony on Friday 17th November. Another great achievement for Jack and Grace – they are both so inspirational and have achieved so much through their hard work and determination. What an incredible year – excellent news, very well done!