Special Olympics Suffolk and Eastern Region Badminton player, Ed and his support worker and badminton volunteer Lizzie supported the ‘ Beyond Labels’ project at The Hold at the Suffolk Archives today. The project was set up to explore the lived experience of disability in Suffolk. It is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Together, Ed and Lizzie created a label representing SO Suffolk that will be exhibited along with other experiences of disabled people at The Hold from 27 February to 30th March this year.
Great work Ed and Lizzie – its good to see that Special Olympics Suffolk will be represented in the exhibition to demonstrate the sporting opportunities that disabled people in Suffolk are involved in. Thank you!
Beyond Labels shines a light on the lives, achievements, and challenges of people with disabilities in Suffolk, past and present. It showcases the resilience and contributions of Suffolk people with lived experience of disability, and explores the barriers faced and promotes awareness and understanding.
Explore themes of visibility, independent living, discrimination, and making change happen. Understand how national campaigns, and social and political changes have impacted lives in Suffolk. As well as discovering the histories of organisations, schools, and charities that work with and support local disabled people.
Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this exhibition is co-curated by local community groups and Suffolk Archives and has enabled communities to share and celebrate their authentic experiences.
Beyond Labels celebrates disability while sparking conversations about accessibility, equality, and a call to action for work that still needs to be done.
Special Olympics Suffolk have been invited to go along on Thursday 8th January 2-5pm. I shall be there until 3.30pm so I hope to see you there! If you can’t make it, don’t worry, there are plenty of other opportunities – please visit http://www.suffolkarchives.co.uk and select Exhibitions.
Special Olympics Suffolk are asking athletes, supporters, families, coaches and volunteers to take part in a sponsored sporting activity of choice throughout January to raise money towards competing in the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in 2026.
Ex Olympian and Patron of SO Suffolk, Professor Bill Tancred is an avid supporter of keeping fit and healthy, and actively encourages others to do so. He signed up for the challenge as soon as he heard about it, donating to the National Summer Games Fundraising ‘pot’ and pledging to exercise daily throughout January 2026.
Bill told Chairperson Allison Boggis that SO Suffolk remains an organisation close to his heart and that he wants to take up this challenge to encourage people to adopt a more healthy lifestyle by taking part in regular sporting activities. Bill is now 83 and still exercises daily – he has kindly agreed to give us updates throughout January – so watch this space!.
You too can join in with this challenge! Elspeth (our contact secretary and dedicated volunteer) recently emailed the information to all SO Suffolk athletes, their supporters, volunteers and coaches. Taking part is easy – you simply pledge to take on a sporting activity, set your own daily or weekly targets and ask friends and family to sponsor you (using the sponsor form that was attached to the email) – not only will it raise much needed funds, it will be a great way to keep fit and active!
Here’s some ideas of what you can do …
Do a set amount sit-ups/star jumps/burpees every day
Start couch to 5k
Swim a set amount of lengths a week
Do a set amount of keepy-uppies
Cycle a set amount of miles during the month
Do a plank every day throughout January
I’m going to pledge £1 for each day in January (31) that I complete my hour exercise ring on my smart watch.
What are you going to do? Please let me know and send some photographs…
On 30th November, 14 athletes proudly represented Special Olympics Suffolk at the Lea Valley Indoor Track for the Special Olympics GB Athletics event. Two athletes made their competitive debut, adding an extra sense of excitement to the day.
The team delivered outstanding performances, achieving an impressive 12 gold, 3 silver, and 6 bronze medals across the various events. In total, eight personal bests were achieved, highlighting the athletes’ continued progress and determination.
The journey home was full of festive cheer, with Christmas tunes playing on the minibus and plenty of enthusiastic sing-alongs, rounding off the day with great team spirit.
Throughout the event, the athletes supported one another brilliantly, creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere both on and off the track. Their sportsmanship, determination, and teamwork made the day a memorable success.
A huge well done to all athletes, coaches, and supporters for a fantastic day of competition and achievement.
Special Olympics Suffolk delivery partners, ActivLives, recently hosted an Inclusive Badminton Tournamentat Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The event involved 24 athletes from inclusive groups in Ipswich and Wimbledon competing in singles and doubles competitions.
Inclusive events such as this are specifically for athletes who have an intellectual (learning) disability, with this tournament being sanctioned and supported by Special Olympics GB.
“We have said it before, but these tournaments are an absolute pleasure to be involved with. The standard of play continues to improve and, more importantly, the attitude of the players is superb – they really do reflect the very best of what sport should be about”, said Mike McCarthy, from ActivLives.
“Many thanks to the brilliant team of volunteers who made the event happen, and to our supporting partners Special Olympics Suffolk, Special Olympics GB, Suffolk Community Fund, Sport England and Ipswich Borough Council. Particular thanks to Special Olympics GB for their support and the brilliant medals, which were appreciated by all of the athletes”.
If you would like to find out more about getting involved with badminton for players with a learning disability, please call ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk
Disability History Month is observed annually from November 14 to December 14 in the UK, is a time to celebrate the achievements of disabled people, raise awareness about the social model of disability, and teach empathy and inclusion. Taking part in inclusive sporting activities helps to show that people are not disabled by their impairments, but by the physical and social barriers they face. Historically, disabled people have struggled against inequality, inaccessibility and their rights to participate have been denied.
Here at Special Olympics Suffolk, we value our athletes who are disabled, we treat them with dignity and respect. We celebrate their achievements and support them to participate in sporting activities and encourage them to adopt more healthy lifestyles by being more active.
Special Olympics Suffolk delivery partner, ActivLives, recently hosted a Boccia Leaders Course for 18 new leaders in Ipswich. The course, which is accredited by Boccia England, was supported by the Special Olympics GB Coaching Fund. The training was attended by a wide range of candidates, including new and existing volunteers, as well as local boccia players.
“This course has been a great example of local and national providers working together to bring some much needed leadership training to Suffolk, in this most inclusive of sports”, said Mike McCarthy, Course Tutor. “We have had some brilliant feedback from participants, with some great ideas about how they can now make use of their new boccia skills and knowledge”.
If you would like to know more about boccia in Suffolk, please contact mike@activlives.org.uk or call ActivLives on 01473 345350.
Suffolk badminton players Ed and Donna represented the Eastern Region and enjoyed two successful days of badminton at the University of Nottingham over the weekend.
They faced stiff competition from other regions particularly the South West, East Midlands, West Midlands and Ireland. After a challenging first day, Ed managed to achieve a respectable fourth medal place in the Men’s Singles with Donna gained a Silver medal in the Ladies Singles and Gold in the Ladies doubles event when she partnered another player from a different team.
Teams spent the evening mixing, having fun and relaxing at the disco and buffet at Derby County Football Club. A good time was had by all!
Back to business and Day Two was a tough day with Ed playing Men’s Doubles with Adrian from East Midlands (finishing 3rd) and Donna playing mixed doubles with partner Nathan also from the East Midlands, finishing first in their group.
What a great weekend! Well done Donna and Ed for rising to the challenge – you both played against tough opposition and represented Suffolk and the Eastern Region superbly. Thanks to the organisers, officials and volunteers for hosting the East Midlands event and also to Lizzie who supported both Suffolk players to enable them to take part and have such a great time!
Four Special Olympics Suffolk gymnasts ; Poppy, Hollie, Simon and Alastair and the Waveney Gymnastics Team with their coaches recently visited Norway to compete at the Norway International Friendship Competition.
It was a fabulous trip with Suffolk gymnasts doing us proud!
Thanks to Ellen, the coaching team, volunteers and supporters.
Special Olympics Suffolk delivery partner, ActivLives, celebrated ‘National Boccia Day’ in style with a Boccia Festival held at Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich on 26th September. Sixty-six players participated, with the brilliant support of staff and volunteers. In addition to the many individual players there were participating groups from Avenues East Ipswich, Leading Lives Stowmarket, Suffolk Rural College, Suffolk One and Papworth Trust. The event was particularly targeted at players with an intellectual and/or physical disability. No previous boccia experience was required to get involved.
The day started with four groups taking part in skills challenges. Team challenges were the main theme throughout the day. There was also an individual “Control the Roll” challenge in the afternoon.
Feedback from the players has been brilliant with comments such as:
“I hope to do this again next year – Happy National Boccia Day to all”. “I love it that all ages and abilities come together to enjoy boccia”.
“Fabulous – so inclusive, we feel very happy to be part of it”. “A very welcoming and friendly day. Lots of different games – we loved it!”
ActivLives would like to thank all of their partner organisations for their support with this event, particularly Special Olympics GB (everyone loved the great SOGB medals!), Special Olympics Suffolk, Boccia England and the Suffolk Community Foundation.
If you are interested in finding out more about boccia with ActivLives and how to get involved, email mike@activlives.org.uk or call the ActivLives office on 01473 345350
Special Olympics Suffolk 