Proud participants achieve accessible sporting Personal Bests
Nearly 200 adults with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities have strived for sporting achievement at Winchester Personal Bests.
The inclusive event, which took place in Winchester Sport & Leisure Park and the University of Winchester sports stadium on Thursday 4 September 2025, offered participants the opportunity to try accessible sports and to personally challenge themselves whilst also creating connections and having fun in a supportive environment.
The range of different sports offered on the day included squash, athletics, low level circuits, football, cricket, yoga and boxing.
Groups and individuals came from across Hampshire to participate including: Creating Chaos from Havant; Enham Trust from Andover; Gosport Community Link; James Place (Andover, Eastleigh and Basingstoke); Make at Aldingbourne Trust at Portsmouth; Parkside from Aldershot; QE2 Activity Centre in Hedge End; Reach out Caring in Fair Oak; Solent Stormers in Portsmouth; Teals Day Provision in Chandler’s Ford; The Grow Project in Southampton; and Windward Day Services in Netley Marsh.
Medals were presented by the Mayor of Winchester Cllr Sudhakar Achwal and Everyone Active Sporting Champions Caitlin Hatfield and Kate Healey. Participants were also sent a congratulatory video message by swimmer Maisie Summers-Newton MBE, a four-time Paralympic Champion and World & European Champion.
Funding support came from Simplyhealth and the Cardo Group sponsored volunteer T-shirts, medals and trophies. The volunteer team included Employer Supported Volunteers (ESV) from Simplyhealth, Cardo Group, Mitie, Quilter, Strategic Solutions Financial Services, Bupa and Virgin Media.
Winchester Personal Bests is the first event of its kind to be officially recognised as Autism Friendly by the National Autistic Society.
Its brand-new sister event Winchester Aqua Bests will take place in just a few weeks on Thursday 30 October 2025, offering adults with learning disabilities an opportunity to take part in various inclusive and fully accessible water-based activities
Winchester Personal Bests is organised by community interest company Active LD, which helps people with learning disabilities to be active, and supported by Winchester City Council, Everyone Active and the University of Winchester.
Betty Chadwick, Executive Director of Active LD, said: “The Personal Bests truly highlights the energy, determination, and courage of everyone taking part. Each participant gave their all - it was inspiring and joyful to be part of. None of this would be possible without the incredible dedication of our coaches and volunteers, whose support makes such a difference. The Personal Bests provide a fantastic platform to encourage more people with learning disabilities to get involved in regular activities that keep them active, healthy, and happy.”
Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities Cllr Kathleen Becker said: “I was able to attend this fantastic event to experience its impact in person – the atmosphere was incredible, with participants from our local communities and beyond enjoying the many stations offering such varied and inclusive sporting options.
“Accessible opportunities to participate in sport are so important, and Personal Bests, by acting as a valuable introduction to the possibilities on offer, can often be the first steps of a whole new fitness journey. Thanks to everyone who made the event possible, including the brilliant 65-strong volunteer team.”
Alison Lewis, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be able to continue to support an event that makes sport accessible to all.
“Winchester Sport and Leisure Park is committed to providing activities which embrace inclusivity and Winchester Personal Bests event is the perfect example of this, where individuals can build confidence through sport and most importantly, enjoy being active together.”
Applications to take part in Winchester Aqua Bests are now open. Find out more via the Active LD website.