Record number of participants attend popular accessible sporting event
HUNDREDS of adults with physical and learning disabilities have gathered in Winchester for a popular annual sporting event.
Winchester Personal Bests (WPB) saw participants, both individuals and members of 20 separate groups including day services, community groups and residential care homes, gather at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park on Thursday 3 September to take part in a day of sports activities.
Participants ranged in age from 19 to 67 years-old and the activities on offer included boxing, circuits, cricket, football, running and squash.
Since the event’s formation in 2012, inspired by the London Paralympic Games, it has grown from 33 participants to full capacity, plus a waiting list, of well over 200 individuals.
WPB is organised by Active LD in partnership with Winchester City Council, Everyone Active and the University of Winchester.
Betty Chadwick, Executive Director of Active LD, said: “Winchester Personal Bests is about so much more than sport – it’s about people coming together, having fun, celebrating their achievements and knowing that they belong.
“Demand for the event has grown hugely - we reached capacity very quickly this year – and people travel from all across Hampshire to be part of it. More than half of our participants come back year after year, and it’s brilliant to see old friendships being picked up again and new friendships starting. There’s a lovely sense of community; people know they’re coming somewhere where they are welcome.
“Being participant-led is really important to us. Our Active LD Advisors, who all have learning disabilities, are involved so much – choosing T-shirt colours, designing medals and water bottles, shaping what we do and telling us what they think works, and what doesn’t! You can really see the sense of pride and ownership they have in it.
“Personal Bests is so much more than a day – it’s a movement. We’re trying to help people find enjoyable, accessible ways to be active beyond the event, and we work with a fantastic group of partners, coaches and clubs who help us create opportunities. That’s what we want – for Personal Bests to open a door to being more active all year round.”
Councillor Kelsie Learney, Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Member for the Climate and Nature Emergency, said: “This accessible sports event for disabled people in our local community and beyond is so important, and its legacy continues to build year after year. Winchester Personal Bests is often the starting point and inspiration for further participation in sport, and we know how important this is: Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey data shows that 43% of disabled people are physically inactive compared with 23% of those without a disability.
“Winchester Personal Bests, by removing barriers to sports participation, offers disabled people the independence, choice and control that they so deserve.
“At this year’s event, we had people taking part from such a wide range of ages - 19 to 67 - and there was yet another increase in the number of participants over 60. These figures tell a very positive story in terms of accessibility, inclusion and enabling older people to remain active.”
Alison Lewis, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “It’s fantastic to see Winchester Personal Bests continue to grow and reach more people every year. The atmosphere at the event is always incredibly positive, and it’s wonderful to see participants challenging themselves, trying new activities and celebrating their achievements together.
“Events like this demonstrate the importance of making sport and physical activity accessible to everyone. We’re proud to work alongside Active LD, Winchester City Council and the University of Winchester to provide an inclusive environment where people can enjoy being active and feel part of their local community.”
The volunteer total, including corporate volunteering, is now over 60 people. Corporate volunteers came from: Simplyhealth, Quilter, Mitie, Virgin Media O2, Energise Me, Winchester City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, and Rise Winchester and Southampton.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Winchester Personal Bests was previously known as Paralympic Personal Bests.