Colleagues Team Up for Big Day of Volunteering with Disability Sport Wales

August 26, 2022

Twenty-nine colleagues from A.F. Blakemore have volunteered a day of work time to help Disability Sport Wales deliver a major sports festival event. 

On 1st August, 22 members of the Marketing team joined forces with six colleagues from Blakemore Retail’s Baglan and Penlan stores and Area Manager Ian Bailes to assist Disability Sport Wales with the launch day of its Para Sport Festival at Swansea University.

The week-long festival offered people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to try out more than 20 different sports. The event was open to both disabled and non-disabled people aged five and over.

The Blakemore team members were each allocated a station to help people who came along to the event, but in order to get involved they had a try of the sports as well. 

Blakemore Retail Area Manager Ian Bailes commented: "I have been involved with several volunteering projects with the company, but the event with Disability Sport Wales was the most rewarding volunteering opportunity that I have been involved with.

"It was a very enjoyable day and great to see the level of skill on display from the participants and the joy the day brought to them.”

Marketing Manager Jo Laidlar added: “Disability Sport Wales is a fantastic charity to be associated with, making a positive contribution to the community by enabling people with disabilities to take part in sports in a controlled environment.

“The coaches and volunteers were fully engaged with the children and adults who took part in what was a fun, enjoyable environment and a memorable experience.”

Disability Sport Wales is the lead organisation for disability physical activity in Wales. Its purpose is to ensure that disabled people are as likely to have a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity, including sport, as non-disabled people.

Through SPAR, A.F. Blakemore has been the organisation’s national community partner since 2020. The business has been supporting the organisation’s Insport Series events, which provide inclusive sporting opportunities for disabled adults and young people across Wales. 
 

Upcoming Opportunities

If you would like to get involved in volunteering at a Disability Sport Wales event, one of the next big opportunities is on Sunday 20th November:

Event: Insport Series: Rotary Games
Partner: Cardiff Rotary Club
Location: Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff
Time: 10:00 – 15:00

Overview: The Rotary Games provide a competitive opportunity for Special Olympics and Learning Disability sports clubs across South Wales. The provision is targeted at people with learning disabilities.

Volunteers will support the delivery of sport opportunities or the administration of the event on the day.
 

If you are interested in getting involved, please email Tom Rogers at Disability Sport Wales: tom.rogers@disabilitysportwales.com
 

Children and colleagues trying out different sports activities at the Para Sport Festival

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