Not so with Parallel Windsor – a truly accessible outdoor festival, inclusive by design. Aimed at people with disabilities and those without, the togetherness is what makes it special.
Shaftesbury was involved in Parallel’s inaugural event in 2016 and we’re thrilled to be a partner again for its 10th anniversary at Great Windsor Park on 5 July.
The event centres around sporting challenges for all ages, health conditions and abilities, but over the years has grown into a full festival with side helpings of music, food, arts, entertainment and taster sessions of disability sports.
More than 4,000 attendees are expected this year.
People we support across all our services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been invited to join us for what promises to be a joyful day. People with disabilities are so often restricted to being a spectator at mass participation events so it’s novel to be part of the target audience and take part on equal terms.
More than 75 members of #TeamShaftesbury will be there, many of them competing in the 100m, 1k, 5k or 10k races, busting moves in the Greatest Dancer competition, or taking on the SuperSensory challenge – a series of activities engaging the five senses.
Competitors can walk, wheel, push or run the distance challenges. Mobility aids and assistance animals are welcomed and there are no cut‑off times – the Parallel mantra is ‘start together, finish whenever’. There’s even an option to participate virtually and everybody who starts a challenge gets a medal, t-shirt and goodie bag.
We have our Vice-Patron, the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury, to thank for instigating this partnership. Nick Ashley-Cooper is the great grandson of our earliest founder, the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. He honours this legacy by championing people with disabilities as an advocate for both Shaftesbury and Parallel.
Nick himself experienced disability following a horse-riding accident in 2009, which is how he came to be involved with a spinal injury charity. It was here where he met Parallel co-founder, Andrew Douglass.
Andrew has over 30 years’ experience of organising events all over the world, but it was only when his dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s that his eyes were opened to disability. Meeting Nick was the catalyst for Andrew and his wife Claudia to set up “something with lasting purpose” and Parallel came into being as a social enterprise.
“Our simple aim is to support deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people to be free to live life to the full,” according to Andrew. Specifically, this includes the opportunity to participate in mass sporting events as he felt there was nothing out there allowing people with disabilities to compete alongside non-disabled people.
“There are loads of phenomenal charities campaigning for disability rights. What we’re doing is focusing on the positive aspects of disability, highlighting what a truly inclusive society could look like,” says Andrew.
Laura from Shaftesbury Kenway Court in Essex is looking forward to the day out with her parents and brother. They’ve all entered the 5k event which is quite a distance for Laura in her motorised chair, but she’s always game for a new challenge.
Laura was paralysed 12 years ago after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a fall. She says: “Parallel Windsor is specifically arranged with disability in mind so we can attend as a family without the worry of having to make adjustment or adaptations. It’s an opportunity to not only represent Kenway Court, but also interact with other people that have similar disabilities and to share life experiences.”
Nine people from Shaftesbury Anvil House, another of our residential homes, will also be travelling from Essex. “Both the people we support and staff are all very excited to take part. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone and completing our various challenges, representing Anvil House and Shaftesbury,” says Service Delivery Lead, Carolyn Maltby.
As a charity partner, Shaftesbury is sponsoring a sensory garden created by an organisation called Little Muddy Boots – the aim is to inspire both children and adults to explore and connect with nature.
“The garden is designed to spark curiosity and imagination. It will enable people we support and others with disabilities to enjoy the simple pleasure of spending time outdoors. Parallel is a perfect opportunity for us to connect with new audiences to share what we do and raise awareness of our work,” says our Fundraising Event Manager, Sonia Richardson.
Andrew says: “We’re genuinely delighted to be working with Shaftesbury given the part it plays in Parallel’s history. The charity was integral to our very first event a decade ago and shares in our mission to celebrate disability inclusion.
“This year’s event is shaping up to be a really exciting day; a perfect opportunity for Shaftesbury to showcase it’s incredible work and facilities,” he says.
There will be on-site parking, accessible toilets and changing facilities, medical support, sensory spaces and a quiet zone. Genuinely something for everyone.