Partnering with the University of Worcester Arena, charity Headway Worcestershire has hosted the first ever ‘National Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Games’ over the August bank holiday weekend, and it was a hugely successful event.
Thanks to a two-year £50,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, the ABI Games paid tribute to the Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year by naming the event the ‘Queen Elizabeth II Games for People with Acquired Brain Injury’.
Adults with an acquired brain injury from across the UK made their mark with remote creative applications prior to the event and over 80 other contestants tested their abilities by participating in 24 various activities over the weekend.
Activities included physical games such as boccia and bowls, as well as walking tennis, cricket, rugby, and football. There were some impressive entries in the category for creative expression which encompassed pottery, art, creative writing, and photography, as well as life skills comprising some delicious entries in the form of baking a cake, scones, and making a preserve. Cognitive ventures like dominoes, quizzes, Uno, drafts, cribbage, and chess were a huge hit.
Mandie Fitzgerald, CEO at Headway Worcestershire, says: “We only had four months to create this special event after our funding was confirmed. We managed to create a unique platform in which to celebrate the incredible skills and talents of our ABI community nationwide.
I couldn’t be prouder of the first Headway Worcestershire ABI Games and shed a tear when reflecting on all of the happiness, friendships and achievements made over the last two days.
The weekend surpassed all my expectations; I can’t wait until the next event, which we have already planned for the 3rd August 2023. Thank you for the amazing support from friends, family and volunteers and the National Lottery Community Fund for making this weekend possible. We are all so very proud and thankful to everyone involved.”
Blondel Cluff CBE, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund and Chair of the UK Funding Committee, says: “Thanks to National Lottery players, Headway Worcestershire has brought the community together for this pioneering event, whilst also raising awareness of acquired brain injuries and showcasing the talent and determination of those affected. We have been proud to fund this event as part of our wider support for the Platinum Jubilee year and hope the Acquired Brain Injury Games continues to grow in the years ahead.”
If you’d like to find out more about the ABI Games, or sign-up to participate or volunteer for the next ABI Games, scheduled for Thursday 3rd August 2023, please email Headway Worcestershire: abigames@hwtl.org.uk. For more about the project please go to: https://headwayworcestershire.org.uk/abi-games or call: 01905 729729