“It is very important that young people with disabilities have access to all sports. One, it helps them to make new friends, two it gets them out there doing something physically active and enjoying life!” – Harin, Badminton Coach

On Sunday 9 November, Access Sport hosted our second inclusive multi-sport festival in Birmingham, welcoming 48 young people for a day of fun, connection and inclusive sport.

The event was made possible with the support of Sport Birmingham and Cerebral Palsy Sport and marked our largest festival in Birmingham to date.

Held at King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls, the festival was designed to give local disabled and disadvantaged young people and their families the chance to explore and enjoy the range of inclusive sports available in their community.

With 17 Birmingham-based inclusive sports clubs and organisations at the event, participants had plenty of opportunities to take part in inclusive taster sessions and visit informative stalls.

Our multi-sport festivals not only provide disabled and disadvantaged young people with a fun day out with their family, but also allow families to connect, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere of shared support and celebration.

The energy and enthusiasm from participants was truly inspiring. For many, this was their first time trying different sports, and each activity was thoughtfully adapted to meet individual needs, ensuring everyone was able to participate safely and confidently. The event was completely free, removing financial barriers and making it accessible to everyone.

A parent of a participant at the festival said:

"Fantastic event!! Please continue the great work. My child tried sports he would have been reluctant to participate in before and really enjoyed."

The festival proved to be a valuable experience not only for the participants but also for the providers. Unlocking Potential Deaf and Hearing CIC shared their gratitude for being part of the event, noting that they learned a great deal from both the participants and fellow providers. As Unlocking Potential Deaf & Hearing is a recent addition to our Birmingham clubs’ network, the festival offered the coaches an excellent opportunity to connect with local providers and showcase her club’s inclusive programs to a wide range of disabled and disadvantaged young people.

A coach from Unlocking Potential Deaf and Hearing CIC, shared:

“These environments are key to allow talent to spark. Beautiful memories are being created today through all the sports here. It’s been amazing watching everyone here participate in each sport.”

The highlight of the day unfolded during one a Judo session that truly embodied inclusion and fun. Wheelchair users were invited to join the action by lying on the tatami (judo mat), while everyone army crawled in a playful race to get the judo belt and return it to their ‘base’. The atmosphere was electric with laughter, freedom and pure joy. Everyone participating was on a level playing field, sharing an experience that celebrated connection and the joy of physical activity.

The multi-sport festival is part of our Changing Places project, which targets underserved communities across Birmingham, where health disparities remain a significant challenge. Despite the city’s rich sporting heritage, many families still face barriers accessing inclusive sport. Through festivals like this and a growing network of inclusive clubs, we are working to expand opportunities for all and strengthen community sport in the area.

Sophie Humphries, Senior Development Manager at Access Sport said:

“It was a fantastic opportunity to welcome local families from diverse backgrounds across Birmingham to engage with a variety of inclusive sports and activities. It was important to me to include both traditional structured sports alongside more creative movement activities like circus, dance and AR dodgeball. The focus was all about play and giving things a go for the first time.”

If you would like to find out more about this event or future events like this, please contact [email protected].

To see all the pictures from the day, click the link below.

Birmingham Multi-Sport Festival >

For direct information on our Changing Places work in Birmingham, please follow the link below.

Changing Places Birmingham >