Why does Special Olympics GB exist

Special Olympics GB exists to offer people with intellectual disabilities (ID) or learning disabilities  a chance to take part in sport within their communities all year round.  

There are approximately 1.5 million people living with an intellectual disability in Great Britain today and it is our mission to grow our organisation so we can help transform the lives of as many as possible. 

Unfortunately, the statistics around people with intellectual disabilities make for sombre reading.  

Here’s some of our athletes to explain more: 

In addition, our reason for Special Olympics GB to exist also reflects the following: 

•    1 in 3 young people with a learning disability spend less than 1 hour outside their home on a typical Saturday. (Mencap 2016)
•    44% of people with an intellectual disability took part in less than 30 minutes of exercise a week. (Sport England, 2018)
•    Only 44% of disabled people feel they are given the opportunity to be as active as they would like to be. (Activity Alliance, 2020)
•    1 in 4 disabled people had taken part in an organised activity session in the last year (Activity Allliance, 2020)
•    81% of disabled people would like to be more active (Activity Alliance, Annual Disability and Activity Survey, 2019-2020)
•    Only 40% of disabled people feel they are given the opportunity to be as active as they would like to be (Activity Alliance, Annual Disability and Activity Survey, 2019-2020)
•    77% of young disabled adults (in the 18-34 age group) feel lonely (Sense, 2017)

The work of Special Olympics GB is currently funded by individuals, trusts and corporate donations and financial support is crucial to enable us to continue our work.

With your help, together we can make a difference for people with intellectual disabilities and help build a more equal inclusive society.    

If you’d like to help us and get involved in some way, please see below: 

To make a donation, please click HERE. 
To partner with us, please click HERE.