Plymouth day centre brings Tokyo fun to adults with disabilities

Plymouth Day Opportunities, a day service for adults living with disabilities, was flying the flag for Team GB as it hosted its own Olympic games, alongside Tokyo 2020.

The service, which supports up to 15 people with complex learning difficulties and disabilities, held an opening ceremony and a fortnight of games, with everyone successfully bringing home a bronze, silver and gold medal.

The athletes competed in some less conventional events than the usual gymnastics, track and field and swimming, with highlights including the egg and spoon and the sack race.

During a week of closing ceremonies, the people who use the service all had a chance to hold the torch under the home-made Olympic rings as they were awarded their medals on the podium. The artwork for the event was supplied by support worker Ruth Reffell.

Dee Sargent, a support worker at Plymouth Day Opportunities who arranged the event alongside Ruth, said: “It’s very important to us to provide new and exciting activities for the people we support, and the Olympics is so big, it seemed obvious that we should host our own event.

“Everyone got involved, staff as well, and we all had an amazing time getting the medal count up for Team GB.

“When we weren’t competing in our own events, we also enjoyed watching the athletes in Tokyo, and we’re looking forward to following the Paralympics too. I’m delighted with how inspired everyone has been.”

Louise Akehurst, a person supported by Plymouth Day Opportunities, said: “I loved being an Olympic athlete for two weeks, and I liked that we all got the chance to win a bronze, silver and gold medal. My favourite event was the egg and spoon race because that was where I won the gold!”

Plymouth Day Opportunities, is part of Ambito Care and Education, which is part of Salutem.