The second groundbreaking ABI Games has again attracted participants from across the UK to display their talents and abilities.
The ABI Games was created by Headway Worcestershire to celebrate adults with acquired brain injuries, and to enable them to take part in a number of events to highlight their physical and cognitive abilities, and their creative and life skills.
The event attracted over 170 participants to the University of Worcester Arena, and paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by being titled the ‘Queen Elizabeth II Games for People with Acquired Brain Injury.’
The activities encompassed a diverse range of physical games: boccia, bowls, walking tennis, rugby and football plus seated, table and walking cricket. The life skills category saw entries for growing the tallest sunflower, wonky fruit or vegetables, baking a cake, scones, loaf of bread or jar of preserve.
The creative expression category showcased remarkable entries in pottery, photography, woodwork, drawing or painting, creative writing and crafts. And the fourth category of cognitive skills challenged prowess in dominoes, chess, Uno, a memory game and Sjoelbak: a Dutch shuffleboard game.
The ABI Games have been supported for the past two years by a grant of £50,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Mandie Fitzgerald, CEO of Headway Worcestershire, expressed her pride in the success of the second ABI Games.
“I cannot be more proud of our magnificent national ABI community who came together to celebrate an array of abilities and skills across four categories,” she said.
“The ABI Games were created to ensure it was an all-inclusive event and that there was an event for everyone with an ABI.
“A big heartfelt thank you to the 60 volunteers who turned up on the day to judge, run an event, MC, befriend and support individuals throughout the day.”
The event’s success has now set the stage for the third ABI Games.
“Our next games will be held in August 2025 and we are looking for sponsors to ensure we can continue to offer this unique platform to showcase everyone’s amazing skills that have been relearnt or newly discovered,” said Mandie.
For more information about the ABI Games, or to get involved for 2025, visit here
