Team Optalis at Parallel Windsor

On Sunday 2^nd July, Team Optalis joined the Parallel Windsor event held in Windsor Great Park and along the Long Walk. Parallel is an inclusive event held for the first time in Windsor this year, having had previous success at the Olympic Park in London.

With Challenge Events for everybody of all ages and abilities, the event also included the Festival of Inclusivity and Charity Village, where groups from a wide range of different areas pitched up. These areas included; Community, Leisure, Arts & Play, Lifestyle and Mind Sports.

Team Optalis represented in the Community zone and customers from our Community Lives services and ILS homes in Windsor and Maidenhead, participated in the Challenge Events with Elliott smashing the 5k, which passed the historic Copper Horse at the top of the Long Walk and the rest of the Team thoroughly enjoying the Super Sensory 1k. Phillipe loved going through the ‘Car Wash’ and Team Captain Martin laughed his way through the bubbles and fans along the way.

Daisy – “It was better than I thought and I was really pleased that I decided to go. The best part was the Sensory Walk and I really liked being with my friends.”

Our friends from Leisure Focus and Maidenhead Magpies were there and Tashfeen couldn’t resist a photo with Yorkie the Mascot ! Jade enjoyed finding out what other opportunities she could try (Absolute Karting being top of her list), Jeremy was interested in all the different stalls and activities, Daisy was proud to receive her medal and bravely held an owl and Norean just loved exploring all the different tents and marquees. Katie and Rachel also joined us and enjoyed the atmosphere and cheering on all the competitors.

Claire – supporting Norean – “Parallel gave the opportunity for Norean to experience a fully inclusive event. She is happiest within a Sensory environment and during the Super Sensory walk, Norean was interactive and fully engaged, clapping and vocalising with happy sounds. It was really rewarding and a privilege to support her for an amazing day out.”

It was a fantastic day and great to see so many people from different places, many travelling from different parts of the country, enjoying being part of something very special.

We spotted some famous faces giving their support and joining in the Challenge events; Ellie Simmonds GB Paralympian Swimmer and Strictly Star, Isaac Harvey MBE and Comedian Rosie Jones with coverage from the BBC sharing how important it is for people of all abilities to be included and how it CAN be achieved. The ethos of Parallel being “we start together, finish whenever

Andrew Douglass, the event organiser with Parallel Lifestyle promoted the event and has secured a 5 year residency with RBWM and The Crown Estate for the event to continue as an annual fixture. We're looking forward to joining in again next year!