What is Special Olympics Great Britain?
Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) is a registered charity (800329 and SC052090).
We use the power of sport to transform the lives of children and adults with an
intellectual, or as is more widely
known, a learning disability. This helps them gain confidence, make friends, and learn
important life skills.
Through our network of grassroots sporting clubs across England, Scotland and Wales, we are
the UK’s
largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for people with an
intellectual disability,
creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.
Coca-Cola has been a founding partner and global sponsor of Special Olympics since its
inception, extending this
commitment to Special Olympics GB from the moment the movement launched in Great Britain in
1978. Today, Coca-Cola
Europacific Partners proudly continues this legacy through its long-standing partnership
with Special Olympics GB.
What is an Intellectual (Learning) Disability?
An intellectual (learning) disability affects a person's ability to learn, communicate, and
perform daily activities that many of us take for granted, such as household tasks, managing
money and socialising.
It is a lifelong condition that varies in impact. However, with the right support, most people
with intellectual disabilities can live independent lives.
With more tailored support and guidance, all people with intellectual disabilities can learn,
enjoy and benefit from sport, which often leads to the development of new skills that support
independence and employability, in addition to improved physical and mental well-being and new
social opportunities.
How Your Donation Helps
Your support helps people with intellectual (learning) disabilities stay active, healthy, and connected through the regular sporting opportunities that our clubs provide across England, Scotland and Wales.
Thanks to your generosity, our athletes have the opportunity to compete at regional, national and international level, and these experiences change lives.
Every donation enables more athletes to access inclusive opportunities in 27 sports, reducing loneliness, supporting new skill development and improving well-being.
Make a donation
Making Communication Accessible with 
What is Makaton?
Communication connects us, it helps us share our thoughts, express our feelings, and be part of the world around us. But for some people, communication can be a challenge. That's where Makaton comes in.
Makaton is a communication programme that combines signs, symbols and speech, providing an accessible way for individuals to express themselves, understand others, and participate more fully in everyday life.
Makaton is the UK's leading communication programme for adults and children with learning or communication difficulties. It is also used by everyone who shares their lives, for example, parents and other family members, friends and carers, and education and health professionals.
Have a go at learning some signs, we've created 11 'Conversation Starter' videos for you to try and this useful step-by-step guide .
Conversation Starters
Hello, how are you?
Can I help you?
Where are the baskets?
What do you need?
What are you eating for dinner?
I want pizza
The pizza is over there
Where are the drinks?
I can show you
Thanks, have a good day
Everyone wins when you choose to include
For more information on Makaton, visit makaton.org.
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