What is Special Olympics Great Britain?
Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) is a movement that uses sport to create a world where people with an intellectual, or as is more widely known, a learning disability are seen, valued and taken seriously (charity no. 800329 and SC052090).
We have a network of over 100 grassroots sporting clubs across England, Scotland and Wales, making us the UK's largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for people with an intellectual disability.
Our training, competitions and events help people with an intellectual disability to build confidence, form lasting friendships and develop skills that support their independence and everyday life.
Coca-Cola has been a founding partner and global sponsor of Special Olympics since its inception, extending this commitment to Special Olympics GB from its launch in 1978. Today, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners proudly continues this legacy through its long-standing partnership with Special Olympics GB.
Special Olympics GB National Summer Games 2026
This summer, we host our first Special Olympics GB National Summer Games for nine years, creating competition opportunities for more than 1,200 athletes in 15 sports across England Scotland and Wales.
With Coca-Cola as the Games’ Headline Partner, and Co-op supporting the Games through Meals That Matter, athletes will compete with pride, passion and determination over 21 days of competition, with the programme culminating in a major four-day, multi-sport event in Birmingham across August Bank Holiday weekend.
Ticketing details for the Opening Ceremony and Birmingham multi-sport weekend are available here:
🔗 View Ticketing Information
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.
It enables athletes to train, compete and progress - from grassroots clubs to regional and national competitions, including the National Summer Games. For some, the Games are a stepping stone towards representing Great Britain at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Chile in 2027.
These moments don’t just change lives on the field of play, they change how athletes are seen in society, shifting perceptions and opening up new opportunities.
Every donation enables more athletes to access inclusive opportunities in 27 sports, reducing loneliness, supporting new skill development and improving well-being.
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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