The new sessions are being supported by funding from Suffolk County Council’s Activities Unlimited project which was awarded to help Optua run more weekly swimming sessions across the county. The Lowestoft sessions will run every Friday from 1pm to 2pm. The sessions will be launching on Friday 20th January – a week before the leisure centre’s open weekend from the 27th to 29th to officially open the new facilities.

Big Splash sessions give people with disabilities the chance to swim or learn to swim at an accessible swimming pool, supported by staff and volunteers. Sessions already run at Bungay, Leiston, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Mildenhall, Newmarket, Woodbridge, Felixstowe and Haverhill. In 2010/2011 over 6,500 people came along to Big Splash sessions in Suffolk.

The aim is to make it easier for disabled people to learn to swim or do it more regularly. Big Splash sessions are open to anyone with a disability of any age and are also open to anyone recovering from an accident or with a long term health condition. The new sessions are all part of Optua’s Disability Sport Academy Project which aims to get more people into disability sport or become more active in the run up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

2012 is a big year for disability sport in Lowestoft because as well as the new swimming sessions, Optua are also running a Disability Sport Showcase Day at the Leisure Centre on Saturday 24th March which will give people with disabilities a chance to have a go at a wide range of Paralympic and disability sports.


For more information about Big Splash or the Showcase Day, please call Graeme Anderson on 01473 836770. Optua is also looking for anyone who would like to volunteer to help out at the swimming sessions.


 

An array of stunning prizes is up for grabs in a unique online auction to be held this October, with all proceeds split between Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Priceless memorabilia, experiences and treats will go to the highest bidders, with exclusive and luxurious prizes to tempt everyone. The auction is being held in memory of football legend Sir Bobby Robson and breast cancer fundraiser Sally Balch. It will run for two weeks from Saturday 8th – Sunday 23rd October 2011 and aims, alongside a fundraising ball, to raise £250,000 for the two charities.

Mark Robson, Sir Bobby’s son and part of the auction organising committee, said: “My family and I are very grateful to everyone who has already contributed a prize. It will be a very special auction in aid of two fantastic charities and we’re looking forward to it going live in October.”

The astonishing range of prizes includes once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as the chance to attend the Professional Footballers’ Association Awards ceremony, or join Fabio Capello at an England Senior Men’s training session.

Equally unforgettable experiences include a morning on Newmarket Heath with ten times Champion Trainer Sir Michael Stoute, or the chance to play golf at Woburn, home to the British Masters for twenty years. Additional lots such as tickets to the Six Nations Tournament or Centre Court at Wimbledon are sure to excite high bids.

The auction also features luxuries for those who love to be pampered. Generous bidders will snap up a week at a luxury resort in the Bahamas, champagne on the London Eye, or the chance to have a new style created by celebrity hairdresser Lee Stafford. The full list of superb prizes can be found at www.sirbobbysbreakthroughauction.com.

The auction is supported by HRH the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron, as well as culinary legend Delia Smith and former Ipswich stars including Mick Mills MBE, who was Ipswich captain during Sir Bobby’s time as manager.

Mick Mills, now a patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, said: “All of the players are so pleased to celebrate Sir Bobby’s life here in Suffolk. We are delighted to support this wonderful auction and hope everyone gets behind it.”

Gina Long, the auction’s founder, added: “When I started planning the auction, I could only have dreamt that I would get support from such magnificent people and great companies. I am delighted that my dream has been turned into reality through the generous backing of so many businesses and individuals.”

The dazzling prizes include:

• VIP Manchester United tickets donated by Sir Alex Ferguson
• Tickets to The Masters snooker final in 2012, with the chance to meet the players
• A personally addressed and signed replica helmet, donated by Lewis Hamilton
• A rare limited edition of Pele’s autobiography, signed by the man himself
• A Brewshed brewing experience with a firkin of beer – 72 pints! – to take home
• A chance to drive an Aston Martin for a day
• A spa package at Cedar Falls health spa in Somerset
• A personal tour of Alnwick Castle given by the Duchess of Northumberland
• A ‘Honey Bee’ classic Dutch bike
• An exquisite silver Pandora bracelet
• A tutored wine tasting

Mark Robson added: “I’ve no doubt football clubs are inundated with requests to help charities and we are hugely appreciative of the efforts they’ve gone to for us. 

For more information on how to bid or donate, go to: www.sirbobbysbreakthroughauction.com


Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction and Ball
The auction prizes will be on the official auction website: www.sirbobbysbreakthroughauction.com The prizes will also be on dedicated web pages from the Mail on Sunday, East Anglian Daily Times and Lacy Scott & Knight. All websites will credit the companies and individuals who generously donate prizes for the Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction.

Follow the auction on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sirbobbyauction


Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a pioneering charity dedicated to the prevention, treatment and ultimate eradication of breast cancer fighting on three fronts: research, campaigning and education. 

Breakthrough Breast Cancer funds ground-breaking research, campaign for better services and treatments and raise awareness of breast cancer. Through this work the charity believes passionately that breast cancer can be beaten and the fear of the disease removed for good. Find more information at www.breakthrough.org.uk

Sir Bobby Robson Foundation
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation was set up by Sir Bobby in 2008 and he devoted the last 18 months of his life to it.

It funds projects within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust to help improve early detection and find more effective treatments for cancer.

It directly benefits cancer patients within the North East and Cumbria and contributes significantly to the wider, global fight against this terrible disease.

Ground-breaking clinical trials of new cancer drugs are being done at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Find out more information at: www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk



 

15th August 2011 - Colchester Zoo via train & bus - (Bring money for the day)



9th August - Day Trip to Norwich via Train - (Bring money for the day)

16th August - Pleasurewood Hills - (Bring money for the day)



10th August - Swimming & Archery at Bury Leisure Centre - £10

17th August - Gymnastics & Trampolining at Spectrum Gym - £10.

For more information or to register for any of these activities please contact Karl Daniels on 01473 836770 or email tup@optua.org.uk

Optua is a Suffolk based disability charity which runs a range of services for disabled people – go to www.optua.org.uk

Optua is part of the Avenues Trust Group of charitable organisations.

A series of new weekend classes are set to launch on Saturday 10th September 2011, The Young Persons Theatre Project has two purpose built professional studios, plus a theatre situated in the performing arts block at the Suffolk New College in the heart of Ipswich.

The course is aimed to tutor young people between the ages of 6 and 19 years old, and train them in the key areas of the performing arts. Classes have been created to enlighten the student’s energy, passion and motivation within this sector to expand their skill sets.

TYPTP program includes instruction from nine skilled tutors who come with a wide range of experience and professionally trained actors, dancers and theatre coaches. They will cover a range of topics including dance, TV coaching, voice training, mime and stage fighting amongst other various techniques, all within purpose built facilities.

Two international sponsors have agreed to support the projected, by providing financial support for four young students by paying for their tuition for 12 months.

The project has been back by lead patrons who include Neil Morrissey, star of the TV series ‘Men Behaving Badly’, and actress Jenny Agutter, who has appeared in such films as ‘The Railway Children’ and ‘An American Werewolf in London.’

TYPTP also have on board a National Theatre and TV agency (Mr Producer) they have agreed to be involved from day one and will monitor students throughout the year the potential to offer representation to those students who show real potential.

To top it all off at the end of the summer term there will be show case at the theatre in front of parents and casting agents to show off the young people, ability, talents an potential.

For more information contact Tim Allsop on mail@typtp.co.uk or visit the website www.typtp.co.uk.

The Ip-art Festival is now firmly established as a highlight of the cultural year in Ipswich. The ambitious 2011 programme features world-class artists right here on your doorstep and caters for every taste, from pop to poetry, plays to pictures, dance, documentaries, films and comedy.

This year the Ip-art festival gets up close and personal with Peter Andre in Christchurch Park, celebrates the Last Night of the Proms with Katherine Jenkins, sits down for a spot of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales theatre on the Mansion lawn, and enjoys a live broadcast into the park from the Royal Opera House, with Madame Butterfly!

If that’s not enough excitement for you, Ip-art also hosts the 20th Ipswich Music Day on Sun 3rd July, one of the largest free music events in the UK, featuring the brightest talent across Suffolk and East Anglia.

Why not also take a cooking lesson in genuine Asian cuisine at the Indian Summer Mela, and grab a Literary Lunch with Esther Freud, before heading down the pub with Al Murray.

Finally, let Ip-art entertain you al fresco style with two delectable open air screenings, Dirty Dancing returns to Christchurch Park on Fri 8th July, followed hotly by a film that will take you to infinity and beyond, Toy Story 3 on Saturday 9th July.

More information on these and many other events: www.ip-art.com or for live updates, become a fan at www.facebook.com/IpswichArtsFestival

If anyone is a fan of the Kings of Leon, we have a trip organised to see them in concert at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Monday 30th May (Bank Holiday Monday) organised.

The cost is £86 including ticket and transport from Suffolk.

We currently still have plenty of seats available so are now opening this trip up to anyone who is interested in going.

The coach will be picking up from Ipswich (Whitehouse ASDA near A14), Stowmarket (outside the Regal Cinema) and Bury St Edmunds (Tesco store near A14) on the way.


Please contact us on 01473 836770 or email leisure@optua.org.uk asap if you are interested in tickets. Please also pass this message onto to anyone you know who might be interested – ie your friends and family.

A new DVD is being launched next week to inspire people with disabilities to get into sport in Suffolk.

The Be Your Best DVD contains a snapshot of the many disability sports clubs and opportunities in the county and has been produced by a partnership of Suffolk County Council, Optua and Suffolk Sport.

The DVD shows footage from some of the wide variety of fantastic disability sport clubs across the county including the sailing, football, athletics, horse-riding, boccia, wheelchair tennis, powerlifting, swimming and cycling.

The DVD has been inspired by the Paralympic Games coming to the UK next year and has been narrated by local Paralympian Brian Alldis. It is being launched next week to mark the 500 day countdown to the start of the 2012 Paralympic Games and to highlight a drop in participation levels in sport amongst disabled people*.

Adam Baker, Suffolk Project Manager for the 2012 Games, said: “I am absolutely sure that the London 2012 Paralympic Games will inspire many more disabled people from Suffolk to try sport and physical activity.  This DVD is set to be an invaluable resource for anybody wishing to experience the range and diversity of disability sport opportunities across the county.”

David Finn, Optua Leisure Services Manager said: “This DVD showcases some of the fantastic disability sport clubs across Suffolk and watching it makes you realise how much there is going on in our county – and there’s something for everyone! We’ve got some promising young disabled people in Suffolk who we hope will be competing in the Paralympics next year and we hope people will be inspired by this DVD and want to get involved themselves.”

Kevin Filby, Project Manager of Suffolk County Council’s Activities Unlimited Project said, 'We are proud to support this DVD, which will provide a fantastic resource for people in Suffolk. There is so much on offer, and its important that organisations like ourselves, Optua and Suffolk Sport; work together and be proud of our sporting offer in the run up to 2012 and beyond.”

The DVD will be distributed to schools, clubs and leisure centres across the county and a short video of highlights can be viewed on You Tube seen below:

The DVD is accompanied by a comprehensive guide to all the disability clubs and opportunities which can be downloaded from Optua’s Disability Sport Academy website at www.beyourbest.org.uk

For more information about disability sport in Suffolk or to request a DVD please contact Optua Leisure on 01473 836770.

Dear all – I'm just sending round another update on some forthcoming events at Optua:

This Saturday is our Share event in Thurston It's not too late for anyone to sign up to the event and we'd still be keen to hear from anyone who'd like to volunteer! For more information call us on 01473 836777. http://www.optua.org.uk/News_And_Events-Share.asp

Next Wednesday (13th April 2011) is also the Disability Involvement Day being run at the Suffolk One centre in Ipswich. We already have over 100 people attending this but please contact us if you or someone you know is interested. For more information please contact me (James)

Next Saturday (16th April 2011) is Optua Leisure's day trip to see the WWE wrestling at Birmingham NEC. There are several places left on this trip for anyone you know or support and we’d like to offer the tickets to family and friends as we have several left. Please pass this onto anyone who might be interested!


Our new Teaming Up events and activities for young disabled people has also relaunched this week for 2011/12. http://www.optua.org.uk/Leisure-teamingup.asp

For more information about these Optua Leisure events and activities, please contact leisure@optua.org.uk or call 01473 836770.

Hope you don't mind me sending you this info. We'd be grateful if you could forward it onto anyone you work with who might be interested and there's more information at www.optua.org.uk

Thank you

James Powell
Public Relations Manager, Optua
01473 836746

Suffolk-based disability charity Optua has two more big days out coming up over the next two months.

There are several places left on an organised coach trip to see WWE Wrestlemania Revenge at the Birmingham LG Arena on Saturday 16th April 2011.

There are also places on a trip to see Kings of Leon in Concert at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Monday 30th May 2011 (Bank Holiday Monday).

The trips are aimed at anyone with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

Optua’s Leisure Service organises a range of leisure and sporting activities and events throughout the year for people with disabilities, including organised days out to various events and places of interest.

Optua’s day trips provide a safe and supported day out for disabled people of all ages and disabilities.

We do all the organising and provide volunteers to help out on the day.

The coach can pick people up from Ipswich, Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds.

To book or for more information please call 01473 836770 or email leisure@optua.org.uk 

Teaming Up aims to give young disabled people the opportunity to gain more independence, confidence, self esteem and vital social skills, whilst taking part in everyday fun leisure activities. The funding will mean the project will be running evening and holiday sessions for young people aged 14-25 with disabilities or additional needs from April 2011 to March 2012.


Later in the year sessions will also be running in Haverhill, Sudbury and Stowmarket and there will be other regular sessions in Lowestoft, Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. The evening activities will include bowling, cinema, swimming, meals out and visits to interesting places.

For 14-21 year olds there will also be a full programme of daytime school holiday sessions which start with a range of fun activities this Easter.

Karl Daniels, Teaming Up Co-Ordinator, said: “We’re really excited and pleased to receive funding for this project for another year. Everyone who came to Teaming Up sessions last year really enjoyed themselves and we’re looking forward to another year of fun! I hope we can build upon the success of last year and reach lots of new people too.”

Optua is also looking for young people to volunteer at the Teaming Up sessions.
For more information or to register for any of these activities please contact Karl Daniels on 01473 836770 or email tup@optua.org.uk

There’s more information on Optua’s website at - www.optua.org.uk/Leisure-teamingup.asp

You can download a booklet with more information about Teaming Up and the activities planned near you from April 2011 to March 2012. To view it please click here.