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ActivLives is a local charity, which relies on grants, trusts, donations, fundraising activities, sponsorship & commissions to enable us to provide & develop our services across Ipswich & Suffolk.

Accessible Sports

Festivals & Tournaments
We regularly hold inclusive festivals and friendly competitions in local sports venues. These events are targeted at older, independent adults and include sports such as Boccia, Badminton, New Age Kurling and the multi-sport ‘Community Games’.

Special Olympics
In partnership with Special Olympics Suffolk, we deliver sport sessions specifically targeted at participants with a learning (intellectual) disability. These ‘Inclusive’ sessions currently focus on the sports of Badminton and Boccia. These sessions are fun and engaging with a serious side as well – we are all trying to improve our skill level!
Current Activity Sessions

Boccia
A Paralympic sport that anyone can play but you have to be sitting down!

Bowls
We play the Short-Mat version of the game in the winter months and we go outside to play Lawn Bowls in the summer.

Health Walks
Our walks are an excellent way to meet and make new friends (particularly if you don’t like walking on your own) and keep active at the same time!

Net Sports
We love to hit things back and forth over a net – sessions include Badminton, Short Tennis and Ping Pong.

New Age Kurling
This is an adapted version of the Winter Olympic sport of Ice Curling, only without the ice and all of that frantic sweeping!

Walking Football
If team sports are your thing, then this may be the game for you. No running allowed though!

Yoga
A form of exercise which is designed to develop a feeling of total well-being.
Beginners are very welcome.
Whitton Sports Centre
Tuesdays –
ActivBadminton
10:30am – 12:30pm
£4.50 per person
Thursdays –
ActivBoccia
10:30am – 12:30pm
£4.50 per person
Ping Pong and Short Tennis
2:00pm – 3:30pm
£4.50 per person
Gainsborough Sports Centre
Tuesdays –
ActivBowls (Short Mat indoors)
10:30am – 12:30pm
£4.50 per person
Wednesdays –
Ping Pong & Short Tennis
10:30am-12noon
£4.50 per person
Thursdays –
ActivWalking Football (All weather pitches)
10:30am-12noon
£5.00 per person
Suffolk New College Sports Centre
Wednesdays –
Inclusive Badminton for adults with a learning disability
3:45pm – 4:45pm & 5:00pm – 6:00pm
£4.00 per person
Christchurch Park Ipswich
Health Walk
(every fortnight, please check dates on the calendar or by calling the office – 01473 345350) Meet at the Soane Street gate.
Free
Landseer Road Methodist Church
Wednesday
ActivYoga for beginners and Improvers
1:15pm-2:15pm
£6.00
Walton Community Hall
Saturday
ActivFelixstowe – New Age Kurling and Boccia
1:00pm-3:00pm
£5.00
Meet the Staff

Mike McCarthy
ActivSport Project Manager

Frazier Seager
ActivAgeing Community Development Officer
News from ActivSport
ActivLives receives donation from Heartbeat charity
ActivLives received a generous support from another local charity in Ipswich. Heartbeat, a self-help group started by people in Ipswich and East Suffolk, donated £1000 to ActivLives’ BreatheFit programme on the 10th December 2025. ActivAgeing Development Officer...
ActivLives holds inclusive badminton tournament
The ActivLives Inclusive Badminton Tournament was held recently at Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The event, delivered by ActivLives, in partnership with Special Olympics Suffolk, was full of action with 30 competitors from inclusive groups in Ipswich,...
ActivLives to hold Inclusive Badminton in November
The ActivLives charity is organising an Inclusive Badminton Tournament on the 30th of November at the Gainsborough Sports Centre in partnership with Special Olympics Suffolk. The event is also being supported by Suffolk Community Foundation, and Ipswich Borough...
Upcoming ActivSport Events
Click on the button below to look at our ActivSport calendar of events