In partnership with Sport England and The National Lottery, Mencap have launched Round the World Challenge
Round the World Challenge supports people with a learning disability to get outside and get active in a way that is flexible, fun and empowering.
How does it work?
Round the World Challenge is about turning hours of fun sporting and physical activities into a round-the-world adventure.
You can take part in a variety of activities, including Zumba, boccia, walking-rugby and more traditional sports like football, cycling and tennis.
Each hour of activity you log moves you closer to your next destination, on your way to complete your route!
You can choose from three different routes:
- UK route: 20 hours of activity
- Europe route: 40 hours of activity
- World route: 100 hours of activity
You will receive a postcard from a different location as the number of hours of activity you do takes you around your chosen journey. There are also volunteering recording opportunities when you've finished your travels!
Round the World Challenge has reached 4189 participants at 230 groups. The programme is available to any organisation or person who wants to use the programme to inspire people with a learning disability to be more active.
What are the benefits?
As well as the health benefits of increasing physical activity, the programme will also support participants into:
Volunteering opportunities – We recognise that Round the World Challenge is the start of the journey for people, and we want them to continue being active in their local communities. When people have completed all routes they can continue recording their hours as a participant or they can transfer to a volunteer helping others on their journey.
Vijay Patel, who took part in a pilot scheme said:
“Taking part in Round the World Challenge has made me so confident and helped me get a paid job.
"I feel so much fitter and I’ve made loads of friends. I am now vice-captain of a 5-a-side Football team where I am one of the top goal scorers!
"Thank you to players from the National Lottery for giving us the money to help more people like me get involved.”
