Panathlon is a national charity dedicated to giving young people with disabilities and special educational needs (SEN) the opportunity to participate in competitive sports. Since its founding in 1996, Panathlon has focused on empowering disabled young people, their schools, and wider communities, investing over £12 million in creating transformative sporting opportunities.
The Challenge
Despite its clear impact, Panathlon sought to better articulate the outcomes of its work and understand its wider ripple effects beyond direct engagement. With national data highlighting that 43% of people with disabilities are inactive—and this figure rising to 51% for those with multiple impairments—there was a pressing need to demonstrate Panathlon’s effectiveness in addressing these disparities. To secure ongoing support and refine its programmes, Panathlon needed a robust framework for evaluating its impact.
The Solution
Panathlon partnered with Bean Research to develop a comprehensive approach to impact measurement. Bean Research supported Panathlon in:
- Developing a Theory of Change: Clearly articulating how Panathlon’s programmes lead to meaningful outcomes for participants and communities.
- Creating an Impact Evaluation Toolkit: Providing a structured methodology to assess and demonstrate Panathlon’s achievements.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Assisting Panathlon’s team with data gathering to ensure robust evidence.
The Results
Bean Research’s evaluation revealed the transformative effects of Panathlon’s programmes on participants and the broader school community. Key findings included:
- Access to Competitive Sport: 81% of schools reported that Panathlon enabled children’s first-ever competitive sports experience.
- Inclusive PE Growth: 92% of schools increased inclusive sports provision after participating in Panathlon, incorporating new ideas, approaches and resources.
- Ripple Effect: For every pupil attending a Panathlon event, an additional 1.45 pupils benefited through enhanced extracurricular activities and inclusive PE in their schools.
- Personal Development: 100% of schools observed increased self-esteem among competitors, while 95% noted students taking more pride in representing their school.
Conclusion
Panathlon’s partnership with Bean Research has strengthened its role as a leader in inclusive sport. By employing a structured evaluation framework, Panathlon effectively demonstrates its impact, which includes enhancing participants’ self-esteem and inspiring schools to improve inclusive physical education practices.
This evidence highlights Panathlon’s commitment to addressing the inactivity gap for disabled young people and reinforces its mission to create transformative opportunities. It also helps refine programmes, secure future support, and continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people with disabilities and special educational needs.
“This independent research proves that Panathlon is highly effectively, boosting the self-esteem, confidence, expectations, ambition and social and physical skills of competitors. It also shows that Panathlon has a hugely positive knock-on effect on inclusive PE and sport in schools, and empowers Young Leaders with skills, perspective and unforgettable life experience”.
Ashley Iceton, CEO, Panathlon
