The Winter Paralympics: 50 Years in the Making ‘The Winter Paralympics: 50 Years in the Making’ is a new 30-minute documentary, led by Dr. Christopher Brown, Senior Lecturer in Sports Development at the University of Hertfordshire and founder of the Disability Sports Info podcast. A partnership between the University of Hertfordshire, and NPHT, this project has been funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), through an award from the University of Hertfordshire’s ESRC Impact Acceleration Account. The film, produced by filmmaker Kat Mace, draws on the rich history the National Paralympic Heritage Trust exists to preserve, exploring a story that has been largely neglected, until now. It is free to watch on YouTube and we hope you’ll share it as widely as you can. Watch the film here: The Winter Paralympics: 50 Years in the Making The film tells the story of the Winter Paralympic Games from its origins in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden in 1976, when six British athletes travelled to compete in the first-ever Winter Paralympics, largely self-funded and ill-equipped, through to the elite global movement we know today. Through interviews with Mike Brace CBE DL, Sean Rose, and Kelly Gallagher MBE, alongside 1976 volunteer Lasse Söderlind, Paralympic historian Dr Ian Brittain and Anna Scott-Marshall of ParalympicsGB, it is a film about the people who built the foundations of a Movement which continues to grow and develop. "This film is a powerful reminder of why our work matters so urgently. Even I, working at the heart of this organisation every day, found myself learning and being moved by stories I had never fully heard before. We still have so much history to uncover and share from those involved in the early movement capturing stories through oral history and film that will otherwise be lost". Vicky Hope-Walker, NPHT CEO Dr. Brown, who specialises in Paralympic legacy and in the development of the Paralympics, provides a critical eye as he looks ahead to the future of the Games, and the challenges necessary to overcome for the Movement to continue to thrive. "I wanted to take a critical perspective to this project, to not only report on the history of the Winter Paralympics, but also to consider the future direction of the event"... "I hope the legacy of this film is an awareness and understanding of the rich history of the Winter Paralympics, and that the Winter Paralympics are given greater focus and attention in the UK going forward". Dr. Christopher Brown, University of Hertfordshire The film is free to watch on YouTube, with a BSL interpreted version to follow shortly. Watch it, share it, and help us make sure these stories reach the audiences they deserve. Can you help us preserve this history? The NPHT is calling on Paralympians, their families, and anyone connected to the Winter Paralympic Movement to get in touch and share their memories. This film was another reminder of just how at-risk important early Winter and Summer Paralympic stories and collections are. From letters and photographs to sports kit and pin badges - if you’re thinking of having a clear out, please talk to us before anything is lost. Email our Communications Officer: [email protected] Coming soon: an in-depth feature exploring the history of the Winter Paralympic Games - from those first six British athletes in Sweden in 1976, to the global Movement of today. Manage Cookie Preferences