Championing World Down’s Syndrome Day With Warrington Wolves

Our charity has teamed up with Warrington Wolves to celebrate World Down’s Syndrome Day (21st March), creating two special experiences for local people with Down’s syndrome – celebrating their lives, raising awareness, and shining a spotlight on the challenge of loneliness.

On Thursday 19th March, people supported by Community Integrated Care in Warrington and participants in Warrington Wolves Foundations’ programmes will be welcomed as VIP guests at a Warrington Wolves Team Run session. During the visit they will have the chance to meet and play alongside first-team stars, chat about the new Super League season, and share stories from their own lives.

To mark the occasion, Warrington Wolves players will be training in both their home and away socks  – supporting odd socks, a global symbol of World Down Syndrome Day. This represents the unique 21st chromosome and that differences that should be embraced and celebrated.

Then on Saturday 21 March, people supported by Community Integrated Care, alongside participants from Warrington Wolves Foundation and Castleford Tigers Foundation – including players from their respective Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League teams – will form a guard of honour at the Super League fixture between Warrington Wolves and Castleford Tigers, leading their heroes onto the pitch.

Supporters attending the match are encouraged to wear odd socks to stand in solidarity, show visible support, and join the advocacy for a more inclusive society.

                                                                            A partnership built on inclusion – tackling loneliness

World Down Syndrome Day raises awareness of the barriers people with Down syndrome can face, and the role we all play in building a society where everyone can live with equality, opportunity, and belonging. In 2026, the campaign particularly highlights the impact of loneliness.

We’re proudly the Official Social Care Partner of Rugby League, and this year celebrates a decade of impact with the game. It has worked closely with Warrington Wolves throughout this decade to deliver inclusive opportunities that build confidence, connection and community

The Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League enables people to live out the dream of playing for the clubs they love – supported by coaches, teammates and a community of friends.

Our charity’s Inclusive Volunteering™ model, which has been supported by the club and its Foundation, enables people who draw on support to develop new skills and relationships through vocational experiences.  96% of participants report making new friends – demonstrating the power of belonging and shared purpose.

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care, says: “It feels especially fitting to celebrate Down’s Syndrome Day alongside Warrington Wolves – a club and Foundation we’ve worked with closely for many years to deliver truly transformative impacts.

Through our decade of collaboration with Rugby League, working with partners like Warrington Wolves, we’ve challenge exclusion by creating life changing opportunities, visible moments of pride, and opportunities for people to be known for their potential, their passions and their voices – not the labels society can place on them. We thank the leadership, coaching teams and players of Warrington Wolves, and their Foundation, for once again helping to make dreams come true, and for standing with our charity with this important advocacy.”