Outside the Box has really got into the swing of the 2026 Lexus Ilkley Open tennis tournament, from designing event posters, to helping out as volunteers.
Members of the charity, all adults with learning disabilities, have stepped up to help make the event running this week at Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club inclusive and accessible for people of all abilities.
In support of the tournament, Mark Bowness from Beyond Magazine paid Outside the Box’s Print Group a visit, inviting them to design prints for the event, with an opportunity for one to be selected for the June issue of the magazine.
Ben Horner, OTB Print Group member, presented his work, ‘The Winner’, and was chosen to have his work printed in the current issue of Beyond. Ben said he felt ‘very proud’ of his work, and Katie McEwan, OTB Services Coordinator, commented:
"Ben’s work is fantastic! He is a credit to Outside the Box, and we’re delighted that his talent and creativity are being showcased in this way. Well done to every member of Print Group for their brilliant designs and thank you to the team at Beyond.’
Ben’s piece can be seen on the inner cover of Beyond Magazine, with further information on the work of the OTB Print also featured. All the prints will be available to purchase at Beyond’s stall at the tournament, with all proceeds going to support the work of Outside the Box.
In addition, members from OTB will be volunteering across the week of the tournament, working alongside volunteers and staff from the Tennis Foundation and Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club to welcome and support guests at the event’s information station.
Louise Hale, CEO of the charity that runs Outside the Box, said:
“We have a long-standing collaboration with the Ilkley Tennis Club including running our weekly inclusive fitness sessions in their premises. Building on this partnership and our links with Beyond magazine to create exciting new opportunities for our members is a very welcome and appreciated development.
“We very much look forward to a growing relationship with the tournament and the LTA Foundation in future, promoting accessibility in the sport and fully harnessing the opportunities of this great local event for people with learning disabilities in our community”.
For any further information or contact details visit the website www.outsidetheboxcafe.com
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