Newsletter Issue 3
It’s the third issue of our newsletter. Bringing you updates about our community and projects, keep reading to see what we’ve been up to since the Spring 2024 newsletter!
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“I can’t thank you enough. she is engaged, readily listens to Laura, copies her actions and likes playing with her sister doing the same activities. She is more confident in communicating with these activities and this helps me to help her out with the videos and also support the wider family and nursery to do the same.”
Upcoming Fundraiser
Join Us and Support our Oarsome Maths Mission!
We’re taking to the lovely River Thames once more for a dragon boat race, raising money for a brand new series in Teach Me Too, created with The Maths Mum and the Maths for Life programme!
There’s still time to come along, show your support, and most importantly, donate!
Find out more information about how you can be a part of our mission to break down barriers for individuals with Down’s syndrome here.
A new Learning for Life series with the Down's Syndrome community!
We’re really proud of this one!
The newest series in Learning for Life, ‘How To… Be Healthy’, is led by and features members of the SEND community across a range of exercise videos. Putting our beneficiaries at the very heart of our work!
This series has been so well-received, but don’t take our word for it… take a look at the sneak preview of the Strength video with Joe from Inclusive Sport!
“It’s an amazing set of resources... I saw that she really enjoyed the “talking mats” approach of exercise .v. not exercise, for example, and can see that being very beneficial as we progress. ”
Down's Syndrome Association
We were very pleased to announce our official partnership with the Down’s Syndrome Association a few weeks ago. Our two organisations will be working together for the Down’s syndrome community. Read more about this in our recent press release.
Important campaigns and events that the DSA:
General Election - My Voice My Vote - if your young person is over 18, ensure they vote this week! The DSA has a wide range of resources to support them in doing so
World Down’s Syndrome Congress - Brisbane (9th-12th July). Representing the DSA are two of their Inclusion Advisors, Catherine and Joe. Read more about this on the DSA website.
Upcoming training sessions:
Early Years and Primary Education training workshop - 19th September
Delivering effective differentiation in the classroom - 26th September
Spotlight!
South Manchester Down’s Syndrome Support Group
We are a registered charity supporting people with Down’s syndrome and their families to live happy, fulfilling lives. Our events and activities span all age ranges. Our fortnightly preschool provides peer-to-peer support for parents, with monthly visits from speech and language and occupational therapists for the little ones to support development at the earliest stages. We are very excited to be launching our 5-9-year-old activity group this September. We have an active group of 10-16-year-olds who enjoy regular activities together, such as bowling and karaoke. Our over 17-year-olds also love their monthly get-togethers – activities include bowling, dance classes, painting, photography, and nights out in Manchester. We also work in partnership with the Down’s Syndrome Association to deliver its WorkFit programme, bringing together employers and jobseekers with Down’s syndrome in the Manchester area. Throughout the year, we also offer training with industry leaders for parents and professionals supporting our members.
At SMDSSG, we know how important connections are for families who have a child with an additional need. As such, we are incredibly proud of our monthly Chatterbox club, a lovely family social occasion where children meet with others of a similar age for speech therapy and all our families can come together to enjoy lots of fantastic, fun-filled activities! This year, we have also launched our parent socials which have been very well received and give parents a chance to share experiences, understanding and empathy.
If you have a family member with Down’s syndrome in the Greater Manchester area and you would like to be involved in our events and activities, please do get in touch!
“It has been amazing for them - so clear. Continue doing this for other subjects, it has been amazing.”
Our Trustees
Leading the way at our upcoming fundraiser
Our incredible trustees are a key part of our fundraising efforts, and this year we have two of our fantastic trustees taking part in the Oarsome Maths Mission.
Take a look at Karen and the team at Maths for Life, getting ready to row!
Chair of trustees, Nikki, is a seasoned pro at Dragon Boat racing, having attended last year too! Watch the recap video of the Race for Friendship here.
Donor
The Garfield Weston Foundation recently awarded us a grant to support the running of our charity and our overall development and progress of our projects. Without grants like this one, our work doesn’t happen.
We are exceptionally grateful to the Foundation, and look forward to sharing our work with them over the coming months.
“As a mum of an 18 year old son with Down’s syndrome and a trustee of a local Down’s syndrome group, I know how important it is to keep our young people active and having fun. The new Be Healthy resources are absolutely fantastic! I’ve shared them with everyone I can think of who could benefit and want to thank Learn and Thrive for the fantastic work they do. And I can’t believe it’s all free! ”