just happens to have Down’s Syndrome
Our voluntary community group has been running since August 2000. The group is organised by a committee which meets regularly - made up of the Chair (Geoff Tulley), Secretary (Andrea Arnold) and Treasurer (Ruth Noble), plus a regular committee of enthusiastic parents.
Our group was ten years old in 2010, and we have numerous achievements to show for it - these are some of our favourites!
Saturday Club
We hold a monthly get-together at Lupset Children's Centre, with a range of structured activities, songs and free play for the children, and the chance for the grown-ups to have a cuppa and a chat! We have families from all ages and backgrounds coming along, and plenty of dads attend regularly. It's a great opportunity to get advice and support from other families - someone has nearly always shared the same experience, no matter how unlikely - and we're all in it together!
Sports Club
We organise a monthly sports club with a professional coach, giving our older children the chance to try their hand at lots of different sports.
Trips and events
We have a summer trip every year, and we have a Christmas party for families, and a separate one for the parents to let their hair down!! We also organise other events, such as bowling trips, throughout the year.
Newsletter
We produce a monthly newsletter with information relating to our group's activities and also wider news and relevant information. We also celebrate our amazing children's achievements, of which there are many!
We have a facebook page specifically for members of our group to keep in touch - we arrange social events, chat, ask for advice, and post our news and pictures. It's a closed group to keep our information private to our group - if you want to join, search for the group on facebook and request membership. If you're new to facebook, have a chat at Saturday club and we'll tell you how to get on it!
Library
We have a library of books and other resources, including multisensory toys, that we bring to Saturday club each month. It's free to borrow the resources too.
Training and Information
We have information resource files available for the group covering a wide range of topics, and we hold information sessions covering topics such as benefits. There is a Makaton tutor, Portage worker and Speech and Language Therapist amongst our parents, and all our parents have a wealth of experience between them. We also send packs to local hospitals to give to families with a new baby who has Down's Syndrome.
Representation
We have parents who are members of various influential committees in Wakefield, including Parent Partnership. Our group is affiliated with the Down's Syndrome Association and has a lot of good local and national contacts.
Home visits for new parents
We have parents who are happy to come and see you at home if you have just had a diagnosis, to meet you and introduce you to the group, or just to come for a chat!
AGM
Our last AGM was held in September 2010 - the reports written by the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer are available to read.