Down's Syndrome Association

Voting for the My Perspective People's Choice Award is now open!

Vote for your favourite picture from the My Perspective, adult & child category shortlist.

Visit our website to vote 👉 https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/our-voice/my-perspective/

Closes Friday 3 October, 5pm.

We had 42 winners throughout the month of July in our DSALottery - wow! 🤩

Thank you to all who have been supporting the DSA!

If you haven't signed up yet and would like to, please follow this link: https://downs-syndrome.unitypayments.co.uk

*England and Wales only, excludes Northern Ireland.

Young girl who has Down's syndrome pictured in school library.

We know it's still the school holidays but it's never too early to start getting prepared! 📖

Here's our 'Back To School Checklist' for all parents and carers: https://loom.ly/frmpmcQ

We hope you all find this handy to refer back to. 💚

A webinar to jot down in the diaries:

'An introduction to the dual diagnosis of Down’s syndrome and autism.'

Thursday 18 September 2025 | 10.30am – 12 noon | FREE

The first webinar is aimed at those who are wondering whether to pursue a diagnosis of autism.

Register here: https://loom.ly/bZbI1_0

Join the DSA Weekly Lottery today! 💚

Imagine being in with a chance to win £25,000 every week and knowing that just by taking part, you’re helping improve the lives of people who have Down’s syndrome.

Please follow this link to sign up: https://unity.charitypayments.co.uk/play?charity=2997

Make sure to put this date down in your diary to keep it free!

'Down’s syndrome with complex needs parent/ family carer regional support meeting.'

In-person event – Central Manchester. Monday 15 September 2025 | 10am – 3pm | FREE.

Find out more and sign up here: https://loom.ly/NSWSXq4

⭐📷⭐We are so excited to share our My Perspective 2025 shortlist! ⭐📷⭐

Congratulations to all our finalists!

Shortlisting was an almost impossible task with so many fabulous entries.

Thank you to everyone who got involved, it was amazing to see all your photos. 💚

Our fantastic, free, online DSEngage sessions are continuing through the summer holidays! 🤸

Children and adults of all ages and abilities are very welcome.

All our sessions are on next week. Check out them all and register to join by clicking the link: https://loom.ly/inKF0Gs

In March, we delivered several sessions at the S Yorkshire ICB Down Syndrome Act Stakeholder Event.
Each of the sessions held during the day was captured by @niftyfoxcreative.bsky.social. We 💚 this great graphic generated during the WorkFit team's presentation.

Parents urged to prioritise vaccine catch-ups as measles cases remain high The latest measles data from the UK Health Security Agency shows there have been 145 cases since the last report on July 3.

If you want to know more about the MMR vaccination, go to nhs.uk for the latest advice: bit.ly/4fg3R7b
You'll also guidance on immunisation more widely on our website here: bit.ly/3H2z9SC

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

The recording of the webinar we hosted recently with Dr Brian Chicoine, 'Decline in Skills and Regression in Adolescents and Adults with Down Syndrome', is now available on our website. Just register here - https://loom.ly/nZqQSDI - and you'll be sent all the details.

Images of people with Down's syndrome pictured with friends - young boys and girls are pictured.

International Day of Friendship - 30 July! 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

In honour of celebrating this, we thought we'd share our resource on 'forming bonds and friendships within the classroom' which is particularly apparent with the new school year approaching!

You can give it a read here: https://loom.ly/cUhjfUo

2 young women and one young man, all who have Down's syndrome, are pictured laying down with a picnic and with laptop.

Have you read our 'Transition To Adulthood' resource yet?

'The transition to ‘adulthood’ or adult services can be a tricky terrain to navigate. For children and young people there can be many transitions such as: education, health and social care needs.

Click here: https://loom.ly/OhCFyMU

An image of lots of newspapers piled on top of each other.

New job vacancy at the DSA!

Media and Communications Officer: 12 month fixed term contract.

Salary: £12,000 p.a.

Hours: 2 days per week (14 hours)

Location: Home based (with occasional travel)

Click on the link for further details and to see the full job description: https://loom.ly/3P6DTGo

Members of Our Voice wearing their 'Our Voice T-shirts.'

Our Voice is a team of people who have Down’s syndrome. They help to create important change.

They work with the DSA on areas such as making new resources, checking information, and helping to produce training. 💚

We have lots of #OurVoice YouTube videos you can watch: https://loom.ly/7tITWJs

A family of three women are pictured- they are all smiling.

Research Support:

We facilitate research which we hope may benefit the lives of people who have Down’s syndrome and their families.

You can see the list of research topics here: https://loom.ly/NhT7BMo

A man with Down's syndrome is pictured smiling whilst working in a kitchen.

Just a reminder to sign up to this webinar if you haven't already!

DSA Futures – 'Educational Pathways and Employment.'
Tuesday 5 August 2025 | 12 noon – 1pm | FREE

We will explore further education and careers, with discussion of options for training.

Please sign up here: https://loom.ly/_qC4pkU

Patrick Sheehan, a consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon, gives a presentation about the top five ENT issues for children who have Down’s syndrome that he encounters in his clinic.

This is followed by a Q&A session from parents on the webinar.

See here: https://loom.ly/Civn9bc

Jade and Georgina from the DSA had a great time at the Discover Adventure HQ last week! 🥾

Thanks for hosting a fabulous day of talks, training and food!

We learnt lots of valuable skills about fundraising and marketing and enjoyed meeting with other charities! Thank you to all involved.💚

The DSA are members of the Disabled Childrens Partnership and support their latest campaign.

It’s time to fix the SEND system. A whole generation of disabled children and those with additional needs are being let down by a broken education system.

Please read more here: https://loom.ly/X6LVXF4

The Down’s Syndrome Association Responds to the Tragic Deaths of Loraine and Alphonse - Downs Syndrome Association The DSA's statement on the tragic deaths 18-year-old Loraine Choulla, who had Down’s syndrome, and her mother Alphonsine Djiako Leuga.

The Down’s Syndrome Association is deeply saddened to hear about the tragic deaths of both 18-year-old Loraine Choulla, who had Down’s syndrome, and her mother Alphonsine Djiako Leuga earlier this year.

Read our full statement on our website here: bit.ly/4kUkmad

Doctor pictured walking through hospital with man who has Down's syndrome.

We campaign for better healthcare for people who have Down’s syndrome.🧑‍⚕️

It has long been recognised that people who have a learning disability, including those who have Down’s syndrome, experience poorer health outcomes than are seen in the general population.

Read more:https://loom.ly/UYfE_fY

Man who has Down's syndrome is pictured smiling whilst working in a kitchen.

DSA Futures – Educational Pathways and Employment Online Meeting

Tuesday 5 August 2025 | 12 noon – 1pm | FREE

To sign up, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page: https://loom.ly/_qC4pkU

WELL-BEING WEDNESDAY for parents and family carers of people who have Down’s syndrome:

Wednesday 23 July 2025 | Time: 10.30-11am | Free

Each week Jane will introduce and guide a meditation/relaxation exercise or some gentle movement.🧘

To sign up, please click here: https://loom.ly/j4L0g-0

What do you think about hearing aids? 👂

A student from the University of Manchester would like to talk to people who have a learning disability and a hearing loss to ask them questions about hearing aids.

If this is something you would like to get involved, click here: https://loom.ly/-xgYc_Q

The Government’s promise of free school breakfasts for all primary pupils is a vital step forward but action is needed to make it go further.

Older pupils in special schools and disadvantaged secondary schools can't be left behind.

@magicbreakfastuk.bsky.social

A collage of photos of people who have Down's syndrome with their loved ones. These are images from some of the stories we have shared on our website.

July is Disability Pride Month! 💚

In honour of this, do check out the 'Our Stories' section of our website.

You'll find LOTS of stories from people who have Down's syndrome.

Click here to browse our list of stories: https://loom.ly/LhTV5HM

Image of a girl who has Down's syndrome sat in bed, ready to sleep. Our DSA logo is used with colours of green and white on the poster. The Ascot University logo is also used.

'Caregiver experiences of sleep measures for adolescents with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.'

The REST-ID study is developing a new self-report sleep questionnaire for adolescents with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

Read more here/get involved: https://loom.ly/2SU83AA

Image of a young baby and a man in gym clothes holding up boxing gloves. They both have Down's syndrome. Rex Brinkworth is also pictured.

DSA history!

Rex Brinkworth was a teacher and psychologist, specialising in improving outcomes for children who have Down’s syndrome.

Today we offer advice, information, support and resources about any aspect of living with Down’s syndrome.

Raed more here: https://loom.ly/lCTMARo

Image of a woman who has Down's syndrome and a doctor both smiling.

A research team from the University of Leeds would like to hear from UK-based healthcare workers to help them explore how they experience communication in their daily work. 🧑‍⚕️

If this applies to you and you'd like to get involved, please click here: https://loom.ly/JNDHbuM