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This October, we’ll dedicate a week to each of our 4 Big Dreams – sharing stories, highlighting achievements and showing how you can help us grow.
This Awareness month, join us in any way you can: Donate, become a member, follow us on social media. It all makes the lives better for people with Down’s syndrome and their families. They are the reason we exist.
Before coming to Down’s Syndrome Scotland, many of our members talk about feeling isolated, feeling alone and unsure of where to turn.
They don’t always feel like valued members of their community. Parents and carers often tell us they didn’t know what support was out there, or where to begin. Without the right guidance, families can feel overwhelmed – and people with Down’s syndrome can miss out on opportunities to connect, grow and thrive.
We know how powerful connection is. we’ve supported many people to access activities in their area, and to join our thriving community. Families and people with Down’s syndrome often make lifelong friendships through these groups.
We have so much going on for our community to make sure they feel connected and included; Friendzspace, Teenzspace, Friendz Meet Ups, our ABC programme, our 10 local branches run by volunteers.
You don’t have to be alone. Join our community
We want our community to be healthy.
We know often that health conditions can be ignored or put down to people have Downs Syndrome which can have repercussions in later life. Though life expectancy has increased, people with Down’s syndrome are STILL dying 28 years earlier than the general population.
The Annual Health Checks for people over the age of 16 with a learning disability can make a huge difference for people’s general health, quality of life and longevity, that’s why we really passionate about them.
We know that the roll out of these has not gone smoothly and in some areas people still struggle to access them, rest assured we are working behind the scenes to get as much information as we can to pass to you and to push the progress forward.
We host online sessions that cover adult health and the annual health checks and have developed resources for you, the person with Down’s Syndrome who is having the annual health check and for health professionals. We also train professionals so they can support people with Down’s syndrome to be the healthy they want to be.
These are available on our website and can be used to prepare, support and give confidence around the Annual health check.
We want our community to be employed.
With only a tiny percentage of our community in meaningful employment, we truly believe that people with Down’s syndrome could far exceed that number. Unfortunately, there is much work to do.
That is why we are co-developing an inclusive programme over the next year with people with Down’s syndrome, employers and our families. We know that people have been let down too often, so we are taking our time to get it right.
We want our community to be supported.
We know that your journey through education and beyond can be nerve wracking for yourself and your child.
It can be a very challenging as your child moves from one phase of life to another and finding the support and information you need can be difficult.
You may often feel confused, isolated, frustrated and anxious but remember this is a new path you have not travelled before and how can you know all the answers.
We have supported hundreds of families through this journey, whether its on the phone, online, in person, sign posting or sharing resources.