News update
For features, reports, branch news and more, download our latest newsletter or join Down's Syndrome Scotland and have it sent by post.
April 2008
We have been updating the Information Technology and telephone systems here at national office. Although this has meant a period of disruption, we believe that this new equipment will have a major impact on the quality of our services.
Pandora Summerfield, Director, has already enjoyed the opportunity of meeting up with some of the branch committees and consulting with branch members. This process of consultation will continue in the months ahead and all members will be invited to attend a local meeting.
January 2008
We are pleased to welcome our new Director, Pandora Summerfield. Pandora is looking forward to meeting members and will be visiting the branch committees and taking part in branch activities during the coming months.
Our 15 training team members are ready for action in 2008. Our training programme includes details of specific training that we can offer, but don't forget that we can tailor sessions to meet your specific training needs. For more information contact Brenda Hepburn on 0131 313 4225.
New Parent Contacts play a vital role within Down's Syndrome Scotland, by meeting and supporting parents of new babies born with Down's syndrome either in the hospital in the very early days, or soon after at home. Training and support is given from national office. If you feel that this is something that you could do and would like to know more about this role, please contact Pat Hernandez on 0131 313 4225.
December 2007
We are very pleased to have retained our Investors in People award after our three-year review in November. The award is given to organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to good practice and continuous improvement and we are delighted to have maintained our status.
We are sad to announce the suspension of the Highland branch after the long serving committee members stood down. We are grateful to the committee for all their energy and enthusiasm over the years. Branch members will continue to be supported by national office.
National office will close from 1pm on Friday 21 December and reopen at 9.30am on Friday 4 January 2008. We are looking forward to welcoming our new Director, Pandora Summerfield to the organisation early in the New Year.
We wish all our members and website visitors a very happy festive season.
September 2007
Norma McNaughton died suddenly at the end of August after a short illness. Norma was an integral part of the team here at national office and will be sadly missed.
Karen Watchman has now left the organisation to take up her new post. We wish Karen every success in her new role and thank her for all her hard work over the past nine years. In Karen's absence, Lou Marsden is Acting Director.
Rhona Matthews is our new Language Development Worker. Rhona has a great deal of experience as a Speech and Language Therapist and will be a great asset to the team and this exciting new post.
Our new resource 'Living with Dementia' has now been published. Giving information about how to help people with dementia to make better sense of their environment. You can download 'Living with Dementia' from the publications section.
August 2007
Down's Syndrome Scotland AGM and Conference takes place on Saturday 29th September 2007 at the Business Learning and Conference Centre, Lauder College, Dunfermline. Booking forms will be posted to members soon or you can can download the programme and booking form here.
Down's Syndrome Scotland has recently been given the findings of the Fatal Accident Enquiry into the death of Roddy Donnet of Dundee. A statement in response to the findings can be read here.
Director of Down's Syndrome Scotland, Karen Watchman will be leaving at the end of August after ten years with the organisation. Karen will take up a new post as Head of the International Study Centre at the University of Stirling.
July 2007
Karen Watchman presented her initial Phd research findings at a three-day conference held at the University of Edinburgh.
Brenda and the Training Team provided information to staff working in the retail industry. A full day spent at John Lewis in Glasgow highlighted the way that people with Down's syndrome expect to be treated when they are shopping - as customers, with the same courtesy and respect given to anyone else.
June 2007
The 5 Nations Conference
The 5 Nations Conference took place in Limerick, Ireland from 15-17 June. The conference is an annual event which brings together young people with Down's syndrome from all over the UK and Ireland. Three young people attended the conference with support from two members of staff.
Friday was a day of travel followed by a very busy Saturday with each nation running a workshop. Our workshop was a fun version of the mythbuster presentation which was adapted to encourage audience participation. It was certainly the most noisy workshop!
Saturday evening was a very sociable event. Irish music and dancing was followed by a disco giving all the young people chance to meet new friends and let their hair down. Travelling home on Sunday were three very tired young people who had really enjoyed this experience.
Down's Syndrome Awareness Week
Down's Syndrome Scotland have been the focus of media attention recently during Down's Syndrome Awareness Week. The focus of attention was on the employment of sessional staff as Trainers to support the full time Training Officer Brenda Hepburn. One of the Trainers, Steven McLean, took part in an interview on Radio Forth whilst other presentations were given to staff at Asda, John Lewis and the National Museum of Scotland. These sessions focused on 'mythbusting' to challenge ideas that people may have about Down's syndrome.
Media interest also centred around families personal experiences of Down's syndrome with the Edinburgh Evening News highlighting mother/daughter relationships. You can read the article on the Evening News website.