Down's Syndrome Association
We are a national organisation, committed to improving quality of life for people who have Down’s syndrome, promoting their right to be included on a full and equal basis with others.
- Did you know that your child should be having have eye examinations every year? Our resource written by Professor Maggie Woodhouse contains evidence-based recommendations for your child’s eye care and the reasons why this is important. Please find our resource here: loom.ly/GX_XqQc
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust are running a short, anonymous survey for children aged 0-18 with a congenital or acquired heart condition and their parents, carers, and family members. Link for survey: loom.ly/C8gBxes
- Our resource about 'Eye Conditions in Children' written by Professor Maggie Woodhouse has recently been updated. As well as including common eye conditions it also covers eye tests and some frequently asked questions from parents. 👁️ You can view it here: loom.ly/fehvQBA
- DSEngage Live | Dance Class 🎶 Join people who have Down’s syndrome from all over the country to Wake up and dance via Zoom! Next Session: Thursday 5 February 2026 (tomorrow.) Time: 9.30 – 10.15am. The sessions will be led by a Dance Leader from DanceSyndrome. Book here: loom.ly/fEn2yVs
- The DSA are members of the Disabled Children's Partnership (DCP) and we would welcome and encourage young people who have Down's syndrome to engage in their survey. Link to the survey here: bit.ly/YPSurvey26 Easy Read version here: bit.ly/YPSurvey26ER
- The month of February is 'National Children's Dental Health Month'. This awareness month focuses on promoting good oral hygiene habits for children. 🦷 We have a resource that relates to this: 'Oral health care for children.' Click here for the full resource: loom.ly/dVJLPFY
- Tell it Right® Webinar for Maternity Services and Universities | On-demand | Free This webinar is for all student and health professionals working in fetal medicine, maternity and neonatal services including midwives, neonatal nurses, sonographers and health visitors: loom.ly/Ae2NZQw
- Have you got your 'Lots of Socks' yet?! 🧦 Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 2026 (21 March) the Lots Of Socks way! Please support the DSA and WDSD by getting your pair here: downs-syndrome.org.uk/product/lots-of-soc… #WorldDownSyndromeDay
- We welcome the updated publication of the 8th LeDeR report for 2023. Although the report provides important insights, the pace of change remains far too slow. Response in full here: loom.ly/qgg6G1I
- A reminder that anyone aged 14 and over can request an annual health check at their GP practice. This should then result in any health needs being met and a plan for moving forward to ensure optimum health throughout the year. Find out more here: loom.ly/YQ8ENds
- We are pleased to be involved with this year’s Growing Older with a Learning Disability annual conference. The conference will be taking place entirely online on 25 February 2026. Julian Hallett, Services Development Manager will be running a workshop session. Book here: loom.ly/apZImL8
- Call for Families: Help Us Shape the Conversation on Education Reform. We are looking for several families (who meet a specific criteria) to be on standby for a range of potential opportunities. To find out more/find out how to get involved, please click here: loom.ly/vIzeq6Q
- DSEngage Live | Get Moving (Formerly Pilates Plus) 🤸 Get energized ready for the weekend with a live online session of fun moves and exercise with Marie and friends. Next Session: 30 January 2026. Time: 10-10.45am. Sign up here: loom.ly/-T0bZlY
- Parents of Children with Heart Disease: Share your voice and help shape the future of children’s heart care. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust are running a short anonymous survey for children (aged 0-18 with a congenital or acquired heart condition.) Link for survey here: loom.ly/C8gBxes
- The DSA are members of the Inclusive Parliament Coalition. 🚨 Inclusive Parliament Coalition welcomes the House of Commons Modernisation Committee report. ✅ We are pleased with some recommendations. ❌ More needs to be done to make UK Parliament accessible to signers: loom.ly/dO6OHIU
- Online Support Group for Families of People who have Down’s syndrome Aged 40+: Thursday 5 February 2026 | 10.30 – 11.30am | FREE This new support group is for parents and siblings who support a person age 40 and over. Please see here to sign up and to find out more: loom.ly/7_pLMtc
- DSEngage LIVE | Evening Disco 🪩 Why not join us tomorrow with lots of friends, as a fun way to have a great time together? Switch on your disco lights and let's get dancing! 💃🕺 Next Session: (Tomorrow) Tuesday 20 January 2026. Time: 7.00 – 8.00pm. Book your spot here: loom.ly/wFaWeos
- The winter months can be especially challenging around maintaining mental well-being. Our guide for supporters and parents is to help you to think about ways to promote positive emotional well-being for people who have Down’s syndrome. Read it here: loom.ly/C_Emm74
- DSEngage Live | Dance Class 🕺💃 Join people who have Down’s syndrome from all over the country to Wake up and dance with DanceSyndrome via Zoom! Next Session: Thursday 22 January 2026. Time: 9.30 – 10.15am. Please sign up here: loom.ly/fEn2yVs
- Tim is a man who has Down's syndrome, his talent is figure skating. We featured his story a few years ago, and he is still skating at 40 years old. ❄️ Tim is a dual British-Canadian citizen, living 7 months of the year in Canada and 5 in the UK. We hope you all enjoy watching Tim's performance.⛸️
- DSEngage Live: Weekly Workout Why not get your week off to a great start with a fun and enjoyable live workout? 💪 Next Session: Monday 19 January 2026. Time: 4 – 4.45pm. Sign up here: downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/services-p…
- The Down Syndrome Act draft statutory guidance consultation has been extended to the end of March 2026. The consultation needs to hear from people who have Down’s syndrome and their families. The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 30 March 2026. For more information: loom.ly/XurzOHM
- Eyecare for Adults and Getting Older - A webinar with Professor Maggie Woodhouse Wednesday 11 March 2026 | 12noon – 1.15pm | FREE Sign up here: downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/services-p…
- DSEngage LIVE | 4pm Disco 🪩 Join people who have Down’s syndrome from all over the country for our 4pm Disco. Next Session: 13 January 2026. Time: 4 – 5pm. Please see the sign-up form here: loom.ly/HOSfvY8 Once filled out, you will be sent the Zoom details.
- The Dept for Health and Social Care has now published the British Sign Language (BSL) versions of the consultation on the draft guidance: loom.ly/W4FArns under the Down Syndrome Act 2022. DHSC has published a BSL version of the call for evidence summary findings: loom.ly/1VRVl0M
- The Easy Read version of the SEND National Conversation is now available online: loom.ly/AA184B0. For more information about the SEND Conversation and how to respond please visit: loom.ly/8N-0RI0. The DfE wants to hear want to hear from everyone - make sure your views are heard.
- As our campaign for January is on the topic of health and well-being, we thought we'd bring your attention to our 'parent and carer well-being document.' When we care for another person, it is vital that we still recognise our own needs. 💚 Please click here to view it: loom.ly/N1v3DQk
- We're sorry that this week's (9 January) 'Get Moving' session has been cancelled. Get Moving is the new name for Pilates Plus. 🤸 Please join us for the next Get Moving session on Friday 16 January instead. You can sign up here: loom.ly/-T0bZlY
- Parents and carers of children and young people who have Down’s syndrome - your voices matter. The Department for Education (DfE) says this national conversation on SEND will influence the next Schools White Paper. Click here: consult.education.gov.uk/send-reform-nationa…
- Training webinar: Early Reading Strategies to support Speech & Language Development Thursday 1.30 – 2.30pm 15 January 2026 | 29 January 2026 | 12 February 2026 This group is for parents of children aged approximately three to four and half years. Please sign up here: loom.ly/d-ES6Ws
- Have questions about the Down Syndrome Act consultation? Drop in and talk with us. Drop in, be heard, and get the support you need: •20 January 2026 11am-12noon •21 January 2026 7pm-8pm Book here: downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/campaignin…
- As many as 80 percent of people who have Down’s syndrome continue to self-talk into adulthood. Please read our new resource to find out why this serves a useful function for many people: downs-syndrome.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/…
- Supporting the well-being of adolescents and adults who have Down’s syndrome: Thursday 15 January 2026 | 10.30 to 11.45am | FREE In this webinar we will talk about what we mean by well-being. We also talk about the importance of self esteem. Book onto the webinar here: loom.ly/d5IbUjI
- Our campaign for the New Year is highlighting the importance of supporting health and wellbeing. You can find information about different aspects of physical and mental health on our website: loom.ly/wE_zF1Y
- DSEngage LIVE: Happy New Year Disco. 🥳 Just a reminder to join us this week on 1 January 2026 at 5-6pm for a New Year Disco session! 💃🕺 Book this session by clicking this link if you'd like to join us: loom.ly/s5fX7qE
- We are now closed for the Christmas period.🎄 Everyone at the DSA would love to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎅 Thank you for all of your continued support. 💚
- DSEngage LIVE: Happy New Year Disco. 🪩 Thursday 1 January 2026. 5 – 6pm. There will be fantastic music, disco lights and the chance to show off your grooviest dance moves and most glittery outfits. Book this session here: loom.ly/8VGW-Fo
- Bild’s #GrowingOlderWithLearningDisabilities conference will be taking place online on 25 Feb 2026! ‘Connected Care: Good health and growing older across health and social care.' You can find out more about the conference and book your tickets here: loom.ly/apZImL8
- Early years and Primary Education 📚 Tuesday 13 January 2026 | 10 – 11.30 am | FREE It will include recommendations for social inclusion and curriculum access, speech, language and communication and social development. Make sure to sign up here: loom.ly/E-kbmw4
- Parents and carers of children and young people who have Down’s syndrome - your voices matter. The Department for Education (DfE) says this national conversation on SEND will influence the next Schools White Paper. Add your lived experience here: loom.ly/kUWktmE
- The Down's Syndrome Association are going to be engaging with Our Voice members about the Down Syndrome Act draft statutory guidance consultation. For more information about the consultation process please visit: downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/campaignin…
- 'Down’s Syndrome and Reassessment: What the Timms Review Means in Practice' The Timms Review is the UK Government’s major, full-scale review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Head to our website to read our full article on this subject: loom.ly/uJmgyro
- 'Eyecare for adults and getting older' - A webinar with Professor Maggie Woodhouse. Make sure to get this date in your diaries and book on soon to avoid disappointment! Wednesday 11 March 2026 at 12 Noon to 1.15pm. FREE. To attend, please sign up here: loom.ly/LQJ-2YU
- The Department of Health and Social Care wants to hear your views about the Down Syndrome Act 2022 draft statutory guidance. See more here: loom.ly/XurzOHM. It is important to reply directly to the consultation using the form provided, so that your views are heard by the team.
- Joe and Catherine, the DSA’s Inclusion Advisors, put together a presentation for two of our recent events for hospital staff across England. You can watch it here: loom.ly/U6CIluA ‘We enjoyed openly talking about our experiences and our place in the wider scheme of health and the DSA’.
- 'Down’s Syndrome Association response to government investment in Resourced Provisions and specialist units' : The DSA has always been clear: every child and young person who has Down’s syndrome who wants a mainstream education should be able to access one. Read more here: loom.ly/yZ1de7k
- Christmas Disco 🪩🎄 Monday 15 December 2025 | 6 – 7pm | FREE Our regular Evening Disco DJ, Michael, will be playing all your most loved Christmas music at this EXTRA Christmas Disco. Wear your favourite Christmas party outfits, jumpers and hats! 🎅 Book online here: loom.ly/ww1YKTM
- Our prize draw for the chance to win a signed copy of Ellie Goldstein’s book 'Ellie' is closing on the 12 December at 12pm! 💚 The main prize will now be the book AND a Barbie doll with Down's syndrome! As well as four Barbie's with Down's syndrome to give away. Enter here: loom.ly/U3J0Ceo
- Yesterday, staff from the DSA attended The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group UK and Ireland Winter Meeting at the Royal Society of Medicine, London. All of our staff members gave brilliant presentations - well done to all involved! @dsmig.bsky.social
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- Great work Catherine and Joe!
