The Charlton Upbeats is a bespoke programme delivered by the Charlton Athletic Community Trust for young people with Down's Syndrome.

More than 100 kids have registered in the first year and this Down's Syndrome Sports Club now has between 25-30 regular attendees aged between 5 to 24. Sessions are organised every Saturday and are delivered at Charlton's Sparrows Lane training ground in New Eltham.

During 2009, the Trust initially secured funding for the first year of delivery of the project from ITV's Peoples Millions Project. With this help, Charlton Upbeats is now an important multi-sport programme within the community, delivering football, tag rugby, street dance, cricket and tri-golf while involving the young people in local environmental programmes, so they can get some idea of how to improve the local area.

Another great outcome during this first year of delivery has been the training of our coaches on a sign language course which has enabled them to communicate much more effectively with the young Upbeats during their sessions and activities.

This initial funding ends in December and now the Trust is seeking to secure funding for a further two to three years to ensure that this important programme can continue. 

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