World Down Syndrome Day 2025

On Friday 21 March 2025 the world will be coming together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day! Jump in with both feet and join millions of people who will be standing tall and showing support by wearing outrageous, colourful and non-matching socks, spreading awareness and fun throughout the land. This is to show that people with Down syndrome are different, but the same None of us like feeling left out, and people with Down syndrome are no exception, they want to be included too. So reach out and get to know the person, not the condition.

Together 21 is family-centred project that supports children and young people with Down syndrome to acquire essential skills; empowering them to progress. This unique project focuses on the specific learning needs of children with Down syndrome and provides a safe space for children and families to build friendships within peer groups, develop practical skills, boost confidence and celebrate successes whilst encouraging every child to realise their individual potential.

We deliver fun-packed weekly sessions to three groups; 0to 4years, 5 to 11years and 12 to 18years. This separation helps address social/developmental needs most relevant to the child/young persons next steps e.g. preparing a child with Down syndrome for nursery/primary school is very different from the challenges faced by a child entering/nearing the end of secondary school. Groups are then split according to ability rather than age, to focus on:

- Speech/Language/Communication (including Makaton)

- Literacy/Numeracy.

- Sensory Play.

- Fine/Gross Motor-Skills.

- Social Skills/Emotional Wellbeing.

- School Preparation.

Delivering Together 21 costs approx. £83,000 per year. This pays for staffing, sessional group leaders, volunteer expenses, client activity resources and operational costs. These costs are met through a contribution from parents, grant funding/fundraising activities and support from Pioneering Care Partnership Board.

Our amazing volunteers provide much needed support that enables this service to be delivered in a cost effective way. Volunteers provide over 400 hours of support annually.

How can you help?

By becoming a fundraiser or donating, you become a vital part of the T21 story and enable us to continue to serve our families and the community both now and in the future. Every penny helps towards our goal to make sure our T21 Tiddlypeeps get the best start possible and equip them with the skills needed to meet the future with confidence.

£1,500 will sponsor a child for a full year of support at Together 21.

This provides:

184 hours of facilitated learning sessions for children aged 0-4 years;

92 hours of facilitated learning sessions for children aged 5-11;

92 hours of facilitated learning sessions for children aged 12-18;

3,680 respite hours for carers

We welcome any help big or small and any monies received are put towards provision and other related costs such as, resources and specialists speech and language therapist sessions.

We are also seeking to identify support from organisations who wish to join with us, to help change the lives and perceptions of Down syndrome by donating, fundraising on our behalf or committing to become a charity partner.

You can contact us via the our webpage ; TOGETHER 21@PCP

Or on Facebook @ TOGETHER 21PCP

Thank you for listening and Welcome to the T21 Family.

Hear from some families, why T21 makes the difference!

William and Mum's Story

Luna and Mum's Story