Are you ready to Rock Your Socks?

On Tuesday 21st March 2023 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.

Throughout March, we are appealing for schools, businesses and community groups to join with us and host your own 'ToGather'  or fundraising events.

You can visit our webpage at:

https://www.pcp.uk.net/together-21-rockyour-socks-campaign

By gathering 'to-gather' for Together 21, you'll support us to raise awareness and fundraise for us to deliver support to children and young people with Down syndrome and their families in the Northeast.

Why in March you ask? Well it's the month of
World Down Syndrome Day! The date was chosen
for being the 21st day of the 3rd month and
signifies the uniqueness of the triplication
(trisomy) of the 21st chromosome the gene
responsible for Down Syndrome, hence 21/03
every year!

Your 'to-gather' can be big or small. Be creative,hit that fitness goal, learn a new skill or master one -it’s up to you! 

Create a T21 Challenge Event with your colleagues...

Examples of  activities to fundraise include: 

• 21question quiz competition 
• 21 hour silence (Makaton or signs only)
• 21 minute workout for 21 days 
• 21acts of kindness in March 
• 21 mile walk over March 
• 21 day photo or picture drawing challenge.... 

All children have the right to develop to their full potential. 

Our service includes regular classes and other educational activities specifically designed for children with Down syndrome. These classes are planned and guided by renowned specialists and delivered to both the child and parent, allowing learning to be extended into family home life.

This 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; 0-4yrs, 5-11yrs and 12-18yrs. This separation helps address social/developmental needs most relevant to the child/young person’s 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

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.

Delivering Together 21 costs £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. We are therefore seeking additional funding to provide this vital support service to our Together 21 families.

We are seeking to identify support from organisations who are able to commit to our fundraising campaign .

How your monies help us.

A donation of £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

Other donations amounts are welcome and would be put towards these costs and other related costs such as, resources and specialists speech and language therapist sessions.

Thank you, your support truly makes a difference.

You can follow Together 21 at; Together 21 | Facebook

Watch Video's on Pioneering Care Partnership's You Tube Channel at ; Together 21 - YouTube