Are you ready to Rock Your Socks?

On Thursday 21st March 2024 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, and help 'End the stereotypes'.

Throughout March, we are appealing for schools, businesses and community groups to fundraise for us to help us continue to support children and young people with Down syndrome.

You can visit our webpage at: https://www.pcp.uk.net/together-21-rock-your-socks-campaign

On this page you can find our activity and fundraising packs containing fun ideas and activities to make your event really pop! By supporting 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 North East.

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!

Examples of activities to fundraise include:

- 21 question quiz competition

- 21 hour silence (Makaton or signs only)

- 21 minute workout for 21 days

- 21 acts of kindness in March

- 21 mile walk over March

- 21 day photo or picture drawing challenge

....or even an odd sock toll at your school or workplace!

What's it all for?

Here at Together 21, we know that early intervention is essential to target the specific learning profiles of children with Down syndrome. We work to empower parents and to support a child’s development by providing access to training, the sharing of information and practical advice.

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 £78,000 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.

How your fundraising helps us:

- £130 will cover staff costs to deliver a Life Skills session for up to 12 teenagers

- £220 means we can offer a family four weeks of Early Years support

- £450 will help us buy activity resources for a term

Together 21 currently 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 on Facebook here.

Watch videos on the Pioneering Care Partnership's YouTube channel about Together 21 here.

All funds raised will be passed to the charity irrespective of whether our target is reached, not reached or exceeded.