SMDSSG News

Monthly update from our CEO, Esther

March is a big month for the Down Syndrome community, and we are looking forward to our annual Singing Hands celebration concert with you all!

Thank you to those that are undertaking some fundraising activities for our WDSD 2024 campaign – these can run throughout the year so plenty of time if you want to plan something. We are seeking funds for our 2024/25 services and activities – every penny really does help us keep going and growing for our members.

You may have seen in the local news that tragically, a little boy with Down Syndrome called Jeffrey recently passed away. The family have been in touch and whilst we didn’t get to meet Jeffrey, we are supporting them as a community, feeling their loss collectively. Dad Michael has sent us some lovely pictures and words, please do take the time to read them and remember Jeffrey.

After a rigorous tender process, we have selected our creative partner to work with on the re-brand. We will introduce them to you all once the final proposals and contracts have been signed. Exciting times ahead.

We are incredibly excited to be working with This is NQ music studio. Some of you may know the Brit award winning rapper Aitch. He has a sister with Down Syndrome, and they are a local family. After meeting with the team, we are now working with NQ Legacy for exclusive access for our members aged over 15 to get in the studio and make some music! Excitement levels are high for this event – do sign up so you don’t miss out.

Lastly, we welcomed Lucy into the WorkFit role this week – do read Lucy’s bio and see her picture to put a face to the name.

A tribute to Jeffrey

A tribute from Jeffrey's Dad, Michael.

It’s hard to forget his beaming smile, the cheeky twinkle in his eye and his unstoppable energy, whether it was racing around the playground, playing with water, and splashing it everywhere, especially when having a bath or playing with his sister Victoria. Jeffrey liked playing with shoes and was always quick to the door to dash out. Jeffrey will always be remembered in our household for breaking TVs, we can count on both hands how many he broke, it was actually 7 TVs, which was quite expensive, nevertheless we continued buying new TVs. Jeffrey loved Paw patrol - his favourite characters where ‘Chase’ and ‘Rubble’ and he would sing along to the theme song in own little way.

Other News

The first ever Barbie Doll with Down's Syndrome

Model Ellie Goldstein who has featured on the cover of Vogue and Glamour talks about the importance of people with Down Syndrome being represented “people need to see more people like me out there in the world.”

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