We're sorry that this week's (9 January) 'Get Moving' session has been cancelled. Get Moving is the new name for Pilates Plus. 🤸 Please join us for the next Get Moving session on Friday 16 January instead. You can sign up here: https://loom.ly/-T0bZlY

Parents and carers of children and young people who have Down’s syndrome - your voices matter. The Department for Education (DfE) says this national conversation on SEND will influence the next Schools White Paper. Click here: https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-reform-national-conversation

Training webinar: Early Reading Strategies to support Speech & Language Development Thursday 1.30 – 2.30pm 15 January 2026 | 29 January 2026 | 12 February 2026 This group is for parents of children aged approximately three to four and half years. Please sign up here: https://loom.ly/d-ES6Ws

Have questions about the Down Syndrome Act consultation? Drop in and talk with us. Drop in, be heard, and get the support you need: •20 January 2026 11am-12noon •21 January 2026 7pm-8pm Book here: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/campaigning/the-down-syndrome-act/#DropIn

As many as 80 percent of people who have Down’s syndrome continue to self-talk into adulthood. Please read our new resource to find out why this serves a useful function for many people: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Self-talk-resource_FINAL_27.11.25.pdf

Supporting the well-being of adolescents and adults who have Down’s syndrome: Thursday 15 January 2026 | 10.30 to 11.45am | FREE In this webinar we will talk about what we mean by well-being. We also talk about the importance of self esteem. Book onto the webinar here: https://loom.ly/d5IbUjI

Our campaign for the New Year is highlighting the importance of supporting health and wellbeing. You can find information about different aspects of physical and mental health on our website: https://loom.ly/wE_zF1Y

DSEngage LIVE: Happy New Year Disco. 🥳 Just a reminder to join us this week on 1 January 2026 at 5-6pm for a New Year Disco session! 💃🕺 Book this session by clicking this link if you'd like to join us: https://loom.ly/s5fX7qE

We are now closed for the Christmas period.🎄 Everyone at the DSA would love to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎅 Thank you for all of your continued support. 💚

DSEngage LIVE: Happy New Year Disco. 🪩 Thursday 1 January 2026. 5 – 6pm. There will be fantastic music, disco lights and the chance to show off your grooviest dance moves and most glittery outfits. Book this session here: https://loom.ly/8VGW-Fo

Bild’s #GrowingOlderWithLearningDisabilities conference will be taking place online on 25 Feb 2026! ‘Connected Care: Good health and growing older across health and social care.' You can find out more about the conference and book your tickets here: https://loom.ly/apZImL8

Early years and Primary Education 📚 Tuesday 13 January 2026 | 10 – 11.30 am | FREE It will include recommendations for social inclusion and curriculum access, speech, language and communication and social development. Make sure to sign up here: https://loom.ly/E-kbmw4

Parents and carers of children and young people who have Down’s syndrome - your voices matter. The Department for Education (DfE) says this national conversation on SEND will influence the next Schools White Paper. Add your lived experience here: https://loom.ly/kUWktmE

The Down's Syndrome Association are going to be engaging with Our Voice members about the Down Syndrome Act draft statutory guidance consultation. For more information about the consultation process please visit: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/campaigning/the-down-syndrome-act/

'Down’s Syndrome and Reassessment: What the Timms Review Means in Practice' The Timms Review is the UK Government’s major, full-scale review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Head to our website to read our full article on this subject: https://loom.ly/uJmgyro

'Eyecare for adults and getting older' - A webinar with Professor Maggie Woodhouse. Make sure to get this date in your diaries and book on soon to avoid disappointment! Wednesday 11 March 2026 at 12 Noon to 1.15pm. FREE. To attend, please sign up here: https://loom.ly/LQJ-2YU

The Department of Health and Social Care wants to hear your views about the Down Syndrome Act 2022 draft statutory guidance. See more here: https://loom.ly/XurzOHM. It is important to reply directly to the consultation using the form provided, so that your views are heard by the team.

Joe and Catherine, the DSA’s Inclusion Advisors, put together a presentation for two of our recent events for hospital staff across England. You can watch it here: https://loom.ly/U6CIluA ‘We enjoyed openly talking about our experiences and our place in the wider scheme of health and the DSA’.

'Down’s Syndrome Association response to government investment in Resourced Provisions and specialist units' : The DSA has always been clear: every child and young person who has Down’s syndrome who wants a mainstream education should be able to access one. Read more here: https://loom.ly/yZ1de7k

Christmas Disco 🪩🎄 Monday 15 December 2025 | 6 – 7pm | FREE Our regular Evening Disco DJ, Michael, will be playing all your most loved Christmas music at this EXTRA Christmas Disco. Wear your favourite Christmas party outfits, jumpers and hats! 🎅 Book online here: https://loom.ly/ww1YKTM

Our prize draw for the chance to win a signed copy of Ellie Goldstein’s book 'Ellie' is closing on the 12 December at 12pm! 💚 The main prize will now be the book AND a Barbie doll with Down's syndrome! As well as four Barbie's with Down's syndrome to give away. Enter here: https://loom.ly/U3J0Ceo

Yesterday, staff from the DSA attended The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group UK and Ireland Winter Meeting at the Royal Society of Medicine, London. All of our staff members gave brilliant presentations - well done to all involved! @dsmig.bsky.social

I can't possibly summarise the whole talk, but DSA have LOADS of excellent resources, webinars www.downs-syndrome.org.uk #dsmig

Great work Catherine and Joe!

Schools Minister Georgia Gould is hosting a series of live online discussions about SEND reform with a panel of experts. There are five online events taking place. We would encourage families to join these sessions. See https://loom.ly/j1Gcqi0 for information and to book your free place.

We have a 'top tips' resource for the Christmas period, created with the input of parents to children who have Down's syndrome. 🎁 Make sure to check it out here: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/C-N-Top-Tips-Christmas.pdf

Our Pilates Plus session this week has been moved from Friday 5 December to Wednesday 3 December 2025 at 6pm to 6:45pm. 🧘 We hope to see you there! Please remember the date change this week. Sign up here: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/services-projects/dsengage/dsengage-live-pilates/

Parent/guardian/carer survey: Eye care for your child who has Down's syndrome. 👁️ Just a reminder to please get involved with this survey if you are able to. Follow the link to get involved: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/cardiff/parent-survey

Down Syndrome Act Draft Guidance: Consultation Webinar Tuesday 2 December 2025 | 7 – 8.30pm | FREE Join us next week for a free, informative webinar hosted by the DSA - open to all members and the wider public. Sign up here to register: https://loom.ly/uFPTIrg

The Casey Commission is an independent commission chaired by Baroness Casey of Blackstock DBE CB. The DSA encourages members and supporters who have experience of the adult social care system to also engage. To read more, please head to our blog on this on our website: https://loom.ly/0HtBJyU

We have some fun Christmas activities coming up! Make sure to check them out. 🎅 Both activities are on Sunday 7 December: DSEngage Singing Hands Christmas Sing-Along 2025: 10:30 am to 11:30 am. DSEngage Singing Hands Christmas Pop Party 2025: 2 pm to 3 pm. Book here: https://loom.ly/inKF0Gs

The DSA are going to be engaging with Our Voice members about the Down Syndrome Act draft statutory guidance consultation. It is important that we listen to people who have Down's syndrome on this topic. For more information about the consultation process please visit https://loom.ly/XurzOHM

There's only two days to go until the BILD - (The British Institute of Learning Disabilities) #GrowingOlderWithLearningDisabilities webinar on 26 November at 12.30pm. Please make sure to book on if you haven't already, and would like to attend. Click the link to register: bild.org.uk/DWB

#DSEngage Live | Dance Class 💃🕺 Wake up and dance with DanceSyndrome via Zoom! Next Session: Thursday 27 November 2025. Time: 9.30 – 10.15am. The sessions will be led by a Dance Leader from DanceSyndrome. Book over on our website: https://loom.ly/fEn2yVs

Parent/guardian/carer survey: Eye care for your child who has Down's syndrome. 👁️ If you'd like to share your opinion/get involved in this survey, please follow the steps on the poster.

Leading a healthy lifestyle, based around physical activity, a balanced diet and looking after our mental health, will improve every area of our lives. ❤️‍🩹 We have a new resource for you to check out: 'Weight and People who have Down’s syndrome.' Click here to read it: https://loom.ly/x8XDTpc

Eyecare for adults and getting older - A webinar with Professor Maggie Woodhouse. 👁️ Wednesday 11 March 2026 at 12 Noon to 1.15pm. FREE. In this webinar Maggie will discuss eyecare for adults and the changes in vision that occur with ageing. Register here: https://loom.ly/LQJ-2YU

All of us at the DSA are so excited to announce that the brilliant Ellie Goldstein is joining our patron team and is our latest patron! 💃 We can't wait to see what she brings to the DSA and look forward to seeing what she gets up to next! 💚 Photo credit: Zuzia Zawada.

As #AntiBullyingWeek comes to an end, this is a reminder that anti-bullying isn’t just for Anti-Bullying Week! We will commit to use our #PowerForGood all year round. 💙 Please make sure to check out our emotional well-being resource here: https://loom.ly/C_Emm74

DSEngage Live | Pilates Plus 🧘 Next Session: Friday 14 November 2025. Time: 10am. You will participate at your own risk during these sessions. Please stop at any time if you feel unwell. Who's joing us this Friday? 🤩 Book to attend the session here: https://loom.ly/tUXbQg4

Have you checked out our guide on 'Policy Consultations' yet? This document is all about helping you understand how you can share your thoughts and experiences before any big changes are made to policies, laws, or services. You can check it out here: https://loom.ly/5R8mZCM

Today marks the start of Anti-Bullying Week 2025 - this year's theme is 'Power For Good.' In honour of this, we'd like to bring your attention to our Easy Read resource on bullying: https://loom.ly/cuh0F2c We will be sharing various resources on bullying this week to show our support.

DSEngage LIVE | Evening Disco 🕺 Join us for some great tunes and show us your favourite dance moves! Switch on your disco lights, wear your favourite outfit and lets get dancing. 🪩 Next Session: Tuesday 11 November 2025. Time: 7.00 – 8.00pm. You can sign up here: https://loom.ly/wFaWeos

Safe and healthy housing is essential for everyone, but it is especially important for adults who have Down’s syndrome. In 2020, sadly two-year-old Awaab Ishak died after prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s flat. Awaab’s Law came into force in 2025- read more here: https://loom.ly/0v7PQH4

All of us at the DSA would like to say a big congratulations to our My Perspective 2025 winners! 👏 We had a wonderful evening at our My Perspective Awards Evening showcasing the amazing work of our finalists. Roll on next year! 📷 #MyPerspective #MyPerspective2025

A team from UCL want to know why delays happen when people with learning disabilities (e.g. Down’s syndrome, autism with learning disability) need screening/diagnostic tests. They want to understand how to improve diagnostic pathways. To find out more/take part, click here: https://loom.ly/_DWwsEU

Carol Boys OBE, Chief Executive of the Down’s Syndrome Association provides an initial response to the Down Syndrome Act draft statutory guidance consultation. Read more: https://loom.ly/mv4dCzA

The final report for the Curriculum and Assessment Review was published today. Read this blog post for more information, as well as to read the DSA's thoughts on this: https://loom.ly/d9ehlzQ

Musculoskeletal issues are quite common in people who have Down’s syndrome. There are different reasons for this including low muscle tone, lax ligaments and hypermobile joints. For more information on this topic, please read our new resource here: https://loom.ly/LLurwco

Have you got an interesting story you'd like to share with us? 🤩 Sent out twice a year to all our members in March and September, the Journal contains news, resources, information, engaging features and fabulous stories from our members. Send in your stories here: https://loom.ly/h0Rpz_E