january 2012 - south manchester down syndrome support...

phone: 07593 542 107, email: [email protected] website: dsmanchester.org.uk

January 2012


Our Family Christmas party Many people generously gave their time and energy to make the party such a great suc-

cess—thank you. 38 families (over 70 adults and over 75 children) came along. There was a

lovely Sensory Stars session and two exciting drumming sessions. The children were

delighted to see Santa, who gave out presents whilst the fabulous Crystal Chords sang

beautiful seasonal songs. We raised £186.70 from the raffle and £85.60 from the Tom-

bola. Many thanks to everyone who helped and who donated prizes.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.dsmanchester.org.uk




Chatterbox Club

Heaton Moor Evangelical church, Green Lane, Heaton Moor SK4 3LH

Sing and sign times:

10:25-10:45 (3-6 year olds), 10:55-11:15 (6 plus), 11:30–12:00 (under 3’s)

Yoga: no yoga in January

Our Chatterbox Club is a family social occasion that also provides the opportunity for chil-

dren to get together with others of a similar age for group speech therapy. For families

who enroll for the SaLT, sessions are delivered by qualified speech and language therapists

who have specialist training in the specific communication needs of people who have Down’s

syndrome. Parents and carers can pick up useful ideas and information from the therapists

about how best to support their children’s communication. During the morning, families can

have a coffee and share information, ideas and tips while their children play or take part in

activities organised by an experienced arts and crafts teacher. “Sing and sign” classes are

led by an experienced signer, offering the whole family a chance to learn some signs - a

valuable support for children who have Down’s syndrome. We often have visitors to Chat-

terbox and Teachers and TAs are very welcome – the activities modelled in these ses-

sions are suitable to be used in educational settings. Even if your child is not enrolled for

SALT sessions, your family is very welcome to come along for coffee, chat and sing and

sign—just pop a donation in the box at the kitchen counter.

Dates for 2012:

January 28 February 25 March 24 April 28 May 19 (to avoid holidays) June 23

Chatterbox Venue Some of you may have noticed that we are

outgrowing our Chatterbox venue. If anyone

knows of a venue with a large hall (with cof-

fee making facilities) plus 4 other rooms (for

3 SaLT sessions and sing and sign), please let

Bernadette know: phone: 07593 542 107

email: [email protected]

Funding News

A huge thanks to.....................................

The Massey family who donated £210 in memory of Adam’s granddad Peter Massey.

"Going up for Downs" - a group of friends of Ian, Amy and Ella Tyrrell-Marsh who

walked up Snowden and raised £604.30 for us.

The Hilton in the community Foundation—who have awarded Chatterbox club £1,000

after we applied to the £10k Giveaway.




Preschool drop-ins 2012

9.15-11am

January 13, February 10, March 16

Chorlton Sure Start Centre, Chorlton

library Manchester Road, M21 9PN. We can

have a sing and sign session if you wish and

there will be an opportunity to have a drink,

chat and browse our resources.

Go to the Sure Start room at the back of the

library. map at: www.manchester.gov.uk/

directory_record/3963/chorlton_library

Useful information

Do you need a general benefits

check? Do you need funding for

special equipment? The DSA Bene-

fits Advisers can help on 0208 614

5100

The year Ahead at Symbol—please

see attached information

Down’s Syndrome football session at Moorside Rangers

The aim of the sessions will be to develop the group into a team in the same fashion as all

the others at Moorside Rangers with regular training sessions and competitive game oppor-

tunities. The team will be independent of Manchester United Foundation but it will be of-

fering support in its development to the coaches and organisers at the club. The Sessions

will run on the final Sunday of each month and will run from 11am-12:30pm and be open to

youngsters with Down’s Syndrome aged 6-16. Details of the session are as follows:

Date: Sunday 29th January Time: 11am-12:30pm Venue: Beechfarm Playing Fields,

off Safflower Avenue Swinton M27 9LS. Facilities: Outdoor astro-turf. You will Need:

Warm Clothing, Drinks, Shin pads, Trainers or rubber stud football boots (Trainers Ideal).

Further information, contact Adam Temple: [email protected].

DSA Conferences And Courses For Spring & Summer 2012

The conference programme from September to December will be announced during the

summer. The Down’s Syndrome Association also offers bespoke training for parents and

professionals supporting children and adults.

For further information visit the website: www.downs-syndrome.org.uk.

Co Worker Course For groups working with local health or education authorities to provide

speech and language sessions to groups of children with Down’s syndrome. This course on

three non-consecutive days equips Co Worker trainees with the knowledge and practical

skills they need to facilitate speech and language sessions for groups of children with DS

under the overall supervision of a qualified speech and language therapist. This course is run

in partnership with Symbol UK. Richard Ley Development Centre in Swansea, Weds 14

March, Weds 18 April and Weds 23 May Cost: £250 per person.

The Family Weekend The Family Weekend is a weekend for families who have a young child

with Down’s syndrome less than 24 months of age. While the young children, their brothers

and sisters can enjoy play sessions with experienced childcare workers, parents spend time

engaged in learning about Down’s syndrome, from hearing and vision issues to cognition and

play, from social emotional development to communication. The weekend promises to be



lively and interesting with time to meet other families. For families who have a child with

Down’s syndrome from birth to 24 months. Dorset, Friday evening 30 March, Saturday 31

March and Sunday 1 April Cost: £100 per parent, £50 per child over 2 years, infants with

Down’s syndrome are free.

Support and Practice in Early Years Education for Children with Down’s syndrome This

training day for parents and early years practitioners provides information about the learn-

ing and language profiles with practical advice and everyday strategies for supporting learn-

ing in early years education settings and at home. Workshops include how to promote learn-

ing through play, learn language, reading and number skills, develop fine motor skills and sup-

port the development of age appropriate behaviour. For parents and for professionals work-

ing in special and mainstream education settings. Langdon Down Centre in Teddington,

Thursday 24 May Cost: £115 for professionals, £40 for parents.

Support and Practice in Primary Education for Children with Down’s Syndrome This con-

ference delivers information about the learning and language profiles associated with having

Down’s syndrome and practical strategies to promote learning across the curriculum. The

workshops include activities to teach reading, writing and number skills and guidance for

supporting the development of age appropriate behaviour for children in mainstream and

specialised primary schools. This day is ideal for parents who want to know more about the

recommended methods for teaching children with Down’s syndrome and what they can do to

support their child’s education. For professionals working in special and mainstream educa-

tion settings and for parents. St Mary’s Conference Centre in Sheffield, Wednesday 16

May, Langdon Down Centre in Teddington, Thursday 24 May Cost: £115 for profession-

als, £40 for parents. Thursday 24 May Cost: £115 for professionals, £40 for parents.

Support and Practice in Secondary Education for Children and Young people with Down’s

Syndrome Designed for education professionals working in mainstream and specialised sec-

ondary schools, this conference focuses on understanding the learning and language profiles

associated with having Down’s syndrome, teaching and learning across the curriculum and

student participation in everyday school life. Parents and professionals will benefit from in-

formation about recommended teaching methods for literacy, language, numeracy, social de-

velopment and behaviour as well as effective ways of working collaboratively to support the

education of children and young people with Down’s syndrome. For professionals working in

special and mainstream education settings and for parents. St Mary’s Conference Centre

in Sheffield, Wednesday 16 May Cost: £115 for professionals, £40 for parents.

Communication, Language and Reading in Children with Down’s Syndrome – Birmingham

This training day will guide you through ways to teach reading and writing and support chil-

dren’s communication and language development. Workshops include how to teach children to

read whole words, learn about letters and sounds, develop phonic skills and how to help chil-

dren read with understanding. For parents of children with Down’s syndrome aged 2-11

years and for special and mainstream educational professionals involved in supporting the

development of reading and communication. Venue TBC in Birmingham, Wednesday 21

March Cost: £115 for professionals, £40 for parents.

Supporting Social Development and Behaviour in Children and Young People with Down’s

Syndrome – This training day will look at social development and behaviour in more detail

than our education conferences normally allow. We will start by considering the social and

emotional development and needs of children and young people, then look at how to change

unwanted behaviours, how to encourage positive behaviours and how to promote the devel-

opment of self help skills, independence and self esteem. For parents of children with

Down’s syndrome aged 3-16 years and for all education, health and social care professionals

who work with children with Down’s syndrome in this age group. Langdon Down Centre in

Teddington, Wednesday 14 March Cost: £115 for professionals, £40 for parents

Using Numicon to Support Understanding and Use of Number for Children with Down’s

Syndrome – This specialist training day will guide you through the challenges faced by chil-

dren with Down’s syndrome associated with developing numeracy and mathematics skills.

Using Numicon’s Firm Foundations Kit this practical day will teach you how to establish basic

number understanding, how to move beyond counting to calculating, and how to support chil-

dren to make connections between addition and subtraction, and multiplication and division.

This is a practical training workshop and places are limited to 30. For parents of children

with Down’s syndrome aged 4-16 years and for special and mainstream educational profes-

sionals involved in supporting the development of numeracy skills. Langdon Down Centre in

Teddington, Friday 22 June Cost: £115 for professionals, £40 for parents.

Getting a Life: planning the future with a young person with Down’s Syndrome -This day

will focus on the keys to planning, meaningful assessment, meeting identified needs and ad-

dressing unmet needs. This conference will highlight the variety of services available to

support young people and consider the best practice in planning for the future, taking into

account the aspirations, skills and support needs of individual young people. For parents of

young people with Down’s syndrome aged 14-25 years and for education, health and social

care professionals involved in the care and planning for the future of those young people.

Langdon Down Centre in Teddington, Wednesday 20 June Cost: £115 for professionals,

£40 for parents.

Booking forms and enquiries Please telephone the conference manager on 0208 6145100 or

email [email protected]

Fees Your fee includes attendance, refreshments, lunch and course documentation.

Full payment must be received prior to the conference, unless otherwise stated.

Parents/Carers £40. Professionals £115. If you book more than one event you will re-

ceive 10% discount on the total cost.

Confirmation of bookings All bookings will be acknowledged within ten working days of re-

ceipt and an invoice will be sent with acknowledgement to the relevant address. Please note

that we would be obliged if you could let us have your email address with booking forms to

enable us to email as many acknowledgments as possible. Joining instructions, map of the

venue and final conference details will be sent to delegates approximately twenty working

days prior to the event.

Additional requirements We would like to make our events as accessible as possible and

would ask that if you have any additional requirements such as wheelchair access, large

print documentation, or an induction loop, please let us know at the time of booking.

Cancellations Refunds will only be made if cancellations are received at least 20 working

days prior to the event. We regret that transfer of a booking to another event cannot be

made but a substitute delegate will be accepted at any time before each event.

Activities/Events

Independent Options Children and Family Centre* - see attached information.

Opportunity group, parent support group, after school club, Saturday events, Promotion

All ability Cycling* Open sessions are about recreational cycling where people can focus

on fun and the health benefits of riding bikes. There's no need to book, come down, take a

look! Cycling for all with disabilities and differing needs, fun together with family, friends

and carers, range of cycles for all abilities, opportunity to learn cycle skills with

qualified teachers. Trafford Wheelers Longford Athletics track, Ryebank Rd

Stretford M21 9TA. Sundays 1-3pm. (and Mondays and Fridays 9.30 - 12.30) £2

per session. Call Helen for details 07871621778. Stockport Wheelers Woodbank

Park, Saturdays 2.00 -4.30 (and Thursdays and Fridays 9.30 - 12.30) Call Sue for details

07753428937. Wythenshawe Wheelers Saturdays 1—3pm. (and Tuesdays and Wednesday

9.30 - 12.30) £1.50 per session. at The Athletics Facility, Wythenshawe Park, Wythen-

shawe Road, Manchester M23 0AB. The Veladrome, The National Cycling Centre, Stuart

Street, Manchester M11 4DQTuesdays and Wednesdays, 1 – 3.30pm, Call Helen for details

07871621778. Open all year round. No need to pre book a session. If you need any more in-

formation before you visit please ring Sue on 07753 428937.

Manchester Pre-school special needs groups* Stay and play sessions for young

children with disabilities are held throughout the city by the Pre-School Special Needs

Service (PSSN). For more information about any of these groups contact Donna

Griffin on 219 2648

The Friendship Club* for school age children who have Down‘s syndrome, their

siblings and friends to socialise together. Interested? Contact Caroline Sheehan on 0161-

925-6153.

L’Arche prayer evenings* A chance for people with learning disabilities, their friends,

carers, family and friends to pray and reflect together. Stay for a cup of tea and biscuits

afterwards! Every first Wednesday in the month, 7.30pm, at Chorlton Central Church, Bar-

low Moor Road, Chorlton, M21 8BF (Corner of Zetland Road and Barlow Moor Road). Fully

accessible venue. If you would like more information contact Kevin on 07714 397333 or at

[email protected]

*Please note: not run by the South Manchester Down Syndrome Support Group. For infor-

mation only—we are not responsible for changes to date, time or venue. Please use the

contact information supplied to confirm details and to ask any questions.




Dates for your diary

Preschool Drop-in January 13

Chatterbox January 28

Preschool Drop-in February 10

Chatterbox February 25

The views and items in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the South Manchester

Down’s Syndrome Support Group. Mention does not necessarily mean recommendation or

support.

January 2012

dsmanchester.org.uk,‘phone: 07593 542 107, [email protected]






Huge thanks to all the following for their

generous donations of raffle prizes:

Manchester United Football Club—signed photo of Javier Hernandez

Unicorn Grocery, Chorlton - £10 voucher and a delicious hamper

Funizuz indoor play centre, Cheadle—one month’s free pass

Croma Restaurant, Chorlton voucher— 2 x 3 course meals

Busy Bee Toy Shop Chorlton - £10 gift token

Chorlton Book Shop—box of note cards, photographic book of families,

photographic book of gardens, cookery book

Barbakan, Chorlton— an Italian Limocello and Italian almond biscuits

Boots the Chemist, Chorlton– L’Oreal make up & bag and Diesel weekend bag

Blossom Florist, Chorlton — beautiful Christmas poinsettia

Rumpus Toys, Didsbury £10 voucher

Elegant Touch Beauty Salon, West Didsbury Manicure

Cheese Hamlet, Didsbury £10 voucher

The Dish Ran Away With the Spoon, West Didsbury Box of cupcakes

Christmas Teddy—Debbie Koroma

Belly Button Gift Shop West Didsbury Bundle of assorted greetings cards

january 2012 - south manchester down syndrome support...

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