Our Impact in 2024
THank you!
2024 has been a busy year for DS Achieve. As a small charity, we remain committed to our vision of every child with Down Syndrome in our community having the opportunity to thrive and reach their potential.
This year, we have reached more families, expanded our services, and strengthened our community.
We are so grateful to all our incredible supporters - the families we work with, our grant funders, our social media followers, and MASSIVE thanks to our employee team, our trustees, our Advisory Teachers and our volunteers - you are all truly AMAZING!
We are thrilled to share our overview of 2024.
little achievers
Our weekly play and development group for children aged 0-5 years continues to provide a safe, supportive space for young children and their families to connect, learn, and grow. The programme has been funded by The National Lottery until August 2024 and is currently funded by The Herts Community Fund and The Hobson Charity.
This year saw a change in the team as we bid a fond farewell to Hannah at the end of the summer term as she embarked on a new life in Australia, however we were thrilled that Eve was able to step into the Manager role. We also saw Emma join the team to work alongside Eve, Sandra and Rachael in ensuring the group continues to thrive.
We continued to host our visiting therapists (Speech and Language, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy) to offer tailored advice and support to families whilst delivering many themed activities. The children enjoyed lots of sensory and messy play, and crafts, to enhance their fine and gross motor skills and equip them to reach their developmental milestones.
“It’s the most supportive, welcoming group, where there is no judgement, just lots of friendly chat and support. ”
“At a time when it can be so hard to get ongoing support from the NHS, or to find professionals with DS experience, it’s felt such a privilege to benefit from regular contact with expert teachers and professionals, who have helped our child so much over the years. ”
YOUNG ACHIEVERS
This weekly programme for children and young people aged 5-18 is designed to promote social skills, confidence, and friendship. The group provides a fun and supportive environment where participants can explore their potential. The programme was funded by Children in Need until August 2024 and is now funded through fundraising, donations and the Shanley Foundation.
The programme is delivered by Emma, Charlotte N and Charlotte L plus our fabulous volunteer team of young people. We were sad to say goodbye to Avril at Easter but delighted that Emma joined the team as Leader.
This year, we delivered themed sessions on communication, listening skills and being kind. The children and young people joined in games such as obstacle courses, duck duck goose, scavenger hunts, ball games and the always popular parachute. We celebrated International Yoga Day, Space Week and the Olympics. The children and young people enjoyed demonstrating their individual strengths through karaoke, show-and-tell sessions and talent shows.
“There is a wonderful bond between all staff, volunteers and young people. We feel so blessed to be part of the DS Achieve family ”
“A place for my child to be with peers and is not just about keeping up with them/ having to work really hard at being in the group, but can relax in a social environment with peers that they are at a level with. ”
“My child is always keen to come to the group. It’s a highlight of their week. ”
Resources into Schools
This programme combines bespoke Specialist Down Syndrome Advisory Teacher advice to schools and nurseries together with the delivery of a practical resource or personalised training to help teachers better support individual children with Down Syndrome specific aspects of their learning.
“Giving Down Syndrome specific resources, training and specialist support to mainstream teachers is so valuable, this can make huge differences in the development of a child’s learning and them reaching their full potential.
Thank you for all you are doing and strive to do to make a difference to so many children’s futures, and families lives.”
“The visits have been informative and useful. They have boosted staff confidence with using particular resources and with ideas for how best to support the pupil.”
Resources into Homes
This is a bespoke service for early years children which provides direct training from a Specialist Down Syndrome Advisory Teacher, to parents, on how to use a specialist resource to enable your child to achieve maximum progression with their learning at this early stage.
The topic for the Spring term will be Speech, so keep an eye out for bookings opening in January!
My Voice Volunteer programme
In partnership with Hertfordshire Libraries, the ‘My Voice’ volunteer programme gives young people with Down Syndrome (aged 14-24) the opportunity to join the Hertfordshire Libraries youth volunteer network in libraries across the county. So far we have supported 5 volunteers and delivered specialist training to over 300 library staff to ensure inclusive and supportive environments for the young volunteers.
“Thank you for putting in place the support from DS Achieve that has allowed us to welcome our volunteer. She is a real asset to our team! I hope that more young people referred by DS Achieve can join us as volunteers across the county.
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“I’ve gained more confidence here - I can help people and it’s helped me be more confident, social, and resilient.”
“This volunteering placement is just fantastic - he makes his own way to the library after college and makes his own way home again. Brilliant for building independence and responsibility.
We are over the moon!”
TRAINING
We ran our ‘Supporting Pupils with Down Syndrome in Education’ training again in the Autumn term, this training continues to have high demand from schools in Hertfordshire and the surrounding counties. Thank you to Helen Long for delivering this course on our behalf.
Twice this year, we have had the privilege of delivering a training day on Down Syndrome to student midwives at City University. Our goal was to educate and empower the next generation of midwives and medical professionals to approach future families with greater knowledge, balanced views, compassion, and positivity. Thank you to parent and Speech and Language Therapist Emma Vaughan for joining us to debunk myths around Down Syndrome, and highlight how using the right language has enormous power, which can make the world of difference to the parents midwives support.
We hosted a free workshop for parent carers on making an EHCP application with 12 attendees, thank you to Tracey Allen for running the workshop and sharing her expertise with our families.
We have provided bespoke 'whole school' training on Down Syndrome for two schools and delivered internal training to our staff and volunteers on effectively using sign language as a communication tool.
Fundraising
An ENORMOUS thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts throughout 2024. Whether you baked or ate a cake, simply donated to our World Down Syndrome Day cake and coffee morning fundraiser, or encouraged your child’s school to host an Odd Socks Day, your contributions made a huge difference. Every gesture counts, and we deeply appreciate your support.
We are especially grateful to everyone who participated in our 'Choose Your Challenge' summer fundraiser. From movement marathons to spider plant sales, sponsored walks (including a 3 Peaks challenge), to donations from a prayer event, from a 'dry July' to a 500km bike ride, your creativity and generosity have been inspiring. Together, we raised over £1,500! Whether you took part, sponsored a friend, or simply shared our posts, your involvement helps us continue empowering children and young people with Down Syndrome.
As a small charity, your support is vital in helping us sustain our services and enable children and young people to thrive. Looking ahead to 2025, we are committed to building sustainable funding and strengthening our community, to ensure DS Achieve can continue to create a lasting, positive impact for years to come.
Your support means the world to us - thank you!
Behind the scenes
In addition to events, we have had huge success with raising awareness, sharing knowledge, information and positivity throughout the year by sending out newsletters, keeping our social media and website up to date and actively participating in community and networking events. We have been working hard to spread the word about DS Achieve and highlight our range of services, raising awareness and building valuable local relationships.
Family PARTY
We loved celebrating with 120 of you at our 5th birthday family party in January 2024, and we had so much fun that we wanted to throw another party!
Please join us at our family party on Sunday 26th January, 3-5pm, tickets are available now!
THANK YOU all for your support, hard work, funding, cheerleading, Facebook ‘likes’ and all-around love. We are incredibly grateful and we are looking forward to carrying on delivering these services to you in 2025.
