Funding Boost for Young Achievers – Now Recruiting!

We’re delighted to share that, thanks to grant awards from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Simon Gibson Charitable Trust, the Young Achievers programme has confirmed funding for the next academic year.  

The grants will allow us to continue running the programme from September and to add an additional Support Worker role to our Young Achievers team, to provide extra hands-on support to the children/young people attending our Saturday afternoon sessions.

We’re also recruiting for our existing Young Achievers Assistant Leader role - a fantastic opportunity to support the planning and delivery of our weekly social skills and confidence-building group for young people with Down Syndrome.

Both roles are term-time only and based in Welwyn Garden City on Saturday afternoons. You’ll be joining a warm, committed and fun team who are passionate about helping young people reach their potential.

We’re incredibly grateful for both grant funders’ support, which help us sustain this important work - but as a small charity, we continue to face significant funding pressures and still rely heavily on our community to keep our services going. Your continued support truly means the world.

To find out more about the roles, please have a look at the role profiles in the links below:

Young Achievers Assistant Leader

Young Achievers Support Worker

If you are interested in applying for the position, please get in touch with your CV and the reasons why you’re interested in the role on info@dsachieve.org.

The application deadline is Monday 30th June. Please expect to receive a response to your application once the deadline has passed.

We are recruiting for a Young Achievers Assistant Leader! - Applications now closed

Subject to successful grant funding for the next academic year, we’re recruiting for a Young Achievers Assistant Leader. You will report to the Young Achievers Group Leader and be responsible for supporting the running of the programme, which will include assisting with planning and delivering the weekly activity sessions, managing the volunteer schedule, supporting communications with parents, liaising with external activity providers where needed, and helping to supervise the team.

Pay: £14.30 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Statutory holiday entitlement

Hours: 5 hours per week for 31 weeks per year (term time only):

• 4 hours to be worked 2pm - 6pm on Saturday afternoons at the YAs venue

• 1 hour to be worked during each week from home, ahead of the Saturday group sessions.  The timing of this is flexible and should be agreed with the YAs Group Leader.

YAs location: Applecroft School, Applecroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JZ

Contract: Fixed Term for 11 months (Sept 25 – Jul 26), with a view to renewing for the next academic year

Start date: September 2025

If you are interested in applying for the position and want to find out more, please read the role profile here and get in touch with your CV and the reasons why you’re interested in the role on info@dsachieve.org.

The application deadline is Wednesday 21st May. Please expect to receive a response to your application once the deadline has passed.

UPDATE Thursday 22nd May: Applications have now closed and we are unable to accept any further applicants.

Updates to our Governance Structure and Team

We are excited to share some DS Achieve people news with you! Please be reassured that these changes will not impact our services. These behind-the-scenes updates are designed to strengthen how we govern, operate and grow - ensuring we’re in the best possible shape for the future. 

Board of Trustees: Chair and Trustee Roles

After five years leading DS Achieve as Chair of Trustees, Co-Founder Gillian Warwick-Thompson is stepping down from the role.  We are immensely grateful for Gillian’s outstanding leadership, dedication and unwavering belief in what DS Achieve can accomplish.   She has worked tirelessly to establish the charity and expand the range of services we offer, whilst continuously supporting and developing the team and individual families with the challenges they’ve faced. 

We’re thrilled to say Gillian will remain on our Board, continuing to share her expertise and guidance. Thank you, Gillian, for everything you’ve done - and continue to do - from everyone at DS Achieve and on behalf of our families. 

We’re equally delighted to announce that fellow Co-Founders Michelle Bolton and Kelly Harris will succeed Gillian, jointly stepping in to Co-Chair the charity. Both have a long-standing history with DS Achieve, having previously been Co-Chairs, and Michelle has also been our Head of Operations for the past five years. Their deep knowledge and passion for our mission will ensure strong continuity at Board level as we continue to drive the work of the charity forward. Kelly has taken on her new role from 1st May, with Michelle joining her from September. Thank you to Kelly for re-joining the team as Co-Chair and to Michelle for her firm and ongoing commitment to leading DS Achieve into the next phase. DS Achieve is fortunate to have such strong leadership for the future. 

The four other members of our Trustee Board (Rob, Selena, Tina and Huw) will also continue to contribute their time and expertise to our governance and strategic development. We are hugely grateful for all they volunteer to do for the charity. 

Changes to our Management Team

When Michelle moves to her new Co-Chair role in September, we’re pleased to announce that Fiona Forster will lead Operations going forward. Fiona joined DS Achieve as Operations Manager in September 2023 and quickly established herself as a core part of the DS Achieve senior team. Over the past 18 months, Fiona has shown great leadership in both service delivery and team management. She guides our employee team with a calm and thoughtful approach, and has been instrumental in developing and launching new services. This next step is a well-deserved recognition of her contribution to DS Achieve and we wish Fiona every success in her new role.

To support Fiona in her new role, we are in the process of recruiting a part-time Services Administrator.  The closing date was 6th May 2025 and interviews will shortly be underway, with a view to making an offer in the coming weeks.  Our aim is for our new team member to complete their induction and settle into their new role before the end of the academic year.

Join our Board of Trustees

Finally, we’re always keen to hear from individuals who are interested in becoming Trustees. We’re proud to have a Board with a strong and diverse mix of skills and experience and we’d particularly welcome those with lived experience of Down Syndrome, or backgrounds in education or social services, safeguarding, fundraising, or relevant professional fields. If you’re passionate about making a difference and you can commit 5-10 hours per term, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us on info@dsachieve.org to arrange an informal chat. 

Thank you for your continued support - we’re excited about the next chapter for DS Achieve and the opportunities it brings. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions. 

We wish everyone success in their new roles.

DS Achieve Charity Place Available for the 2026 TCS London Marathon

We’re excited to share that DS Achieve has secured one charity place for the 2026 TCS London Marathon, taking place on Sunday 26th April 2026.

Taking part in this world-famous event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and by running for DS Achieve, you’ll be helping to raise vital funds to support children and young people with Down Syndrome.

If selected as our runner, we ask that you:

• Pay a £50 registration fee

• Commit to a minimum fundraising target of £2,000

Every mile you run and every pound you raise will go directly towards our essential services.

If you’d like to apply for the space, please follow the link below and submit your entry before 31st May 2025.

If you have any questions or would like to chat before applying, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at info@dsachieve.org.

We are recruiting a Services Administrator! - Applications now closed

We’re excited to be recruiting for a brand new part-time Services Administrator role at DS Achieve.

As the demand for our services continues to grow and the funding landscape becomes more challenging, we’re creating this role to help build capacity within our small team. By strengthening our administrative support, we can free up valuable time to focus more energy on fundraising, ensuring our vital work can continue and grow.

If you’re highly organised, a great communicator, and have a sharp eye for detail, we’d love to hear from you!

To find out more details, please have a look at the role profile here.

To apply, please send your CV and your reasons for your interest in the role to us at: info@dsachieve.org.

The application deadline is Tuesday 6th May. Please expect to receive a response to your application once the deadline has passed.

UPDATE Wednesday 7th May: Applications have now closed and we are unable to accept any further applicants.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

Each year on 21st March we mark World Down Syndrome Day. We celebrate Down Syndrome (DS) to raise awareness about what it means to have DS and the huge potential that people with DS have.

On this day, we create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with DS.

Why the 21st March? The 21st day of the third month was chosen to represent the three copies of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. This unique chromosomal pattern is often represented by brightly coloured or mismatched socks, as their shape resembles chromosomes.

World Down Syndrome Day is a perfect time to get talking about DS, dispel myths, raise awareness (and funds!) and most importantly, celebrate.

A great way to do this is by taking part in the 'Lots Of Socks' campaign. The campaign was launched to get people talking, and is a celebration of everything that makes all of us different, and yet the same.

Wear some mismatched or colourful socks that are going to get noticed and then when someone notices, it’s the perfect opportunity to say, “I’m wearing them to raise awareness about Down Syndrome”. And that’s your chance to share everything you want them to understand about DS.

The theme for WDSD 2025 is to call on all Governments to ‘Improve Our Support Systems’. For more information about WDSD 2025, here are some useful links:

Improve Our Support Systems - Down Syndrome International

Improve Our Support Systems - theme explainer

Down Syndrome explained

WDSD 2025 – Down Syndrome UK

World Down Syndrome Day | United Nations

We are incredibly grateful for all of the support that you give us. Your generosity enables us to continue delivering our high quality services that make a meaningful difference in the lives of our families.

What better occasion than World Down Syndrome Day to show your support of DS Achieve through a donation? If we’ve made a positive impact in your life or in the life or someone you love, please consider making a contribution to us.

Vacancy - Chair of Trustees

DS Achieve is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation formed by parents of children with Down Syndrome. Our vision is that every child with Down Syndrome in our community has the opportunity to thrive and reach their potential. We support and champion children and young people with Down Syndrome by providing advice and support to their parents and carers, ensuring professionals are knowledgeable and skilled, and creating a positive, inclusive community. Our team is professional, dynamic and inclusive.

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced individual to lead our Board of Trustees as Chair. This is a voluntary position, with a commitment of approximately 10 to 15 hours per month, including attendance at half-termly board meetings and occasional events. Board meetings are held in the St Albans area (or online).

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to the Board, ensuring it operates within its charitable objectives and complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.

• Work closely with the Head of Operations to support delivering DS Achieve's strategic objectives.

• Act as an ambassador for DS Achieve, promoting its work and enhancing its public profile.

About You:

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience of chairing a board, partnership, or high-level committee, with the ability to run meetings effectively and in a collegiate fashion. 

• A passion for supporting children and young people with Down Syndrome.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster relationships with a range of stakeholders.

• An understanding of charity governance and the responsibilities of trustees.

What We Offer:

While the role is unremunerated, reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed and training will be provided. The role will help you enhance and develop your leadership skills in a small but professionally run organisation. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of children and young people with Down Syndrome in our community, working with a friendly and dedicated team of trustees and staff.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role to info@dsachieve.org by 21 March 2025. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Gillian Warwick-Thompson on 07826 086511.

DS Achieve is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us in empowering families and fulfilling potential.

What an Afternoon! Highlights from our DS Achieve Family Party

We’re still on a high from all the fun we had with so many of you at our Family Party on Sunday!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us - it was wonderful to see so many families come together and celebrate as part of our amazing DS Achieve community.

The Jersey Farm Community Centre was the perfect venue for an afternoon packed with activities for all ages. Here’s a look at what we got up to:

• soft play for little ones to enjoy

• a dedicated quiet room for those needing a break from the excitement of the main room

• crafts galore - scratch art, colouring and animal mask decorating

• an activity zone featuring giant Connect 4, Ball in the Bucket, Frisbee Challenge, Monkey Mayhem, Ring Toss, and Table Football

• a ‘selfie’ spot with fun props and an Instagram frame

• a raffle with a fantastic hamper prize, generously donated by Scott and Emma Vaughan, and won by Nikki and family

• guessing competitions:

  • number of sweets in the jar, won by Lisa

  • teddy bear’s name (Lucy), won by Jo

• the refreshments station with squash and snacks, plus hot drinks from the Blue Tangerine Horsebox Café, which provides young people with SEND employability skills and experience

A special shout-out to the incredibly talented professional photographer, Stephanie Belton, who generously donated her time and skills to capture the fun, laughter and family moments of the day. Be sure to check our her amazing photos!

A massive THANK YOU to the fantastic volunteer team without whom this event wouldn’t have been possible: Alhaam, Ariella, Charlie, Charlotte N, Cole, Helena, Kambiz, Jake, Lisa, and Max - thank you for all your hard work and enthusiasm!

If you attended, we'd love to hear your thoughts! Share your family’s highlights or any suggestions for making our next event even better by emailing us at: info@dsachieve.org

Generous donation from Mike and Steph Whateley

We would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Steph and Mike Whateley for their fantastic fundraising. They have been busy making and selling their delicious marmalade and have raised an incredible £125 for DS Achieve.

Every penny of this donation will go towards our work with families and professionals to enable children and young people with Down Syndrome to fulfil their potential.

We are extremely grateful, thank you!

Join us and make a difference…

DS Achieve is on the lookout for new Trustees to join our team in 2025, and you could be the perfect candidate!

By becoming a Trustee, you can:

• make a difference to children and young people with Down Syndrome and their families

• influence what we do at DS Achieve and how we do it

• be part of a passionate and committed team

We are particularly keen to receive applications from parents and/or siblings of a child or young person with Down Syndrome.

If you are passionate about making a difference and would like to volunteer some of your time and skills to a great charity, then this could be the role for you.

A full role description and more information can be found below. We are committed to equality and diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

To apply, please send a relevant CV to info@dsachieve.org. For further information or to discuss any aspects of the role, please contact our Chair of Trustees, Gillian Warwick-Thompson, either by email as above or by phone 07826 086511.