It was biscuit decorating and dancing for me last week as I attended a meet and greet session hosted by the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group at Oakhurst Primary School.
The event was hosted by the group alongside parents and teachers for children with Down’s Syndrome and their families. It was a huge success as it presented both a great networking opportunity for adults, as well as a chance for the children to make friends and join in with different activities.
It gave me an opportunity to learn more about the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group, which is a parent-led charity working across Swindon with an affiliation to the National Down’s Syndrome Association.
The charity funds a variety of local projects including training days for teachers working with Down’s Syndrome children, as well as a speech and language therapist for the children. They have been running for over ten years and in 2010 received an MBE from the Queen for voluntary services - and thoroughly deserved too!
I was also able to learn more about Down’s Syndrome itself, the genetic disorder which effects people from birth. I was particularly concerned to hear how children with Down’s Syndrome can get left behind in the education system due to a lack of understanding about the condition.
Education should be a right for every child and everyone deserves a fair start in life. That’s why the work done by the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group and the teachers at Oakhurst to bring families together is so important.
By making sure that children and families alike have a support network of people in similar circumstances, the group is creating an environment where everybody is welcome and children are encouraged to thrive - something which is vital for every child’s development and quality of life.
Particular praise should go to Sarah Tuck at Oakhurst Primary School who organised the event along with others at the school, and helped to get everybody together to offer mutual support and create lasting connections. A well done is also owed to Kim West, the Chair of Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group for helping to run such a fantastic organisation.
Children from over seven different primary schools attended the event, which was originally inspired by Florence Park, a reception pupil at Oakhurst who has Down’s Syndrome. Thankfully, the gathering was such a success that Sarah and the group are already thinking about hosting the next one.
If you know anybody who would benefit from getting involved then they should contact Sarah Tuck at Oakhurst Primary School, or visit www.swindondownsgroup.org.uk for more information. It really is a fantastic group made of up inspirational children, parents and teachers who are keen to welcome everybody.
