Solihull Down Syndrome Support Group Website

Website Under Review

Thank you for visiting us, we are currently reviewing and updating our website with a host of new and useful information, please bear with us during this transitional period. If you have any queries please email us at info@sdssg.org

About the Group

There has been a Down Syndrome Group in Solihull since 1990, which was run through the national Down’s Syndrome Association in London. Solihull Down Syndrome Support Group (Postitive About Down Syndrome) Charity then started in May 2002 - set up by a team of local parents of children with Down Syndrome. The Group is affiliated to the Down’s Syndrome Association in London.

A celebration evening was held to launch the group, with Joanne Malin from BBC Local News officially naming the group. Lee Carsley who has played for Everton & Birmingham City Football Clubs and is now at Coventry FC became our Patron at that time and continues to fulfill this key role for the Group. The present Board members all started in 2002 and between them have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with the wider group.

The Group provides support from birth to 19yrs and has grown significantly over the years to now include 65 families from Solihull and its surrounding areas. We aim to support the whole family, in a variety of ways which may include advice on form filling (e.g. DLA, Carers Allowance), transition into adulthood, activities for our children, speech and language therapy and family fun days out.

What we do

We aim to support children and young people with Down Syndrome and their families in providing the opportunity to make contact with other people in a similar situation. The support offered to families and the sharing of solutions to problems experienced by many families can help ease the feelings of isolation when they have a child with Down Syndrome.

Group News

The Return of The Great Train Fete

By Administrator Account on 18 June 2014 | Comments (2982)

The Great Train Fete is returning it will be held on 31st August 2014 at 11.00am till 4.00pm at the Birmingham Model Engineers Steam Train Centre, Illshaw Heath Road, Hockley Heath, Solihull B94 6DN. We will be holding a Cake Competition, Fancy Dress competitions, there will be plenty of entertainment, trains, food and lots of stalls to keep the children entertained. Come along and support us.

Great Train Fete

By Administrator Account on 15 August 2012 | Comments (950)

What a fabulous day! Our last Charity event;The Great Train Fete, took place on 16th September 2012 between 11.00- 4.00pm at the Birmingham Model Engineers Steam Train Centre, Illshaw Heath Road, Hockley Heath, Solihull B94 6DN. We had a fantastic turnout of families and friends and lots of supporters who wanted to simply come along and enjoy a fun packed day. The event was opened by the Lord Mayor of Solihull and included some wonderful singing by Reynalds Cross School Choir. Stalls included Name the Teddy, Face Painting, Hook a Duck, Lucky Dip, Candy Floss and Chocolate Fountain, Bottle and Book Stalls, with the greatest fun being had from the constant train rides all around the site! The sun kept shining throughout the day ensuring a great day had by all and an outstanding amount of money raised to support the ongoing work of our Group. A big thank you to all those who attended the event and helped make it such a successful and most of all a fun day for everyone. Photos can be found on the website.

Lee Carsley supports disabled children in sport

By SuperUser Account on 12 March 2012 | Comments (0)

This piece first broadcast on 29 Feb 2012. Televised on UK's regional television BBC1 West Midlands. Programme (Program) -- Midlands Today.

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virgin money giving

Stories

Here are some stories of how people have raised money for our group:-

The on-set of a midlife crisis with my 30^th birthday looming gave me the perfect opportunity to take on a personal challenge whilst raising money for charity at the same time, and it was with this in mind that in late 2011, I entered the 2012 Sheffield Half Marathon.

The Solihull Down Syndrome Support Group have been a great help to my nephew Noah and his family over the last 6 years, so it was an easy decision when considering which charity to harangue my friends, family and work colleagues for donations for.

Training for the half marathon started in earnest in January 2012 (6 months ahead of the race date) from a relatively modest position of being able to manage an underwhelming single mile before having to stop and wonder what I’d let myself in for. But by the date of the race (27^th May) my numerous injuries had pretty much resolved themselves and the many miles spent pounding the streets of Hall Green had had the desired effect, so myself and 5500 other runners headed to Sheffield for 13.1 miles of “fun “.

The race-day itself was bathed in beautiful sunshine (lovely) and soaring temperatures (not so lovely for running) but despite the roasting temperatures facing all the runners, the atmosphere at the start-line was fantastic, with most of the 5500 runners also there to run on behalf of equally deserving causes. Once the race started, the crowd along the route helped cheer on all of the sun-scorched runners, with some of the crowd dishing out Jelly Babies for weary runners in need of a sugar kick.

After 2 hours and 10 minutes I finally made it across the finish line, very tired but incredibly happy. Overall donations to the Solihull Down Syndrome Support Group of nearly £600 (plus Gif t Aid) is fantastic, a big thank you from myself and Noah to everybody who made a donation.