Ups and Downs South West is a Down Syndrome support organisation, supplying information, advice and support to parents, carers, families, friends and professionals throughout the South West region.
Mission Statement
It is our mission to ensure that all children and young people with Down Syndrome are supported in the best way possible and are thus enabled to reach their full potential. To achieve this we seek to make sure that anyone and everyone involved with the child or young person's environment, care, support and education, are themselves fully informed and supported.
Our Vision
Every child and young person with Down Syndrome enjoys a happy and secure environment which meets their emotional, social, health and educational needs; and that they are accepted by, included in, and enabled to make a positive contribution to, the society in which they live.
What We Do
Our activities focus on both family and professional services; with regular face to face meetings and home visits to provide appropriate information advice and support for families, alongside training and information events and visits for professionals.
We co-ordinate networks providing friendship and support for families and supportive networks for schools and professionals.
We organise regular family days where families throughout the region meet to enjoy activities, have fun and exchange experiences and information.
We provide individually tailored services and support to all those who encounter Down Syndrome in any capacity, be they parent or professional.
Please click here to contact us.
Ups and Downs South West seeks to help and support anyone and everyone who encounters Down Syndrome.
Families
The family includes immediate family members, such as parents, siblings, carers, and extended family members such as aunts and uncles, and grandparents, who may have an anxious and bleak vision of the future for a child with Down Syndrome and require some optimistic information!
Children
We actively seek to help children with Down Syndrome reach their full potential both educationally and socially.
Professionals
To achieve this, we provide training, information and advice to educational and healthcare professionals, such as consultant paediatricians, registrars, community paediatric nurses, midwives, health visitors, obstetricians, schools, teachers, support assistants, special educational needs co-ordinators, educational psychologists and representatives from Social Care, in order that they, in turn, may provide up to date information, understanding and empathic support to vulnerable children and families.
Ups and Downs S outhwest - Staff and Trustees - Meet The Team
Wendy Hellowell - Founder, and full time Chief Executive Officer and Family Support Lead
Wendy has a daughter Anna and a son Oliver who has Down Syndrome. Wendy's passion and commitment to support children who have Down Syndrome, by supporting families and all those involved with their care and education, has helped to get the organisation to where it is today.
Sharon Williams - Full time Family Support
Sharon is mother to four children including Molly who has Down Syndrome.
She is able to provide understanding and empathic support to families and has proved an invaluable addition to the team.
David Cudworth - Specialist Advisory Teacher.
David has a genuine commitment to the service and the children and is passionate about teaching
He has nearly twenty years teaching experience and has taught across the whole primary age
range as well as in secondary schools, both in the UK and abroad.
Mike O'Carroll - Photographer, resource production and bookkeeping/admin
Michelle Sugg - Administration
Mandy Beasley - Part time Family Support Worker
Ian Darby - Part time Youth Worker
Mark Hulland - Chairperson
Mark is also an Independent Parental Supporter and Strengthening Families trainer.
Paul Knight -Treasurer
Paul has a son George who has Mosaic Down Syndrome.
Julie Williams - Secretary
Julie is mum to Lydia and also to Layla who has Down Syndrome
Robert Vale - Trustee and grandparent
Janet Dunn - Trustee
Jim Cloney - Trustee
David Lee - Trustee and parent
Michelle Sugg - Trustee and parent
Michelle Battersby - Trustee
Marie Briar - Trustee and parent
Stuart Edmonstone - Trustee
Stephen Battersby - Trustee
Useful Links:
Down's Syndrome Association
Downsed International
Down's Heart Group
A Bit Special Photography
Mike O'Carroll photography
Maths Extra
BIBIC
Here is a list of what we hope you will find to be useful information.
Please remember to look through the 'Resources' sections to be found in both the 'Parents and Familes' link AND in the 'Schools' link - both found on the Home Page. These areas contain lots of downloadable information and resources useful to parents as well as professionals. We suggest that parents have a good rummage in the Schools' sections - you'll find all sorts of useful stuff!!
See the 'useful links' section above, to link directly to various organisations which will be of use. Downsed International is a link to be found there and is a huge site with masses of information around all areas of your child's development and education.
Maths extra, another link in 'Useful Links', is an organisation concentrating on numeracy resources which work particularly well with our kids. Vikki provides lots of useful advice and support, contact her on 01747 861 503 or vikki.horner_mathsextra.com
If you have problems with your child's sleeping habits, be they young or old, then help is at hand! There is a wonderful organisation called Sleep Solutions who can supply you with trained sleep counsellors who have specific knowledge around children with additional needs and will be able to advise you, produce a suggested programme for you, and support you as you implement that programme. The service is completely free to families who have a child with special needs.
Contact Karen Hunt on: 01432 355308 or email: website: www.sleepsolutions.org.uk
A website with lots of brilliant bedding ideas for young and thrashing sleepers is www.bumpto3.com
Dont forget we can help you fill in your DLA forms, so just give us a call. If however you're happy to do it on your own or with help from someone else please can we just suggest that you DON'T put any distance in the "How far can your child walk" section which comes under the 'Outdoors' section of the form, if your child is 3yrs or over. Ring our office for more information or help if required.
You can access a free pass for carers when going to the cinema by looking up www.ceacard.co.uk and putting in your details
If you are thinking about your Last Will and Testament (there's a cheery subject!), then MENCAP regularly run a series of free sessions where they provide information on how to set up wills and trusts for parents and carers of children with special needs. Call 0207696 6925 and speak to Gina Collins or email willsandtrusts_mencap.org.uk
Another useful website, this time for car seatbelt fastenings and car-seats for escape artists is: www.incarsafetycentre.co.uk
