Menu
Cart

Examiner

HDSSG take part in WISH2013

, , , , , ,

WISH

Huddersfield Down Syndrome Support Group are taking part in the Huddersfield Examiner’s community cash giveaway which could see us take a share of £25000. This is the second year that the paper have given local charities and community groups the opportunity to raise awareness of their work and claim a share of the funds.

Harry Wish

In 2013 we came in the top 10 groups in our area from more than 100, and raised over £400 – this year we hope to fair just as well!

Tokens are appearing in each issue of the Huddersfield Examiner from today (01.10.13) until Saturday 30th November. If you can save them for HDSSG and would like us to collect them please email us at hdssg1@gmail.com. Thank you in advance!

 

wish2

 

Olympic dream for young swimmers

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Young swimmers with learning difficulties will taste life as Olympic athletes next year.

A seven strong team from the Borough of Kirklees Special Needs Club Squad is taking part in the Special Olympics National Games in Bath.

It is a big opportunity for the young swimmers, and the group has applied to the Examiner’s Wish Campaign to help with travel and accommodation costs.

If you treat yourself to a therapy with Joan at Serenity she will donate 50% of all treatment bookings taken during October and November towards the squad. Click here for treatments & prices: Winter Pamper Offers

HDSSG is also helping them raise funds by hosting a Body Shop Party and raffle on Friday November 30th at the Watershed, Bridge Street, Slaithwaite. Raffle prizes include a spa experience for 2 at Titanic Spa, a 2 month gym membership for 2 courtesy of Kirklees Active Leisure and hampers from Costa Coffee and WH Smith!

The swimmers taking part are Joanne Kempley, Jack Drennen, Ruben Reuter, Aisling Connelly, Zoe Rank, Rebekah Hill and Ben Sweeney.

The squad will be accompanied by two volunteers and the trip will cost a minimum of £375 per person.

Team manager Christine Kempley, mum of Joanne, 22, said “This is a great opportunity for the swimmers to be independent and be part of a bigger team. hopefully they will give Kirklees something to celebrate”

The squad have operated for about 10 years and helps young people with learning difficulties to keep fit and healthy, learn about competition and team spirit and meet new people.

“They celebrate each other’s successes and commiserate if things don’t go as well as they hoped” said Christine.

For some of our members it’s their only experience of being ‘first’ at something. It gives them a tremendous feeling of self worth and self confidence.

BOK disability swim squad need your help!

, , , , , , , ,

HDSSG are proud to have some amazing swimmers in our group. They swim with the Borough Of Kirklees (BOK) disability squad and have their sights set on the Special Olympics in Bath next year. The squad have to raise a substantial amount of funds to get them there, and here’s how you can help! –

 

Collect tokens from the Huddersfied Examiner newspaper for the Wish Campaign to help the BOK squad receive a share of £25,000…

 

Pop your green token for reusing your own bags from Asda Huddersfield into their collection box behind the checkouts, the ‘winning’ organisation will receive a cash donation!

 

Come along to our Body Shop Party at the Watershed, Slaithwaite, on November 30th. Where you can spoil yourself to some fantastic products and maybe get lucky on our raffle too! Top prize is a spa break for 2 at Huddersfield’s Eco Spa – Titanic Spa! woooo!

GO TEAM BOK!!

HDSSG take part in Examiner Wish 2012

, , , , , , , , ,

 

Thank you to the Huddersfield Examiner for another lovely article. As part of their ‘Wish 2012’ campaign they will feature all the charities and organisations in Huddersfield that have joined up in the hope of receiving a share of £25,000. Today our very own HDSSG got their chance to shine:

 

FAMILIES who have children with Down Syndrome in Huddersfield have access to  a parents’ network of advice and support.

The Huddersfield Down Syndrome Support Group has harnessed the latest  technology to ensure they are constantly in touch.

An easy-to-use website, Facebook page and Twitter feed mean friendly help and  advice is only a click away.

The group, which has some 40 members, is open to all Huddersfield parents  with children from birth age to 21 years.

Communications officer Leanne Davies, whose six-year-old son Jack has Down  Syndrome, said the group was run by parents for parents and always welcomed new  members.

The group regularly holds social events and gatherings aimed at all the  family including brothers and sisters.

Days at the seaside, impromptu picnics, trips to the zoo, swimming sessions  and the much-anticipated annual panto visit are loved by the children.

The group, though, offers a great deal of practical help and advice for  parents.

Leanne said: “The idea is that we can all share our experiences with each  other.

“We all have different areas of expertise. For example some of us work in  schools and can help with issues involving schooling.

“There are some great services available locally and we can help people  access them.”

This weekend the group will launch Tiny Talkers, a six-week speech and  language therapy programme.

The Sunday morning sessions will take place at The Watershed in  Slaithwaite.

Due to demand from parents, the group has invested in training for one of  their number, Bernie Egan, a mum of two children with Down Syndrome.

Bernie trained with Symbol UK and will deliver the programme to younger  children first.

Leanne, 32, who lives in Oakes, said: “This is something that has come from  parents.

“As we all know resources are stretched in the area and communication for our  children is absolutely vital.

“Hopefully we will be able to continue to develop the programme as we go  along.”

While the accent is on fun, the group is about so much more than that.

“It’s not just about days out,” said Leanne. “It’s about educating and  empowering parents.”

To contact the group go to: www.hdssg.org.

Down Syndrome is a genetic condition which results in some level of  learning disability and a characteristic range of physical features.

Learning disability significantly affects a child’s ability to learn compared  with other children of their age.

It does not mean, however, that a child cannot learn at all.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISPLAY ONE OF OUR POSTERS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COPY & PRINT THIS PDF – HDSSG token poster

Read More http://www.examiner.co.uk/leisure-and-entertainment/wish-2012/2012/09/14/examiner-wish-2012-down-syndrome-group-for-parents-86081-31831005/2/#ixzz26RFI4Ian

♦ Thank you to Martin Shaw at the Huddersfield Examiner for the great write up.