This afternoon I visited the fantastic Get On Down's group and PlayWise Learning group in Sutton Central Library for an afternoon of fun!
Playwise Learning CIC was established to support parents and carers of young disabled children through offering bespoke interventions either at home, in the community hub or in their learning setting.
Get On Down's is a weekly support group for families with young children with Down's Syndrome or with a prenatal diagnosis which focuses on sharing up to date information, support classes, external speakers and more. Local constituent Lucienne Cooper set up the group following the birth of her child and has grown the group from strength to strength ever since!
Last year, I spoke in an Adjournment Debate on Down's Syndrome to highlight the important work undertaken by Get On Down's which you can watch here and became an official Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Down's Syndrome earlier this year. As part of my membership of the APPG, I supported and co-sponsored Dr Liam Fox MP's Private Member's Bill to ensure that people with Down's Syndrome are better supported.
Lucienne spoke with me this afternoon about the Down's Syndrome Bill, which make provision about meeting the needs of people with Down's Syndrome, places a duty on local authorities to assess the likely social care needs and plan accordingly, and other provisions which would have substantial change for people with Down's Syndrome and their families.
I also had the chance to meet members of the Get On Down's group and their adorable little ones! It was lovely to chat over a coffee about what they would like to see change in Down Syndrome provision and I would especially like to thank volunteer Charlotte for such a warm welcome!
You can find out more information about Playwise Learning here and Get On Down's here.