Welcome to the just giving page for

Candles - Down Syndrome Support Group.

We are a diverse group of parents based in Colchester and surrounding villages with experience of raising an extra special child with Down Syndrome.

Although people with Down syndrome all have a degree of learning disability, they have the same rights and needs as everyone else - our happy, energetic, loving and inquisitive children are proof of this!

However, each and every one of our families face challenges with accessing the most basic levels of support that our children are entitled to. For example, children with Down syndrome are all born with low muscle tone which can affect their swallowing, physical development and communication. Sadly, services to support children in these areas are often time-limited if offered at all, leaving our children hugely disadvantaged.

With your help we hope to fund ongoing long term services to families that will support and encourage their children such as:

* Speech and language therapy

* Physiotherapy

* Occupational therapy

* Makaton training

* sensory equipment

* Offer subsidised activities that help our children flourish including all sports, dancing and music.

We also think it’s very important to support the whole family including any siblings, so all of our groups are inclusive for everyone to access.

We offer a range of groups on weekends, every half term and summer holidays.

Sadly we still face a judgemental society often encountering discriminatory language and attitudes towards our community. Ranging from negative portrayals on prime time tv shows, to derogatory comments made by some Health Professionals who are paid to care for our children. All the way to being encouraged to terminate a Down syndrome pregnancy up until full term.

It is hard to believe in 2024 that this is still the case, but we feel passionate about educating people and raising standards so that those with Down syndrome are understood and treated as the valuable individuals that they are, who have the potential and opportunity to thrive alongside their peers.

Our children bring such joy to our lives and amaze us every day with their strength and resilience we want to do whatever we can to provide our wonderful children with the best possible life.

We are Candles. We light the way for parents, to support them with the knowledge they need from those that have been there, that get it, that have walked the same path, to ask questions, and to not fear challenges they may face.

We ask you kind people to donate whatever you can, even if it doesn't seem much. All the money raised will go directly to support families with Down syndrome in the local community!

Thank You for your support.