| Service Description: | 21 & Co is a parent run support group based around South West London and Surrey dedicated to giving support to families who have children and young people with Down's Syndrome.
Our members meet regularly to share their experiences and give each other advice, support and friendship. New members are always welcome. So whether you have just had a baby with Down's syndrome or are new to the area or have an older child, please come along to our next event or contact us using the website.
Stay & Play
We get together on the first Thursday of each month from 1.15pm - 2.45pm at Norbiton Children's Centre to socialise and share information. Open to all our families, the Stay & Play afternoons are a friendly and relaxed way to meet other members of 21&Co while the children play in a stimulating environment. The centre is well equipped with toys, dressing up clothes and crafts. It also has a fantastic sensory room and a well-stocked and secure outdoor playground. The children have lots of fun. New families are always welcome.
Pre-School Speech & Language classes
One of our most important services are our Communication groups for our preschool children. These are run on Wednesday and Friday mornings at the Langdon Down Centre in Teddington and cover the ages of 1-4. The children are grouped by age in no more than 5 per class and follow exercises designed by the respected speech and language therapy body 'Symbol UK', specifically for children with Down Syndrome. These early intervention methods cover early speech sounds, choosing, matching, letter and word recognition, speech clarity, categorising and sequencing. Parents or carers support their child throughout these classes. For more details please contact Tatty, tatty@21andco.org.uk
Social Communication and Interaction groups
21&Co also offer after school Communication groups which are designed to develop communication and social interaction skills. Our trained therapists work closely with the children and use interactive exercises and games to support and encourage the development of the children's communication, speech and peer relationships. There are 4 groups per week on a Tuesday afternoon also at the Langdon Down Centre covering children aged 4-8. While the children are in their groups learning new communication skills, turn taking and making new friends, the parents have the chance to spend time together over coffee, while games and music entertain the siblings.
Drama groups
From about 7–8 years children can join our Drama groups. These have been a huge success and aim to build on the skills they’ve developed in their social communication groups. But most importantly, they’re an opportunity to maintain friendships. The Drama group runs on a Tuesday evening at 5pm at the Langdon Down Centre. The group works on a variety of dramatic techniques from experimenting with play to improvising everyday situations. From time to time the children put on a short performance for family and friends to showcase what they have been learning. Throughout the term the children will participate in group, pair and solo work using their voice, body language and facial expressions creatively. The drama group aims to create a relaxed environment where the children can express themselves freely.
Youth Club
Our youth club is open to children from 11+ and takes place on the last Friday of each month at St James Parish Church Hall in Hampton Hill. We provide a vibrant social setting for our young people, where they can hang out with friends, enjoy a variety of activities, including discos, games, crafts and more.
Talks and Workshops
Every year we work with Down Syndrome Education International and the Down's Syndrome Association to run sessions on a wide range of subjects, all based on scientific and practical research. These information days are open to parents, carers and professional.
Past subjects have included:
Planning for social inclusion and positive social behaviour
Speech, language and literacy
Developing literacy and handwriting skills
Activities to develop memory skills
Developing materials to support learning
Professionals group discussion and sharing best practice
Social Events
Throughout the year we hold lots of social events to get everyone together, including family fun days, summer picnics, children's parties, pub quizzes, wine tastings and our fundraising ball which is held every 18 months.
Club 21
A monthly weekend club for all families within 21&Co with a dedicated theme to each weekend event for the kids to enjoy, such as karate, dancing and soft play. We have designed the events so that there is also a chance for the parents to meet each other over a cuppa while their children are occupied and supervised by 21&Co members of staff! Click on the Club 21 page for future dates or contact Ellie Martin, ellie@21andco.org.uk
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