World Down Syndrome Day 2023

The project brings together 20 young people with Down Syndrome in the borough for an opportunity to make friends, work on drama skills, make props and costumes and learn some new songs in signalong.

World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. All over the world, events are held to amplify the voices of people who have Down Syndrome, highlighting their vital role in our communities and calling for their full participation in anything that affects their lives.

“World Down Syndrome Day is a day where people throughout the world with Down Syndrome and their families come together to share their stories and just be seen and be visible and that’s what we’re doing today,” said Linda Hall, from Tower Hamlets Support for Learning Service.

“We’re creating stories for them to share with everybody. Hopefully they will and share it with their mainstream schools and they will share it with their families on performance day.

“This is the biggest numbers we’ve ever had,” said Linda. “We’ve got 20 young people who attend mainstream schools in Tower Hamlets attending today. Lots of our pupils are the only pupils with Down Syndrome in their mainstream schools, so it’s a fantastic opportunity for them to meet other people with Down Syndrome and make friends and put on a performance to share the joy of what they’re experiencing and tell their stories.”

Linda added: “The theme for this year is ‘With Us Not For Us’ and that’s why we’ve chosen Half Moon to create a performance with them to tell their stories and discuss what they want to say and I think that’s so important  that everybody gets a voice.

Watch the video below and find out more about our World Down Syndrome Day 2023 activities.

The Tower Hamlets Learning Advisory Service (formerly known as The Support for Learning Service) is a centrally funded service to support inclusion of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It consists of the Sensory Impairment Team, The Language, Literacy and Communication Team, Advisory teacher for ICT/SEND and two Advisory teachers for pupils with physical disabilities. The service works closely with schools and settings to raise attainment and promote better outcomes for pupils with SEND.