Leeds Down Syndrome Support Network.
Small group sessions delivered by Independent Speech & Language Therapist Lauren Drake.
Please note these are not drop in sessions – if you are interested in a place in our Speech & Language groups please contact us.
Email: ailith@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk
Telephone: 07902 054355
See you on Wednesday
Our lovely 0-3’s group… time to chat & share a cuppa with other families. Singing & signing and toys & activities. Siblings welcome!
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat or meet up with someone before coming to the groups – telephone: 07902 054355 or email: hello@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk
We look forward to seeing you there!
An accessible, family friendly gig at Leeds’ best loved music venue!
Thanks to a grant from Leeds Inspired and support from HA!Music and the Brudenell Social Club, Made with Music have designed a Mini-Gig for the whole family to enjoy.
The gig will feature three contrasting acts performing a 20 minute set, introduced by a presenter who will tell you about the performers and the music. You will also be able to meet the musicians and have a go at some multi-sensory activities.
You can read more here: Made with Music Mini Gig
As if that wasn’t good enough… we are excited that Cafe 21 will be working alongside Made with Music at the gig with our pop up cake stall, selling delicious, fresh, homemade cakes to enjoy while you boogie long with the performances.
The pool has been hired for our exclusive use and everyone is welcome to come along for as long as you like – all ages and siblings welcome!
We have some individual 15 minute structured teaching lessons that you can now book in advance – please email ailith@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk if you would like to book a lesson with Sharon or Callum. The lessons will run throughout the session but everyone is free to swim in the rest of the pool for the whole session.
Please also help us to monitor attendance and the demand for the sessions by completing the register which will be on the poolside at each session.
Extra Information
Sunshine and Smiles Free Mini Movers Dance Sessions!
Our Mini Movers sessions are back by popular demand with earlier classes starting from 1130 am. We understood that families were wanting to attend these sessions earlier in the year but our original slots weren’t always at appropriate times, so we’ve moved them forward to enable more to join!
Information
Katie Aynsley, who runs the sessions, has four years’ experience of working with children, young people and adults with disabilities. She has worked towards becoming a freelance dance teacher where she has volunteered, assisted and taught various dance sessions within the community. She now works with local dance organisations Mesh Dance and Phoenix Dance theatre who provide dance within the community for children and young people with additional needs.
Structure of the session
The session is structured as follows:
Free play , circle time, hello song, name game, share a movement, warm up, travelling & musical statues, more free play, circle time with a theme, singing, movement/dance activity.
Short break
Movement / dance activity, relaxation, hammock swinging / Laying down, goodbye song.
About the sessions
Using an inclusive approach the Mini Movers Dance Sessions are created to encourage the children to explore their imagination and use their bodies through play and movement. Props, music and singing are used to promote a creative environment where the children can have fun and the sessions are made accessible to all.
Join us!
Mini Movers is a FREE session, so no need to pre book – just turn up and get ready to boogie!
Small group sessions delivered by Independent Speech & Language Therapist Lauren Drake.
Please note these are not drop in sessions – if you are interested in a place in our Speech & Language groups please contact us.
Email: ailith@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk
Telephone: 07902 054355
Thank you! See you on Saturday
For future dates, please see our Events Calendar.
Our Early Development Group for children aged 12 months to 2-years-old.
We will be using tools, resources & techniques from See & Learn, the Early Years Developmental Journal, The Portage Model and linking with our Speech & Language therapists to ensure consistency & continuity.
Our long term aim will be to eventually develop more groups to include all pre-school ages. If you would be interested in a place for your child in these groups please email ailith@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk or ring 07902 054355.
Extra Information
Sunshine and Smiles’ newest project 21 Co. has opened in the heart of Headingley, offering opportunities to young adults in Leeds who have Down Syndrome.
Catherine and Louise make a dream team!21 Co. Shop and Café opened its doors on Saturday 12 January, and will operate as a gallery and coffee shop for a minimum of 6 months, and potentially longer if successful.
Friends and family of the charity Sunshine and Smiles came to support us on our first day, and it was lovely to see so many locals pop in to try our homemade cakes and Cielo coffee.
Since our Café 21 pop up at Carousel in March last year we have been looking for a long-term venue to have our very own shop and more importantly; offer work experience and training opportunities to our young adults who have Down Syndrome. We are extremely excited for this next chapter, and we invite you to join us on this journey. Not only will this be a great hub for our families too, but an opportunity to raise funds for the charity also.
Ailith Harley-Roberts, service manager at Sunshine & Smiles said,
National statistics show that only 17 per cent of all adults with a learning disability are in paid employment. Clearly, it can be difficult for the young people we support to get the work experience and training they need to secure jobs.
Following our Café 21 pilot project we were determined to get something more long term off the ground! We will be aiming to meet the needs of young people with Down syndrome in the workplace and to create a long-term model where participants are treated like any other trainees and can access training and paid work.
Lorna and Lauren grinding the coffee
Francis and George always eager to help each other
Catherine making Lorna laugh again
We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped us make this happen. As well as giving opportunities to our young adults, you can also purchase products from independent local designers and makers, including; hand made jewellery, local painters, sculptors & ceramicists. There’s also a chance to grab the last few copies of our 2019 Sunshine and Smiles Calendar, which is now on sale!
We look forward to seeing you 🙂
Find us: 21 Co. Headingley Central, Otley Road, LS6 2UE
Opening Times
Thank you so much to Schroders Real Estate Investment Trust, Walker Morris LLP, Castlehouse Construction, local finance partnership Phoenix & Wolfe, The Wesleyan Foundation, Wade’s Charity, The Sir George Martin Trust, The Anton Yurgens Trust, St Chad’s Parish Fund, Cielo Coffee Roasters and local businessman Jonathan Morgan & his family.
For updates on 21 Co. why not follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
We are looking for parents & carers from Sunshine & Smiles to help again this year with the Chronic Illness and Disability Project as part of the teaching of first year medical students. The aim of this project is to enable students to learn by experience about illness or disability from the point of view of the affected person (or a parent or carer). Two students will visit each volunteer to ask about their experiences of the condition (or their experiences as a carer/parent), the type of contact they have with health services and how the illness or disability affects their lives and the lives of those close to them.
This visit can take place at home or wherever is most convenient for the parent or carers. The discussion will usually last about 1 hour and is a really valuable opportunity to raise awareness and share lived experience with the next generation of medical professionals!
If you could help please email ailith@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk with your name, address & telephone number.
The pool has been hired for our exclusive use and everyone is welcome to come along for as long as you like – all ages and siblings welcome!
We have some individual 15 minute structured teaching lessons that you can now book in advance – please email ailith@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk if you would like to book a lesson with Sharon or Callum. The lessons will run throughout the session but everyone is free to swim in the rest of the pool for the whole session.
Please also help us to monitor attendance and the demand for the sessions by completing the register which will be on the poolside at each session.
Extra Information