March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. To create awareness and raise funds our children are taking on challenges for sponsership!

Shine 21 is a non profit local community group, covering Dorset and the South West region. We provide enriching opportunities for children and young people with Down Syndrome and SEND. Our main focus is on social skills and the development of friendships.

This includes parents and families, giving them a sense of belonging and community, due to lack of support locally.

We run monthly craft session for parents wellbeing and creativity and a monthly swim and play at Wyvern Academy hydrotherapy pool. The sessions provide a fun and safe space for our younger children to explore the water, gain confidence, and make friends with other children with similar needs to themselves.

During school holidays we run a full programme of activities, including age-relevant experiences and family days out. These range from animal therapy experiences, sports, performing arts, watersports , outdoor activities, and learning important life skills. We believe that our children and young people should have the best opportunity to develop friendship and lifeskills in a nurturing environment.

Our advisory service offers support to parents for educational and benefit needs. We will support parents through the EHCP process and in any educational difficulties they may face. We also provide a bespoke benefit service to maximise the chances of children being awarded the correct benefits. We advocate for the families to ensure that our children are given the best opportunities to thrive and learn appropriately.

We raise money through community events, sponsership and grants. All money raised goes towards new resources, continuing core running costs of regular swim and play sessions and parent craft groups and trips out for families.

Shine 21 is run solely by volunteers, a great team of parents and carers that give up their time to support our events.