A number of families living in the Surrey area have recently come together to form a support group for children with Down Syndrome and their families.

PSDS (Providing Support for children with Down Syndrome and their families) holds its meetings on the first Saturday of the month at Lloyd Hall in Outwood. The group is also pleased to announce that funding for its activities has just been received from the Local Network Fund for Children and Young People.

This funding, which runs from now until the end of December 2007, will enable the group to:

· buy initial play equipment and learning and development resources for their children with Down Syndrome and their siblings

· hire Lloyd Hall for its monthly meetings until the end of the year

· employ the services of a private speech and language therapist from August to December 2007

· start to build a library of reference materials for families and professionals involved in the care of children with Down Syndrome

· invite key speakers to inform the group on specific topics, and

· undertake some training for its member families covering a number of different aspects.

· to provide a stimulating and caring environment in which our children can have fun and develop self confidence

· to provide a network of support for the parents, siblings and the children with Down Syndrome at each step on their journey

· to ensure that our children with Down Syndrome receive maximum input in all key areas of development

· to assist and support families coming to terms with the news that their child has Down Syndrome

· to assist professionals in understanding the more practical issues which need to be addressed when assisting a family which has a child with Down Syndrome.

Speaking about PSDS, Vicky Brackett whose son Samuel was born in February last year says "When our children were born, we all felt that the support of other parents experiencing similar emotions was essential in helping us to learn about Down Syndrome and what that meant for our families. We formed the group to provide a forum in which to share those emotions and experiences. PSDS exists to help not only our children with Down Syndrome but also their brothers and sisters and other family members too."

The families involved in PSDS are committed to ensuring the best possible start for all their children. Vicky explains, “The only difference is that our children with Down Syndrome need a little more help in maximising their potential and growing into confident and independent adults.”

The group would welcome support or input from local businesses or individuals to enable it to continue providing a valuable and unique service for local families. New family members will also be made very welcome. The group is planning a Grandparents Picnic on 4th August so that the children’s grandparents can also meet each other.