The Mayo branch of Down Syndrome Ireland was created in 1975 by parents of children with Down syndrome to create independence and inclusion of their children. As of May 2021 we have over 135 active members with our office being based in Castlebar.
Activities
- Drama
- Dance workshops
- Lámh
- Discos
Services
- Early Intervention Support
- Social & Recreational Activities
- Health & Well-being Programmes
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech & Language Therapy
- Swimming, Private Therapy Subsidies
Ongoing Activities & Programmes
- Baby/Toddler group
- Swimming lessons
- Drama classes
- Art classes
- First Aid courses
- Dance classes
- Lamh training
- Dramatherapy
- Cookery classes
Activities/Events We Offer
Regularly our office is used by our members for activities, seminars and education.
Over the last year, a sample of the classes that our members took part in include: drama, fitness, personal development course, cooking, swimming, art and movement, cycling, drumming, music sessions for the toddler group.
We offer our members subsidies towards the cost of a wide range of private therapies which can include speech therapy, physical therapy, play therapy, counselling.
Our social events are the summer outing and the Christmas party which caters to all age groups.
The highlight over the last year was the Art and Movement Group who hosted their very own Art Exhibition, an event which was covered by local newspapers and radio stations; leading it to be a huge success.
Our adult Drama Group also planned and put together a Fashion Show. There was a full house on the night with everybody agreeing that it was an absolutely resounding success. Alongside the Fashion Show, the Drama group also had their very own Drama Production at Christmas which was also packed to capacity.
Education and Talks
We provide training for parents/guardians, SNA’s and teacher’s who work alongside our members. The courses that we offer include: Lamh, Numicon and the See and Learn course. The See and Learn training is carried out by the Early Intervention Specialist for Down Syndrome Ireland, Silvia Segales-Angel.
For families we have offered seminars such as Bereavement and Loss, Sibling Workshops, See and Learn, Special Olympics and we hope to soon have seminars about Wills and Trusts, Behaviour and Sleeping, Transitioning to Secondary school and lots more.
