Our Advisory Group members ran a ‘Write to your MP’ workshop at our Summit last week. They want their MPs to step up and ask Stephen Kinnock Secretary for Department of Health and Social Care to issue robust Guidance for the #DownSyndromeAct2022. Three years is too long to wait. We deserve better.

MP frustration in Parliament over lack of ministerial & civil servant engagement on #DownSyndromeAct Guidance with concerns over broken commitments The Act arose because people with Down syndrome have been let down across Govt depts. Thanks Jack Rankin MP! youtu.be/SSdKbhS9cUM?si…

At the National Down Syndrome Policy Group Advisory Group UK Summit, members wrote to their MPs inviting them to join the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Down Syndrome. We have six new members recruited so far. Welcome to MP Paul Waugh MP who is our newest recruit! Damian Hinds @appgds

Great films & animations created @thisnewgrounduk Easter filmmaking workshop, in partnership with Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association 💚 & Into Film. Congrats to our teenagers who learnt new skills and Tracy Henson Discover Arts Award. Thank you for another successful #community partnership! Lucy Field 💚

National Down Syndrome Policy Group Cat Smith MP APPG for Down Syndrome East Lancashire DS Damian Hinds Graham Stuart MP Sarah Costerton Rachael Ross MBE Alice Osborne 💚 Angie Emrys-Jones Sharon & Nino Genua Lynn Murray PSDS Lancashire Labour DSRF_UK Jane Jessop GetOnDowns Great when MPs work with their local groups and use their voice to improve outcomes for all. Well done Cat Smith MP 👏👏👏

Delighted to welcome Cat Smith MP to the APPG for Down Syndrome team following an invitation from the North Lancs #DownSyndrome Group at our National Down Syndrome Policy Group UK Summit. Excited to collaborate to improve outcomes for individuals with DS. Damian Hinds Jack Rankin MP 🇬🇧 Graham Stuart MP Sarah Costerton

It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK. For Women Scotland, I’m so proud to know you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

🐣🌷 A Very Happy Easter to all our families and friends in the community! 🐰🌸We hope you all have a lovely day with loved ones, and enjoy the sunshine!💐✨

Brighton Marathon ✅ Raising money for Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association 💚 and becoming a charity hero ✅ The biggest of congratulations and thanks to Jamie for completing an epic challenge and raising an incredible £748 🙌🏻 and his page is still open for further appreciation! justgiving.com/page/jamie-all…

Great to have a productive catch-up today in Parliament with APPG for Down Syndrome Co-Chairs Damian Hinds MP & #AndrewCooper MP. A busy few months lie ahead as we prepare for the imminent draft #DownSyndromeAct draft guidance public consultation. More information to follow soon.

🎉 We had a blast at Portsmouth MMP tonight! We danced, we sang, we signed, we drummed – we kicked off with our new ‘getting to know you’ song, rocked a bit of retro with our Country Roads sign along, & we even shook it off to a bit of Taylor Swift! 💃🥁🎤✨

The team has delivered vital medical supplies to medics on the Ukrainian frontline who support both wounded soldiers and civilians in the area. 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇦

Wonderful to meet University of Winchester BSc Social Work students this morning to explore Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association 💚 #DownSyndromeToday session, supporting individuals with Down Syndrome and families and the interface with #Law including the #DownSyndromeAct. #Downsyndrome #Charity #SocialWork

Mobility scooters and wheelchairs delivered to wounded soldiers and disabled people in Vinnytsia! 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇦

MSPs must consider risks of assisted dying before today’s Scottish vote: “Dr Corcoran warned the legislation could be "stretched" to include people "viewed as having lives that are devalued through discriminatory attitudes" even if they are not nearing death.” DSRF_UK

📣Missed out on a Great South Run 10-mile spot? We've got you! 🏃‍♂️💨Portsmouth DSA still has FREE places – run for a cause & join this iconic event! Email: [email protected]🏃‍♀️But hurry – once they’re gone, they’re gone! #GreenArmy #GSR2025

Today The Times warns UK House of Commons that voting for the Assisted Suicide Bill tomorrow would be“a fatal error” & this is “a bad Bill beyond repair. It needs to be killed off.” UK Parliament has a duty to protect the vulnerable: care not kill Shabana Mahmood MP Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Before the vote today APPG for Down Syndrome co-chair Damian Hinds voices deep concerns over the assisted dying bill, warning of risks around coercion & capacity for people with #DownSyndrome & LD, & urging great caution. #AssistedDyingBill Nikki da Costa Rosa Monckton Jim Shannon MP Lord (David) Alton

🚨 JOURNALIST Seeking case studies on the failings of SEND reform & proposal to scrap EHCPs in mainstream schools 📌 Looking to speak with: Families who struggled moving from mainstream to special school Families who struggled accessing special school 📧 [email protected]

Disappointing that the #DownSyndromeAct guidance is yet further delayed, but this provides an additional opportunity for the Department of Health and Social Care to listen to ongoing concerns about the content & work productively with stakeholders to create robust & meaningful guidance, now long overdue.