
Rachael Ross MBE
@rachaelross21
Education, Chair Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association, Founding Officer at National Down Syndrome Policy Group APPGDS, BAFTA Accessibility & Inclusion Patron
ID: 1463075653922734080
23-11-2021 09:24:32
1,1K Tweet
614 Followers
551 Following

Our Advisory Group members ran a โWrite to your MPโ 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.



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 ๐ & 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 ๐


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 ๐ 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 ๐๐๐

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 ๐ฌ๐ง 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, theyโve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK. For Women Scotland, Iโm so proud to know you ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ๐๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ๐๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ๐ค๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ


Brighton Marathon โ Raising money for Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association ๐ and becoming a charity hero โ The biggest of congratulations and thanks to Jamie for completing an epic challenge and raising an incredible ยฃ748 ๐๐ป and his page is still open for further appreciation! justgiving.com/page/jamie-allโฆ


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.




Wonderful to meet University of Winchester BSc Social Work students this morning to explore Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association ๐ #DownSyndromeToday session, supporting individuals with Down Syndrome and families and the interface with #Law including the #DownSyndromeAct. #Downsyndrome #Charity #SocialWork




๐ฃMissed out on a Great South Run 10-mile spot? We've got you! ๐โโ๏ธ๐จPortsmouth DSA still has FREE places โ run for a cause & join this iconic event! Email: [email protected]๐โโ๏ธBut hurry โ once theyโre gone, theyโre gone! #GreenArmy #GSR2025


Today The Times warns UK House of Commons that voting for the Assisted Suicide Bill tomorrow would beโa fatal errorโ & this is โa bad Bill beyond repair. It needs to be killed off.โ 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

๐จ JOURNALIST Seeking case studies on the failings of SEND reform & proposal to scrap EHCPs in mainstream schools ๐ Looking to speak with: Families who struggled moving from mainstream to special school Families who struggled accessing special school ๐ง [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.