Hayley at Downs Side Up

Downs Side Up blogger. Author, counsellor, speaker, Mum. @LoveYouNatty book. #TedX #modelNatty #LipWarrior

[Special Needs Jungle @SpcialNdsJungle]

Over 57,000 signatures. Amazing work! Just 24 days to get the petition to save SEND rights to 100,000. If you’ve already signed will you take up the high five challenge and put up 5 posters in your community? It’s a great way of raising awareness.

https://t.co/Y7TmHZK2J7

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

Don't forget to vote... there's still time to vote in the People's Choice Award for our My Perspective competition! 📷

Please help us pick out this year's child and adult winners. Voting closes at 5pm on 28 August.

Head over to our website to vote: https://t.co/ZVjZZn3FBD

#MyPerspective #MyPerspective2026

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

My Perspective 2026 is now open! 🥳📷

We have exciting new categories this year:
• Portrait
• Food
• Seasons
• Yellow
• Music
• Sport

My Perspective is a global photography competition for people who have Down’s syndrome. It is a competition for everyone and is really easy to enter!

Take photos using:
⭐A phone
⭐An I-Pad
⭐A camera

Visit our website and find out more: https://t.co/ZVjZZn3FBD

#MyPerspective #MyPerspective2026 @DSiupdate

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

Happy World Down Syndrome Day from all of us at the Down's Syndrome Association! 💚

We hope you have a great time celebrating, however you're spending your day! Make sure to wear your #LotsOfSocks and badges to show your support for #WDSD!

The theme for World Down Syndrome Day 2026 is 'Together Against Loneliness' - let us know in the comments how you are championing 'togetherness' this week.

Remember to tag us in all of your posts today. We'd also love to see your photos/videos of what you get up today/throughout Awareness Week - please send them to [email protected] if you're happy for them to be used on our social platforms.

#TogetherAgainstLoneliness #WDSD26 #WorldDownSyndromeDay

[Hayley at Downs Side Up @DownsSideUp]

Special Lip Warrior duo in stock for #ValentinesDay Luscious Choc Orange and Rose flavours. Same incredible healing and protecting power.

#drylips #crackedlips #downssyndrome #Downsyndrome

[Hayley at Downs Side Up @DownsSideUp]

Go Natty! Signing ‘Christmas card’ for the @MakatonCharity advent calendar ⭐️

[The Makaton Charity @MakatonCharity]

13 sleeps to go! 🎄 Today we have Natty signing Christmas Card.
#CountdownToChristmas #Makaton #Advent

[Hayley at Downs Side Up @DownsSideUp]

@MakatonCharity Go Natty 🤶

[Hayley at Downs Side Up @DownsSideUp]

🙌🏻 @OfficialAitch

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

A huge well done to Aitch, who has made us all so proud 🌟

What an incredible journey. Aitch brought kindness, humour and so much heart into the jungle, and the whole country has been able to see the generosity of spirit we have known for years.

As our Patron, Aitch has supported the DSA with an energy that is impossible to miss. He has taken on huge personal challenges to raise funds for our work and to champion people who have Down’s syndrome. His dedication behind the scenes is just as powerful as anything shown on screen.

Tonight is not about the final result. It is about celebrating the person he is, the positivity he spreads and the difference he continues to make.

Thank you Aitch. The entire DSA community is so proud of you. 💚🌟

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

🌟 A huge thank you to Aitch, an incredible Patron, fundraiser and friend to the DSA 🌟

So many people are seeing what we have always known. Aitch is one of the kindest and most genuine people out there. His time on I’m A Celebrity has shown the world exactly who he is, and he has been that person to us for years.

Aitch has been an integral part of Team21, going above and beyond to raise funds and awareness for people who have Down’s syndrome. He has thrown himself out of a plane for us, taken on the huge challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro and constantly uses his platform to champion inclusion and positivity. 💚

Everything he does, he does with heart. His generosity, courage and support have made a real difference to our community, and we are so proud to have him in the DSA family!

Now it is our turn.

Aitch has been such a big part of Team21, so now we all get to be part of Team Aitch. Let us get behind him and vote for him to win: https://t.co/1S4Kx0264L ⭐

Thank you Aitch for everything you do. You are a star, on screen and off. 💚

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

DSEngage and Singing Hands are getting ready to celebrate Christmas! 🎄

Join us for two fantastic Christmas online sessions on Sunday 7 December:

DSEngage Singing Hands Christmas Sing-Along 2025 10:30am to 11:30am. Join DSEngage and Suzanne from Singing Hands for a fun hour of Christmas Sing-Along singing and sign.

DSEngage Singing Hands Christmas Pop Party 2025 2pm to 3pm.
Join DSEngage and Suzanne from Singing Hands for lots of fun singing and signing to your favourite Christmas pop songs.

All ages are very welcome to join us at one or both sessions!

*Only children and adults who have Down’s syndrome can be registered onto DSEngage sessions.*

We can't wait to see all our DSEngage friends, new and old to start our Christmas celebrations.

Link to book Christmas Sing-Along: https://t.co/PIhJEyOQZc

Link to book Christmas Pop Party: https://t.co/I6kv6QpIz6

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

There's only two days to go until the BILD - (The British Institute of Learning Disabilities) #GrowingOlderWithLearningDisabilities webinar on 26 November at 12.30pm.

Please make sure to book on if you haven't already, and would like to attend.

The DSA's Services Manager, Julian Hallett, and the author of our award-winning Dementia Workbook, Dr Karen Dodd, will be speaking.

We will be exploring how a freely accessible workbook can support people through the journey of a dementia diagnosis.

Click the link to register: https://t.co/Rogu0Uy009

[Hayley at Downs Side Up @DownsSideUp]

Life with Down’s Syndrome | Conversations with Dr Theo Blackmore #28 w/ ... https://t.co/Pe0yjvAYiH via @YouTube

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

In support of Anti-Bullying Week, here is another resource for teachers, staff in education settings and parents about the importance of forming bonds and meaningful friendships in the classroom. 💚

Head to our website to read more on this topic: https://t.co/SujtaAHs4D

#AntiBullyingWeek

[Hayley at Downs Side Up @DownsSideUp]

🙌🏻

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

We're so excited to hear that our wonderful patron Harrison (Aitch) Armstrong is heading into the jungle! 🥾

All of us at the DSA are wishing you the best of luck and we're looking forward to watching you on our screens! 🪱

Will the Kili King become King of the Jungle...? 👑

#ImACeleb #Aitch #DSA #DownsSyndromeAssociation

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

The final report for the Curriculum and Assessment Review was published today.

Whilst there are some positive aspects, including a recommendation for the Government to publish evidence-led guidance on curriculum and assessment adaptations for children and young people with SEND, as well as recommendations to increase diversity and representation within the curriculum, the Down’s Syndrome Association would have liked to see a move away from the attainment ‘gap’ narrative and we would have liked to see more recommendations for improving post-16 education for learners at Level 1 and entry level.

Read this blog post for more information: https://t.co/1rMLxp2Fch

[Hayley at Downs Side Up @DownsSideUp]

So amazing to meet SEN legend Joanna last night!

[Joanna Grace PhD @jo3grace]

Last night I took my son and his friend to see the incredible @Rambertdance at @HallforCornwall It was packed, but low and behold directly behind us was @DownsSideUp We were comparing notes about surviving half term, my son made a comment about taking photos and I said I

[Hayley at Downs Side Up @DownsSideUp]

The role of the LD nurse: Natty’s blood test story: @NursingTimes @gmcuk @SpcialNdsJungle @NurseStandard @LearningDisEng @SharonAxby @SammyJaneLD

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

Today (1 November) is National Learning Disability Nurses' Day. This is the annual day to celebrate learning disability nurses and to raise the profile of their profession. 🧑‍⚕️

As part of Learning Disability Nurses’ Day, our External Relations Officer, Hayley Newman, and her daughter Natty, shared their story of how she overcame her fear of blood tests with the support of a learning disability nurse.

You can read the blog here: https://t.co/WEbFDtePLT

#LearningDisabilityNursesDay

[Hayley at Downs Side Up @DownsSideUp]

Read Natty’s experiences of having a blood test in adult services. Sharing this important experience to celebrate Learning Disability Nurses’ Day.

@WeLDnurses @SteveHardyLDN @NHSAbility @PCConf @pauljebb1 @JonathanBeebee @PaulaMc007

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

Today (1 November) is National Learning Disability Nurses' Day. This is the annual day to celebrate learning disability nurses and to raise the profile of their profession. 🧑‍⚕️

As part of Learning Disability Nurses’ Day, our External Relations Officer, Hayley Newman, and her daughter Natty, shared their story of how she overcame her fear of blood tests with the support of a learning disability nurse.

You can read the blog here: https://t.co/WEbFDtePLT

#LearningDisabilityNursesDay

[Down's Syndrome Association @DSAInfo]

Andy Merriman is a long-term supporter, former Trustee and current ambassador of the Down’s Syndrome Association. He is the author of 20 books, including A Minor Adjustment and A Major Adjustment about his daughter, Sarah, who has Down's syndrome.

Ghostlike is a comic thriller, blending pathos and humour, in which Marcel, a teenager who has Down’s syndrome plays a key role. 📖

The DSA has reviewed the book over on our website. Click here to read the Ghostlike review: https://t.co/Ug7Qwomtzm

@AndyMerriman1

[Hayley at Downs Side Up @DownsSideUp]

We need to let you in on a magical secret... the @DSAInfo, @Unique_charity @TurnerSupport, and the International Elf Service have joined forces to create the Roots of Fantastical Matters: Extra Magical Humans edition newspaper! Grab your copy today @DSAInfo 🔮