As a unique and user led organisation embedded in the local community, we support and empower children and young people with Down syndrome from birth to adulthood, to lead full, meaningful and productive lives and to help the reach their full potential, ensuring they take and enjoy their rightful place in community. Placing each our members are at the heart of everything we do, we foster a culture of inclusion with an holistic approach to addressing their educational, social, personal development and emotional needs, aspirations and goals.
Meet The Team
Foyle Down Syndrome Trust was established in 1995 by local parents who believed that more could and should be done to support, nurture and empower children with Down syndrome.
From a small office based in the Waterside our determined Board of Directors consisting of parents, local health and education professionals and inspired by the work of Professor Sue Buckley Downs Ed Ltd, Portsmouth, sought to secure funding to plan and deliver a One to One Home Based Education Programme. This innovative and groundbreaking programme was endorsed by BBC Children in Need and The Big Lottery who provided the necessary funding to get it off the ground. This programme has been our greatest achievement to date and has remained a core element of our service delivery.
With the further successful securing of grant aid coupled with herculean fundraising efforts by the friends and families of Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, we have been able to secure new premises, increase our membership, enhance our service delivery, improve our facilities and most importantly further enrich the lives of our children and young people.
Impact Stories
"As a family we would be lost without Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, the support they have provided for our son and our family has been incredible. They have given us hope and aspirations and opened a new world to our son"
"When my daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome we didn't know what to expect or what was ahead of us, we contacted Foyle Down Syndrome Trust and that all changed. The staff were so welcoming and couldn't do enough to help us. It has been amazing for our daughter to make new friends and learn new skills. For us meeting other parents was very helpful and we have created friends for life."
Our Funders
