JOIN People First Dorset in Speaking Up this World Down Syndrome Day with a celebration in Dorchester tomorrow.

The charity will be holding a community event, including a free lunch, at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester, from 11am- 2pm to mark World Down Syndrome Day. And as it’s also World Poetry Day, there’s bound to be a chance to let your creative side shine with a host of activities.

People First Dorset, a learning disability charity, is hosting the event to raise awareness and encourage people to discuss their experiences of Down Syndrome. This follows the charity’s successful Speaking Up project, which supports adults with learning disabilities to speak up and address issues they may be facing such as housing, bullying, money and relationships. The aim is to empower people with learning disabilities to become better self-advocates. People gain confidence and the skills needed to make and be included in decisions about their everyday lives.

Two of the Speaking Up members, Jack and James, who both have Down Syndrome, had the idea for the celebration. They wanted to get people with learning disabilities together from across Dorset and Somerset to join them and speak up about their experiences of Down Syndrome.

Jack and James, who are both strong self-advocates at People First Dorset, are passionate about sharing their positive experiences of living with Down Syndrome. They have been busy promoting the event and raising awareness of Down Syndrome by arranging to share their experiences through media interviews.

James said: “Living with Down Syndrome is not a problem for me, it maybe for other people without Down Syndrome, but I live a full and happy life.”

Speaking Up project worker and peer leader Chris said “Attending Speaking Up meetings has helped me to improve my communication skills and to become more confident. I would still be like a turtle in its shell if I hadn’t started coming to these groups. I now have a more friends and people I can talk to when I need support.”

The aim of the event is to inspire people with learning disabilities to become stronger self-advocates and to join, or set up, their own Speaking Up group in their area.

To attend the event, learn more or help People First Dorset to fundraise to support a Speaking Up group in your area, call Lisa Dixon, Speaking Up Project Manager on 01305 257600 or email office@peoplefirstdorset.org.uk.