This workshop has been tailored to support people with Down’s Syndrome and their families to navigate toilet training. Join us to chat through practical methods and ideas and share your experiences with other parent/carers.
Event Details
Wednesday 21st January 2026
12pm – 1pm
Online via Zoom
When: Wednesday 4th February
Time: 7-8pm
We are delighted to be welcoming back Maggie Woodhouse, Optometrist and Senior Lecturer at the School of Optometry & Vision Sciences at Cardiff University. For almost 40 years, Maggie’s main interests have been visual development and the provision of eye care for people with learning disabilities, particularly children with Down’s syndrome.
Maggie’s research has changed practice in eye care and she has been awarded both an OBE and a Queen’s Anniversary Award. Maggie and her colleagues run a Special Assessment Clinic for people with disabilities.
At this session, Maggie will speak about her role, sharing her knowledge and expertise about visual development and eye care for children with Down’s syndrome and refer to research on this. Time will be given at the end for Maggie to answer any questions you may have.
When: Tuesday 27th January
Grab a cuppa and Zoom in with us and Emma Steel head of globally acclaimed reading scheme Every Cherry. These books have been designed for people with ASN and come with a range of key features making them more accessible to all. Come along to hear the benefits of teaching reading and how these innovative books can support the reader.
The ABC Team is excited to announce the return of Choir 21 face-face! We ran 3 summer Choir 21 sessions which were enthusiastically received by those who attended, so we are coming back with some winter sessions!
Who are these for?
Choir 21 face-face is for any Down’s Syndrome Scotland members aged 13+
Where will they be held?
The Glad Café, 1006 Pollokshaws Road, Shawlands, Glasgow, G41 2HG
When are sessions?
Mondays 24th November, 1st, 15th, 22nd December 4.30-6pm
What should I do next?
Click the book now button below reserve your place! We have a maximum of 15 people who can attend these sessions so sign up today to avoid disappointment! If you’re not sure and would like to chat about it first, please email Katy Lironi, our Makaton tutor who will be leading the sessions, at katy@dsscotland.org.uk
What happens at Choir 21 face-face sessions?
No singing or signing experience is needed. If you prefer just to sing and Makaton isn’t for you, that’s fine. If you prefer just to use Makaton and not sing, that’s ok too. We are happy for everyone to enjoy Choir 21 in the way that works best for them. If you want to attend with a support worker, sibling, friend or parent, just let us know.
We look forward to singing and signing with you in person very soon!
Come and celebrate all things Down’s syndrome with our new-style AGM. Our Board of Trustees, led by our new Chair, Andrea Tonner, would love you to join us online on Saturday 4th October 2025 from 1pm .
All the papers for the AGM can be found below including easy read versions of the agenda and AGM notice.
We hope you will be able to join us.
If you’d like to come please register here.
AGM Papers
Agenda and Calling Notice
Easy Read Agenda
Easy Read Notice
AGM Poster
Minutes of our last AGM (2024)
Annual Report 2024/2025
We are delighted that we can introduce some more in-person ABC Songs, Stories and Signs sessions for children aged 6-12 years (up to 12th birthday or older depending on communication stage)
Come along to our ABC Songs, Stories and Signs face-to-face event on Sunday 7th December at 11.00am in Seafield, West Lothian (session ends at 12noon).
Sessions take place at Cill Mhanach Wellness Studio, Redhouse Road, Seafield, West Lothian, EH47 7AL and will be hosted by June Flynn, ABC Tutor, from our Achieving Better Communication (ABC) team.
To attend this event please complete the form below. We will then email a reminder of the details of the event (usually a few days before from abc@dsscotland.org.uk).
Event information:
There is no additional cost for those who subscribe to our ABC programme as it includes monthly face-to-face sessions throughout the year. A £5.00 charge (per session) applies to families who aren’t signed up to the ABC Programme.
The sessions will take place once per month (usually last Sunday of the month) and will feature lots of familiar aspects of our ABC online sessions – songs, Makaton signs, stories and communication activities. Face-face sessions also provide a great opportunity for meeting other parents.
Face-to-face ABC Songs, Stories and Signs sessions will be in addition to weekly online ABC or ABC Anytime sessions, which will continue weekly throughout term time.
Each event can accommodate a maximum of 6 children plus a parent/carer and will be on a first come first served basis. Please book only one ticket per family.
Each event needs to be booked on an individual basis, but more than one session can be booked by each family.
Come along to our ABC Songs, Stories and Signs face-to-face event on Sunday 2nd November at 11.00am in Seafield, West Lothian (session ends at 12noon).
Come along to our ABC Songs, Stories and Signs face-to-face event on Sunday 5th October at 11.00am in Seafield, West Lothian (session ends at 12noon).
Come along to our ABC Songs, Stories and Signs face-to-face event on Sunday 14th September at 11.00am in Seafield, West Lothian (session ends at 12noon).
Please come along to our in-person ABC Next Steps session for adults aged 18 years and over on Sunday 7th December at 12.30pm in Seafield, West Lothian (session ends at 13.45pm).
ABC Next Steps provides a literacy and communication session for adults. You can expect lots of the same activities included in our online sessions – introductions, getting to know you, topic-based conversations and follow up literacy activities and games.
Face-face sessions also provide a great opportunity for adults to meet and continue their communication journey.
Face-to-face ABC Next Steps sessions will be in addition to weekly online ABC or ABC Anytime sessions, which will continue weekly throughout term time.
Each event can accommodate a maximum of 12 adults plus a parent/carer and will be on a first come first served basis. Please book only one ticket per family.