Mairi has worked with Parent to Parent since 2003 and as a parent of a child with physical and learning disability, she wants to support parents in their journey emotionally and practically.
Her role is an early years complex care co-ordinator and she supports all areas of additional need including complex and ASD.
She co-ordinates and chairs children’s planning meetings (Team around the child) from birth until they start nursery. She will support parents at clinics, therapy appointments and nursery/school meetings and has supported transitions to nursery countless times.
Event Details
Friday 13th March
1.00-2.00pm
Online via Zoom
This workshop has been created to allow you to explore what causes the behaviour of the person you care for that you find difficult to manage or hard to change. You will have the opportunity to analyse their behaviour, learn how to understand its function, and develop a support plan specific to them, which can be used to support their personal difficulties with communication and help you to teach them alternative and more appropriate behaviours to communicate and help to develop their confidence and self-esteem.
Tuesday 16th June
7.00-9.00pm
When: Tuesday 12th May
Time: 7-8pm
At this session we will be joined by Gillian Hyams from Gillespie MacAndrew to talk about Wills and Trusts.
Gillian is an Associate at Gillespie MacAndrew and advises clients and their families on a wide range of private client work. She is particularly interested in Adults with Incapacity law, and often advises clients on Powers of Attorney, Guardianships, and other issues around Adults with Incapacity Law.
This workshop will support you to teach your child basic numeracy principles, understand the relationship between language and numeracy, and learn how to create real everyday situations to help your child to realise the real purpose of numbers and, how these can be linked to developing their life skills which will help them gain greater independence and confidence in daily life situations.
Tuesday 28th April
This workshop will teach you the approach of “Teaching Reading to Teach Talking”, the effectiveness of using the “Whole Word Approach” and how you can use this to help your child to learn to read.
Wednesday 27th May
This workshop has been tailored specifically for parents and carers of children under 5 and will focus on learning and development from birth through the early years up to school age. We will discuss health and development, specific learning profile and professional early years support available, and also explore successful strategies that you can use to support your child’s everyday development and learning.
Tuesday 24th March
When: Thursday 5th March
Time: 12.30-1.30pm
At this session we will be joined by Isla Ross, Additional Support for Learning Service with City of Edinburgh Council for a ‘Ready Steady School’ session.
Isla helps support staff in mainstream schools who have pupils with additional support needs in their class. Isla is also a Signalong Tutor as well as a teacher in the Forest School for Care Experienced Young People.
At this starting school session Isla will chat about what to expect going into primary school and provide some practical ideas to parents/carers to help make that transition to Primary 1 a positive experience for the whole family.
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.
Wednesday 21st January 2026
12pm – 1pm
When: Wednesday 4th February
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 4 Choir 21 sessions which were enthusiastically received last year by those who attended, so we are coming back with much more 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?
Every Monday on the dates below 4.30pm – 6 pmMay – 18thJune – 1st
What should I do next?
Click the book now button below reserve your place! We have a maximum of 12 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