Bookings for this event have now closed. Please email enquiries to ABC@dsscotland.org.uk.
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 1st June 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 8 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.
Please come along to our in-person ABC Next Steps session for adults aged 18 years and over on Sunday 1st June 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.
Bookings for this event have now closed as this session is fully booked. Please email enquiries to ABC@dsscotland.org.uk.
When: Thursday 5th June
Time: 7-9pm
Online via Zoom
The workshop is FREE for Down’s Syndrome Scotland family members. This session is for parents, carers, and family members to learn the basics of how to support the communication of their child with Down’s syndrome. The workshop offers a brief background to Makaton and why it is useful for people with Down’s syndrome. The practical part of the workshop introduces 20-30 key signs and explores how to use signs in sentences. There will be time for questions and answers at the end.
Choir 21 – Makaton Choir! Wednesday 28th May from 4.30-5.15pm
Our online Choir 21 song group is for anyone aged 10+ to join us to sing along to a mixture of pop songs and songs from favourite musicals and stage shows and learn some Makaton signs* too!
*These sessions will teach Makaton signs but don’t worry if you aren’t familiar with Makaton, or you use other sign-supported communication, you can still join in and have fun!
All members with Down’s syndrome aged 10+, siblings and family members welcome!
The Zoom details, along with any song lyrics and information for this session, will be emailed to attendees ahead of time or on the day to those booking on the day.
Important Information for Choir 21 Attendees
Our Choir 21 sessions will be filmed. This allows you to practise between sessions and those who missed a session won’t miss out!
Attendees who do not wish to be filmed can turn their cameras off prior to filming starting. The recording of each session will be emailed via secure Vimeo link to each attendee. This will be for your own personal use, cannot be downloaded and should not be shared.
If you can’t attend a session one week, please contact Katy directly at katy@dsscotland.org.uk and request a copy of the week’s recording instead.
Any recordings/photos from Choir 21 may also be used occasionally for promotion purposes on DSS social media and/or Hub 21. Please contact Katy if you do NOT consent to this.
Any other questions on Choir 21, please send to ABC@dsscotland.org.uk and we will be happy to respond.
Choir 21 – Makaton Choir! Wednesday 21st May from 4.30-5.15pm
Choir 21 – Makaton Choir! Wednesday 14th May from 4.30-5.15pm
Choir 21 – Makaton Choir! Wednesday 7th May from 4.30-5.15pm
Choir 21 – Makaton Choir! Wednesday 30th April from 4.30-5.15pm
When: Wednesday 7th May
Time: 7-8pm
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.
When: Tuesday 6th May
At this session we will be joined by Salena Begley, Partner Engagement Manager at Family Fund to learn about Take a Break Grants and how to apply.
Salena will also share information about the services and support available from Family Fund and answer any questions you may have.
Salena joined Family Fund full time in 2010 as Scotland and NE England Development Manager having previously worked as Independent Assessor. As Partner Engagement Manager, Salena promotes and develops the work of Family Fund in Scotland, focussing on public affairs, partnerships and family outcomes.
Take a Break is Scotland’s short breaks fund for carers of disabled children, young people and their families. Take a Break grants can be used for a break away, towards leisure activities or outings, sports equipment and much, much more.
At this session we will be joined by Jenny Purdie and Sophie Williamson from Gillespie Macandrew to talk about Wills and Trusts.
Jenny and Sophie are Solicitors in the Private Client team at Gillespie Macandrew. They advise individuals, families and trusts on a range of succession and tax matters. Their work involves the preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorney and administration of trusts and executries.
Date: Tuesday 20th October 2026
Attendance Mode: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free
The booking form will close one working day before the session; please contact us at info@dsscotland.org.uk if you’d like to make a short-notice booking.
When: Tuesday 15th April
At this session we will be joined by Gillian Hyams from Gillespie MacAndrew to talk about the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act and the importance of applying for Guardianship or Power of Attorney (POA) for people with Down’s syndrome from age 16.
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.