Coffee Mornings
We get together on the first Friday of each month at Norbiton Children's Centre to socialise and share information and stories. Open to family and friends, the coffee mornings are friendly and relaxed and are designed to get everyone involved so that the children can socialise and have fun with each other and their siblings. The centre is well equipped with toys, dressing up clothes and crafts. It also has a fantastic sensory room and a well-stocked and secure outdoor playground. The children have lots of fun whilst we catch up over a cuppa. New families are always welcome.
Social Communication and Interaction groups
One of our most important services is developing speech and language skills from an early age in children with Down syndrome. Our trained communication therapists work closely with the children and use proven methods to support and encourage the development of the children's communication, speech and language skills. The groups are for children aged 1 year to junior school age. We run up to 4 groups a week for pre-school children where we encourage imaginative play and social interaction. The sessions also help parents experience new ways to help advance their childs development and communication skills. The social interaction group for the over 4’s is run weekly. This is a great opportunity for them to socialise with other children, learn how to interact and communicate and how to understand and express their feelings.
Drama groups
From about 7 – 8 years children can join our Drama groups. These have been a huge success and aim to build on the skills they’ve developed in their social communication groups. But most importantly, they’re an opportunity to maintain friendships. The Drama groups run on a Monday evening at the Langdon Down Centre in Teddington. The first group is at 4.30 till 5.10pm and the second group runs from 5.15 till 5.55pm. Both groups work on a variety of Dramatic techniques from experimenting with play to improvising everyday situations. At the end of each term the children have the opportunity to showcase the techniques they have learnt. Throughout the term the children will participate in group, pair and solo work using their voice, body language and facial expressions creatively. The drama groups aim to create a relaxed environment where the children can express themselves freely.
Sibling Art group
Every Monday during term time, we run a group for the brothers and sisters of children with Down syndrome. It gives them the chance to chat to their peers about being a sibling to a child with Down syndrome if they want and to make new friends and have fun. The Sibling Art group provides a supportive and nurturing space in which the children can relax and take a break. The focus of the session is on encouraging the children’s expression of their thoughts, ideas and emotions though creative play. Attention is given to each child individually and to the group as a whole and involves drawing, painting and sculpture; through to craft based activities. Since the groups began, strong bonds of friendship and support have been formed between the children.
Youth Club
Our youth club is open to any children aged 11+ and is held on Saturday mornings for 4 hours. (further details to follow)
Talks and Workshops
Every year we work with Down Syndrome Education International to run sessions on a wide range of subjects, all based on scientific and practical experience. We hold the sessions locally and although we charge a small fee to cover refreshments, the courses are free of charge to parents, carers and professionals who have an interest.
Past subjects have included:
Social Events
Throughout the year we hold lots of social events to get everyone together, including family fun days, summer picnics, pottery evenings, Children's parties, pub evenings and our fundraising ball which is held every 18 months. Click on the social events page to find out more.
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