Generate Voices World Down Syndrome Day “Improve Our Support Systems”

On the 20th of March 2025, Generate Voices discussed World Down Syndrome Day and especially its theme for this year “Improve Our Support Systems”

Terry, one of the coordinators started by asking members who attended the forum: if a club could be more inclusive to autistic people or people with a learning disability, what club would you like to be more inclusive and why? Karen and other members said they would like to see more groups like Generate Voices and Malacai wanted to see more football clubs.

Terry asked the members if they knew anyone a family or friend with Down Syndrome. Some like Karen or Malachi went to school with classmates who had Down Syndrome, Terry even tried to raise awareness about Down Syndrome on behalf of one of his friends. Others attend Generate sessions and join daily activities with Generate members who have Down Syndrome.

They talked about Tommy Jessop, the TV presenter and famous actors and actresses who star on TV shows and movies, like Daniel Laurie who plays Reggie Jackson in Call the Midwife, Ricky Wittman who plays Bobby Phelps in the 1980’s TV show Airwolf Season 3 episode ‘A Child Shall Lead’

Terry and Tony encouraged the team to discuss what it means to have Down Syndrome and mentioned this year’s theme which is #ImproveOurSupportSystems for people living with Down Syndrome. Every year on March 21st, we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) —a global awareness day officially recognized by the United Nations to raise awareness and advocate for the recognition and respect of the rights of people with Down syndrome. This year the topic is on recognizing the urgent need to strengthen how we support people with Down syndrome.

Sean, Michelle, Tony, and Terry said they wanted to see more on day-to- day living and talked about the importance of using sensory rooms in disability sports clubs – even Harvey Price uses a sensory room where he lives! 

Members added ITV’s Get Britain Talking campaign: Britain Get Talking | Home or ITV News : The Latest Down Syndrome News 

A lot of information about Down Syndrome can also be found on the BBC website: Down’s syndrome – BBC News 

After everyone had their say on the topic a video was played out from BBC’s Newsround report showing what World Down Syndrome Day is all about:

Here are two videos that shows what World Down Syndrome Day was all about both from BBC’s Newsround one of them Terry showed the group during the forum

Video 1

Video 2

Terry and Tony spoke about the theme “Improve our Support Systems”

Sean said “Support systems need improving, the government assumes people with down syndrome are independent, not everyone is independent. More support workers are needed”

Michelle then said “People with Down Syndrome and complex needs could be trained to be self-advocates”

Malacai then added “Papers can be complicated, more Easy Read material”

Karen replied “They can get out more and do more fun activities, like what Generate does”

Terry and Tony went on to discuss the Down Syndrome Act 2022, to ensure that health, social care, education, and other local authority services (such as housing and youth offending) take account of the specific needs of people with Down syndrome. “It’s the government’s responsibility to follow this act”.

Thank you to those who attended for the World Down Syndrome Day session.