Stepping Stones DS

We were delighted to fund Stepping Stones DS with £5,000  for their ‘Bracknell Forest Education Outreach’ Project.

Stepping Stones DS is a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people with Down Syndrome in Berkshire, Hampshire, and Surrey. Their mission is to help these individuals thrive and transition into successful, fulfilling, and productive adulthoods. Stepping Stones DS offer a range of services designed to support educational achievement, enhance communication skills, improve physical mobility, encourage socialisation, and promote independence. These services include:

  • School outreach ensuring tailored support to help pupils reach their academic potential.
  • One-on-one support for families.
  • Specialist interventions to enhance cognition, memory and learning.
  • Sessions and activities to improve coordination and movement.
  • Training to develop social and communication skills.

 

Stepping Stones DS currently supports 160 young people with Down Syndrome, from birth to age 25, with approximately one new family joining each month.

The Bracknell Forest Education Outreach Program focused on outreach to mainstream and special needs schools, both primary and secondary, to elevate educational assistance for children and young people with Down Syndrome. Children born with Down syndrome often encounter challenges in school, including learning and mobility difficulties. Many suffer with reduced muscle tone, (hypotonia) which affects speech development, and therefore ability to participate in lessons and school activities. Despite common misconceptions, people with learning disabilities, including Down syndrome, can learn effectively given time and inclusive support. There is a specific learning profile associated with Down Syndrome, however this is frequently overlooked in training and development within education institutions, hence the need for this educational outreach programme.

Stepping Stones DS received their highest ever feedback ratings from parents across all services. Their Mainstream School Outreach received an average rating of 4.98 out of 5, while their Special School Outreach received an average rating of 4.74 out of 5. Although there were 13 direct beneficiaries in Berkshire, the program also significantly benefited school staff, families, and other pupils. Overall, this programme enabled greater social inclusion, understanding, and empathy within schools; it is estimated that for every child directly supported, another 10-15 people benefitted indirectly.

One of Stepping Stones DS’ advisors began working with B, who was in Year 7 at the time. B experienced significant sensory impairment and had additional medical needs. The advisor met with B’s teachers to understand how they were including him, his strengths, and his challenges. By observing the class, the advisor assessed the team’s practices and shared strategies to better support B. Subsequent visits showed that the staff effectively implemented these strategies, leading to significant improvement in B’s communication and social skills, building his confidence. In this supportive environment with skilled teaching, B was thriving, and his family were delighted.

The following year, the advisor returned to find B still happy and thriving, with everyone around him equally excited and relieved. Stepping Stones DS’ service played a pivotal role in the positive changes B experienced.

Donate now and support vital projects like this across Berkshire.

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If you would like to know more about how you can support causes like this, to change lives for the better in Berkshire, please get in touch.

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Need to get in touch?
📧 Email: info@berkshirecf.org
📞 Phone: 0118 945 0255

If you would like to know more about philanthropy in Berkshire please contact Rebecca.biggs@berkshirecf.org

If you are a wealth advisor interested in partnering with Berkshire Community Foundation please explore https://www.berkshirecf.org/professional-advisors/

If you need funding support, take a look at the grants we offer here: Available Funding

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