BLAST 2024!

Out of This World

BLAST! 2024 proved a truly creative event for DSNE, 25 adult members attended a weekend of workshops in art and dance.
This year the theme ‘Out of this World’ was inspired by our very special family within the charity.

There was a carousel of 4 art workshops. We painted T-shirts using some amazing stencils designed by local artist Phil Poxon. We made stars and moon mobiles, special anniversary photo frames and a super animation film.

The dancers led by Maria and Rosie from Tin Arts collectively choreographed their very own ‘Out of this world’ piece. They performed this to a very appreciative audience at the Gala Theatre in Durham as part of the annual Best Foot Forward show.

Throughout the BLAST! weekend a video was filmed and produced by Bryn Chaytor-Wilson to promote DSNE. For videos and photos please check out our Facebook page and share with your friends and family.

 

21st birthday celebrations Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show

Bill Midgley OBE, a huge supporter and Patron of DSNE, started our special event for us. Bill was at our first fashion show when we launched our charity 21 years ago.

Ray Spencer, MBE was our compere and kept us entertained with his unique sense of humour.

Matthew Atkinson and his
music teacher Andrew provided
some lovely music.

We had a fabulous tea, spot prizes, raffle, and a Golden Ticket.

We were also delighted to see work from the BLAST art workshop and watch their animation and video films.
We would like to thank Faye from Portobella, and Chris from Woven, who were so generous giving their time and help and lending us their fabulous
outfits. Thanks as well, to Paige and all the lovely stall holders and to everyone who kindly donated raffle prizes or gave their support to DSNE.

Our Volunteer Models… Well, what can we say?

Our models had such confidence, poise, and swagger, walking down the red carpet and wearing their outfits from Portobella and Woven.

Sports Taster Day

50 people of all ages joined us on July 14th at Wentworth Leisure Centre Hexham, for a fun filled session of a huge range of activities, planned and delivered by the amazing Ability to Play team.

Thank you to everyone involved in making the day such a success. Feedback from people was very positive and suggestions made for planning future sessions were greatly appreciated.

Councillor Jeff Watson spent a long time watching and chatting to our families and presented medals and certificates to all participants. With the generous support of Northumberland County Council , we were able to offer the event free of charge. Everyone involved is keen to build on this success and offer more events like this in the future and have even more people join us.

30+ Afternoon Tea

We had such a lovely time at our afternoon tea for members aged 30+ and their parents/carers that we’re planning another event on Sunday, September 15th, 12- 3.00 pm. The warm welcome and the fabulous food at the Travellers Rest, Slaley were amazing.

We had an afternoon of games, eating, chatting, dancing and fun. Next time it’s going to be lunch, Bingo and more music. More details coming soon.

After eating far too much delicious food, we danced the afternoon away to singing from the fabulous Jamie from the Baldy Holly Band.

Thank you Jamie for entertaining us.

Indoor Games

Indoor Games was very popular before Covid. We did a taster session in June and those that attended loved the games and activities. Parents enjoyed catching up and chatting.

We played curling, golf, and hockey. It was great fun.

We are hoping to hold monthly sessions from September at Whitehall Road Methodist Church, Gateshead.

Watch out for more information in the WOW and on Facebook.

Tees Barrage

What a fabulous day we had on 23rd June at Tees Barrage. 24 DSNE members met for a day of water sports. It was lovely to hold an activity for all ages and all family members. We spent the morning on the bell boats going up the river, then after a picnic lunch in the sun we had fun raft building and water games followed by a swim in the river. Thank you to the centre staff who were supportive of our group. Everyone was positive about our day on the water and are looking forward to returning.

Art Workshops, 16+

Our last art workshop was held in Sunderland on 18th May. 21 members met to take part in an art workshop led by Karen from Tiddly Painters. It was a lovely afternoon and the hall was bursting with friendship and creative work. I think you will agree the end canvases are stunning, vibrant and full of life.

Our next art workshops are on :
Saturday 14th June 2024 at 2pm and
Saturday 16th November at 2pm

at Seaburn Dene New Church in Sunderland.

£6 per person
If you would like to come along please contact Nicky.ramsay@dsne.org.uk

Upcoming Events...

A New Group for Babies and Toddlers

DSNE have a great opportunity to use the Special Lioness Sensory Room The Roaring Rainforest in Washington.

If there is enough interest in this group it could run on a monthly basis on the last Friday of every month.

A chance to meet other families and make new friends in an immersive play space.

Places are limited to 8
To book please email lesley.bond@dsne.org.uk

Bowling

We hold monthly bowling nights for those aged 18 plus. It is a great night, a very friendly group, lots of chat, lots of helping each other. We are not meeting in August but will meet again on 3rd September.
Email Linda.dixon@dsne.org.uk

Dukeshouse Activity Day, Hexham

Come and join us for a day of fun and adventure, including archery, high ropes, bush craft, 3G swing and more. 

4 activities plus lunch, £18 per person. Open to members aged 12 and over plus their families. Parents MUST stay to support. 

September 22nd 2024, 9 am until 4 pm.

If you would like to come along please contact Nicky.ramsay@dsne.org.uk

Marty Live In Lanchester

When?

Saturday September 7th 2024

6pm until 9pm

Where?

Lanchester Social Club
Lanchester, Durham DH7 0PF

Marty will be singing all of our favourite songs

A cold buffet will be provided by local Butcher

Hanley and Son’s

Raffle and spot prizes

Tickets available now

Email: melanie.atkinson@dsne.org.uk

PRICE Adults £10 Children (10 to 17 Years) £5

This is a family friendly event for ages 10 upwards,
all adults with Down’s syndrome must be
accompanied by a parent or carer.
Bring your friends and family along to join the fun.

Pilates Plus

Marie is continuing to provide much needed stretching and
toning with our Pilates Plus sessions at no cost to members.

Summer holiday Pilates on Zoom
Every Wednesday 4pm to 5pm
Weekly Saturday sessions resume
September 7th 11am to 12pm

We would love to have more people join us, you don’t have to
come into every session, dip in and out when you can.
email: melanie.atkinson@dsne.org.uk for details.

Two of our regular participants Alexandra and Matthew were
invited to make a Pilates video with Marie for another charity
‘Learn and Thrive’. They had a super day in York filming their

moves. You can view and join in for free at:
https://www.learnandthrive.org.uk/lfl-sign-up

Swimathon

It’s not too early to let us know you’d like to participate in this year’s Rotary Club of Durham Annual Charity Swimathon at Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre on Sunday November 3rd. We already have three teams signed up and as usual we’d like lots more.

Contact Ros Collinson
ros.collinson@dsne.org.uk to sign up or find out more.

Bowling for Under 18s

A New Social Bowling Group for under 18’s
Hollywood Bowl in Washington

Every month on the first Wednesday at 5:30pm
A great opportunity to meet new friends whilst having fun

£6.50 for two games

The next Group is Wednesday September 4th, 5:30pm

To book a place please email lesley.bond@dsne.org.uk

Ceilidh

Save the date  for our Ceilidh & Buffet, open to ages 10 to 80. Another event to celebrate 21 years of DSNE.

Saturday 19th October @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Regent Farm Road, Gosforth, NE3 3HD

Tickets £10 for person with Down syndrome.

£15 for parents/carers available from 1st September

Email Linda.dixon@dsne.org.uk or Melanie.atkinson@dsne.org.uk 

Fundraising News

Callie and Amelia, two primary school pupils in Durham, organised a fundraiser in their school at Ouston. They spent their pocket money on filling a jar with sweets and asking people to guess the amount for 50p. Staff and pupils at the school donated over £53.
Callie’s sister, Sophie, has Down’sSyndrome and also goes to the same school.

Exciting news for DSNE members aged 18+ on October 20th, 2024

We have been invited to create a fantastic dance and perform it on stage at the Customs House South Shields on Sunday, October 20th, 2024.

Every year the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust (CLTF), holds an annual show and invites some of the people they have sponsored to perform.

They have seen and sponsored some of our work before and love it. We will have spaces for 8 dancers to join us and work with TINArts dance teachers at their Durham dance studio.

The chosen dancers will work very hard from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday 12th October and Sunday 13th October to create a new dance.

They will then come to the Customs House in South Shields at 3 pm on Sunday October 20th to practice their dance and perform in a packed theatre of 400+ people. The show starts at 6 pm and our dancers will be brilliant as usual! They will look fantastic wearing specially designed T-shirts provided by us.

If you would like us to consider you for one of the ten places you must be able to attend both dates of the weekend in October and from 3 pm to approximately 9 pm on the day of the show Sunday, October 20th.

The total cost for each dancer is £20. If you would like to apply for a place please email ros.collinson@dsne.org.uk by August 23rd, 2024 at the latest telling us your name, age on October 20th, 2024, and telephone number.

Ros and Melanie will be with you as well as Tertia and Rosie from Tin Arts.

Exciting Opportunity to help Design Our New Logo!

As part of our exciting 21st-anniversary celebrations, we are looking to modernise our logo, and we want YOUR input to make it truly special.

We’d love for our members to come up with possible ideas for our new logo. Here are a few guidelines to get you started:

Main Colour: Green 

– Additional Colours: You can add up to two other colours to complement the green.

– Include: The initials “DSNE” should be part of the design.

Your creativity and personal touch can help us create a logo that reflects the spirit and community of Down’s Syndrome North East. Whether you’re a budding artist or just love to doodle, we welcome all ideas. Due to the number of members we have, please only submit one logo idea per family.

Please send your designs or ideas to contact@dsne.org.uk by 11th August 2024.

We can’t wait to see your wonderful contributions!