Graduation

Congratulations to the wonderful students from our Athboy class who graduated recently.

Aimee, Ann-Marie, Cara, Cathal, Deirdre, Dualta, Eileen, Eleanor, Emily,Fintan, Joan, Liam, Katie, Michelle, Monica, Teresa and Tomás graduated from a mixof four courses – Latch-On Literacy and Technology, MOTE My Opinion My Vote,Work Skills and Personal Development.

Athboy Graduation Class 2022

They were joined by proud families, friends, teachers and DSI branch and national representatives for a lovely celebration ceremony in the Darnley Lodge Hotel, Athboy.

The Athboy class started out in September 2016 with 10 students for a two-year Latch-On programme. After an enjoyable and worthwhile two years, and with 8 morestudents joining, the class continued to work through DSI’s adult education modules.With the programme extended due to Covid, all modules were completed in March2022.

The Louth Meath branch was delighted to have such a fantastic group of students. We look forward to seeing them move on, building on the skills and friendships that havebeen developed over the six years of the programme.

Funding Scheme for 2022

The members of the Down Syndrome Ireland Louth Meath Branch have agreed at the Branch AGM held on 18th May 2022, to provide a funding scheme for branch members to help cover the cost of therapies, and sports / recreational activities in 2022 that will be of benefit to our members with Down syndrome.
Please find attached the application form for the Funding Scheme for 2022 and also a copy of the Terms and Conditions of the Funding Scheme.  

Application

Members should submit completed application forms, accompanied by receipts and details of fundraising undertaken or details of committee duties carried out or details where you volunteered at Branch activities & events during the year to the Branch Administrator Brendan Stephenson before the end of January 2023 for therapies/activities that took place the previous year (ex. activities/therapies that took place in 2022, the application should be made between 1st January. – 31st January 2023.) 
The Treasurer (who is a volunteer) will endeavour to process applications before the end of February. (Applications submitted after 31st January will be processed the following year)

Please send forms to:

Brendan Stephenson
9 Ashdale,
Wheaton Hall,
Drogheda,
Co. Louth
A92 KDK8

Details of the Funding Scheme can be found on our Website https://dsilmb.ie/more/funding-scheme/

Pound the Pavements 2022

Down Syndrome Ireland Louth Meath Branch in association with Indaver and LMFM is holding a Fundraising Event called Pound the Pavements to raise vital funds for the Branch.

How to Register

Register for the event here on myrunresults on this link https://www.myrunresults.com/events/pound_the_pavements_for_down_syndrome_louth___meath_branch/4095/details

There is an option to donate further or to set up an iDonate page for the event to raise funds for the Branch.

When you register, there is also the chance to purchase optional merchandise for the event.

We are asking friends, family and members of the local communities across Louth and Meath to join us in our virtual summer event – Pound the Pavements – to help raise much needed funds for DSI’s Louth Meath Branch.

When is this happening?

Over 21 days from 1st – 21st (inclusive) June 2022

Who can take part?

We are inviting all family, friends – at home and overseas – as well as members of our local communities across Louth and Meath to take part in this virtual event.

Dress up in purple and green and help us create a sea of walkers and runners across every town, village and road in Louth and Meath to Pound the Pavements over 21 km for the local Louth Meath Branch.

How can you take part?

This is a virtual event. Walk or run – you decide. The activity and pace for this event is entirely up to you. The goal is simply to have fun and reach 21km over 21 days. How you do it is up to you!!

Why 21km over 3 weeks?

Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes. Babies with Down syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes, chromosome 21, hence the 21km.  Babies with Down Syndrome are born with 3 copies of chromosome 21 (rather than the usual two), hence the 3 weeks/ 21 days!

Cost of the event?

€10 for an individual

€20 for a family

There will also be an option to donate further when you register or an option to set up an iDonate page to raise funds.

We would love to hear about your progress.  Join us on our virtual challenge social media groups, connect with fellow participants, share your photos and stories on how you are progressing.

More about our branch:

Down Syndrome Ireland LouthMeath Branch provides support and information to over 350 families with a family member with Down syndrome in the counties of Louth & Meath. Down Syndrome Ireland LouthMeath Branch is run on a voluntary basis by parents of children with Down syndrome with the aid of a part time Administrator. DS Louth / Meath believes in supporting families to ensure the best quality of life possible for our members with Down syndrome. We work together, united in our aim to achieve respect, acceptance and equality within society for our members with Down syndrome.

The cost of running the Branch and managing the educational programmes, clubs and funding schemes per annum is in excess of €150,000, the vast majority of which is raised by parents of children with Down syndrome. 100% of funds raised directly benefit our members with Down syndrome. Without the generosity of the people of the Counties Louth and Meath these vital Programmes would have to be curtailed.

Please ensure that you comply fully with public health guidelines for the duration of this event.

Online Adult Learning Opportunities Spring 2021

Online Adult Learning Opportunities Spring 2021 from Louth and Meath Education and Training Board and Down Syndrome Louth Meath Branch.

ONLINE COOKERY CLASSES & ONLINE COMPUTER SKILLS CLASSES

The Cookery Classes start April 15th 2021.

The Computer Classes are starting soon.

To book places, please contact: Mike Egan by email mike@downsyndrome.ie or Phone 085.8618866.

Fun With Numbers

Fun with Numbers is a fun way of working with numbers through games and creative learning aids. It is a light-hearted way of learning basic number skills like counting, adding, and subtraction, incorporating concepts of division and multiplication. Fun with Numbers presents opportunities for using life skills like following a recipe using measurements and time, along with planning journeys and using money.

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We have set up the following age groupings however if your child’s age falls outside these categories we will still try to accommodate, it’s not too late to get in touch. 

There are 2 sessions per week on Mondays and Thursdays.

The times of the sessions are as follows:

Junior Group Ages  8-11. 2pm Mondays
Senior Group Ages 12 and up. 4pm Thursdays

The thought is that Deirdre will target older children on a Thursday and younger children on a Monday, however all children are welcome to participate in either or both sessions each week if you think the content is suitable.


Down Syndrome Louth Meath will cover the cost of the sessions, so there will be no cost to parents for those four weeks. We will review at the end of 4 weeks and will welcome your feedback.

The students will need some materials ahead of the sessions, but Deirdre will let you know ahead of time what will  be needed – it will all be inexpensive stuff that you may already have or can recycle around the house or will be able to get in the likes of Dealz. Deirdre will  also send links for printable materials, should any member not have access to a printer please contact us immediately when Deirdre posts links to printables  and we can arrange to have them posted to you.

We have set up a WhatsApp group for the groups, so that Deirdre can fill you in on what materials are needed and send you the Zoom ID and password.  Deirdre posts a video each week explaining about materials required.

Please contact Brendan on secretarydslm@gmail.com if you would like your child to take part with the following details.

Child Name:

Parents name:

Telephone number for WhatsApp Group:Child’s age:

Email Address:

  • If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.  

Early Intervention Home Teacher Programme


The Branch Early Intervention Home Teacher Programme has restarted after the Pandemic lockdown.


The Branch has developed a new Covid-19 Policy, Risk Assessment as well as Protocols for our Tutors and Families so that we could reopen safely.The relevant Protocols have been sent to our relevant families.


People with Down syndrome may be particularly vulnerable to complications of Covid-19 because of underlying conditions so we ask you to read through the protocols thoroughly and reflect on whether you are comfortable to continue with the service at this time.


We have made every effort to put the appropriate protections in place to ensure the safety of families and the EI Home Tutors. If you have any concerns or queries regarding the resumption of the EI Programme, or the policy & protocols, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to go through the details with you.


If you decide that you are not comfortable to go ahead with the home visits just yet, please contact us and let us know.


We understand that you may wish to temporarily suspend the visits for the moment and please be assured there is no penalty for doing this.


For families who decide to resume the home visits, we will be asking you to complete and sign the Resumption of Early Intervention Programme form confirming that you are happy to resume home visits and that you agree to abide by the protocol as outlined.


We have also developed a Personal Assessment Declaration Form to assist with contact tracing and this form must be completed before each home visit. The link to the form will be sent to you before your first visit to fill out online and you will simply repeat this exercise before each fortnightly visit.


We are closely following the latest reports in the media from NPHET & the Government and if there is any change, we will advise our families accordingly.


A big Thank You to our EI Home Teacher Coordinators Andrea McArdle, Ann Fallon and also Rebecca Smyth who worked very hard to get the service open again.

Christmas Party Invite

We have sent out our invitations for the Branch Christmas Parties by email. Enclosed were:

1.     Invitation to the Children’s Christmas Party (for 0 – 12 year olds) on Sunday, 15th December 2019RSVP by Saturday 7th December, and the invitation to the Christmas Party for Teenagers/Adults on Saturday 14th December 2018RSVP by Monday 9th December.  Members families of young teenagers can choose which is the most appropriate party for their teenager


2.     Membership Renewal Form 2020.  The membership fee this year is €20. Membership for children under 2 years of age is free.  Please ensure that you return the attached form with your membership, so that we have up to date information for all our families.  Families availing of any service or activity are required to have current membership.


The Louth Meath Branch send regular emails, at least 2 each month, so if you do not receive these emails please contact the secretary to update your contact details. 


Down Syndrome Ireland Christmas Cards are available from Committee Members and will also be available at the Branch Christmas Parties.


We wish to thank all committee members, officers and everyone who organised events or activities for the branch during the year – these are parents of people with Down Syndrome who give of their time, on a voluntary basis to improve the lives of people with Down Syndrome in counties Louth and Meath area

https://dsilmb.ie/event/childrens-christmas-party-for-0-12-year-olds

https://dsilmb.ie/event/christmas-outing-for-teenagers-young-adults-2/

https://dsilmb.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Down-Syndrome-Ireland-Membership-2020-1.pdf