Volunteers to support children with Down Syndrome in a social group setting

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals (18+) to work closely with and support our Group Leaders and children/young people at our weekly groups for children and young people with Down Syndrome.

DS Achieve is a small Hertfordshire based charity. We work with families and professionals to enable children and young people with Down Syndrome to fulfil their potential. Our Young Achievers programme is a weekly (term-time only) social and develop mental activity group for school age children/young people with Down Syndrome.

The aim of the programme is to support children and young people with Down Syndrome to reach their potential through a programme that builds social skills and provides friendship, fun and positivity. The group provides the opportunity to participate in games and activities designed to help develop teamwork, social skills and other practical skills for life. It also offers the chance for participants to be active and to have improved wellbeing.

Children and young people with Down Syndrome often find it difficult to access social opportunities that are not tailored to meet their individual needs. Young Achievers provides them with a safe environment to develop the skills they need to thrive in their communities. Bringing children and teenagers with Down Syndrome together on a regular basis also helps them to develop positivity and confidence in who they are by providing them with the opportunity to build strong peer to peer friendships.

As a volunteer at Young Achievers, you will be allocated a child each week to act as their 'key person' for the session. The routine is the same each week to enable the young people to settle and in know what to expect. There are warm up games (such as football, role play, volleyball), circle time, the main activity, snack time and then some more games (duck duck goose is always a big hit). The main activity is tied into the curriculum for the term and could be anything from planting sunflowers seeds, to an Olympic themed obstacle course, to a visit from a Police officer, or themed crafts.