THE YOUTH club at Down Syndrome Ireland’s (DSI) Limerick branch is celebrating five years this year, and the organisation has set a dreamy theme for the year ahead.
The youth club offers a safe space for young people with Down syndrome to meet and engage in meaningful activities and develop essential life skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Over the past half decade, the club has encouraged members to take part in activities to build social skills, promote physical wellbeing, and embrace creative expression. Members regularly take part in activities including art, music, yoga, and first aid training and safety talks with local members of An Garda Síochána.
The club has set its theme for the year ahead as “Support Our Dreams”, saying that “everyone has the right to support and the right to dream big”.
A DSI Limerick representative said that the club “provides parents and guardians with peace of mind knowing that their children are in a safe and understanding environment where they can interact with others who share similar experiences”.
“The relationships that form within the club are not only fulfilling for the members, but they help break down barriers and challenge societal stereotypes,” the DSI spokesperson said.
Members of the club will be joining together on March 21 to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, and are encouraging schools, communities, and workplaces to take part in its ‘Losts of Socks’ initiative with the release of limited-edition socks to help raise vital funds for DSI.
