Our main focus is to enable our children and young people with Down Syndrome to thrive socially, and to have meaningful friendships.  Our emphasis is on activities that will encourage social skills to develop between young children and their families.  It is our aim to also include in our activities including siblings, grandparents and friends to provide a feeling of belonging to a community. We also work directly with families and professionals involved with the support and education of children and young people who have Down Syndrome, seeking to inspire a well balanced and informative understanding of what our children can achieve.

Since inception we have built up a community in Dorset with families who have children with Down Syndrome. This has created friendships, who regularly meet up for community activities and family activities.  This allows them to net work and develop friendships of their own whilst their children.   Our families consider Shine21 a valuable lifeline and we have had many individuals fundraising to support us.

We have seen our organisation expand greatly which has created an inclusive culture within Dorset and surrounding areas.  We encourage involvement from family members, friends and professionals, such as teaching assistants and sen support workers.   We think passionately about Shine21 as we believe a diverse support network can be accomplished. 

We have raised awareness to the community working diversely to open dialogue and promote creativity and problem solving within our families.   We are able to sign post to relevant services for individuals that need further support.  We have raised positive awareness of Down Syndrome showing our children and young adults with Down Syndrome can achieve and can live life to the full.

We have organised events working alongside projects and services to provide awareness of Down Syndrome .  We hold regular events and invite the local community to become involved.  For example we held a World Down Syndrome Day Party attended by 90 people, we raised awareness of Down Syndrome and linked with many people,  aim was to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day Awareness and bring our community together.