Our Vision

Giving our kids the best opportunities in Social and Life Skills!

our main focus is FRIENDSHIPS - for our children/young teens and for our families. Our activities include parents, siblings and friends. We love bringing people together !

Our Patron

Oliver Hellowell - Professional Landscape and Wildlife Photographer

Oliver Hellowell is a talented and award winning Landscape and Wildlife Photographer, who also happens to have Down Syndrome. Defying the particularly bleak predictions and future outlined for him by various professionals involved during his early years, Oliver has blasted them all out of the water and is a young man enjoying his best life. He has appeared live on BBC’s The One Show twice, been featured and filmed for BBC’s Countryfile, won the National Diversity Award for UK’s most positive Role Model for disability in 2015, and has published three books of his photography. He sells Prints, Greetings Cards, Calendars and Books all over the world from his website and has a particularly large following in the US as well as the UK. Oliver was proud to be asked to be Patron/Ambassador for SHINE21 and has decided he might need a new tuxedo suit and bow tie!

'We are so delighted to have Oliver as our Patron ! At Shine21 we are committed to including people who have Down's Syndrome in all aspects of our work. People with Down's Syndrome are at the heart of our Buddy Club and we thrive to support young people with Down's Syndrome fulfil their dreams. Here at Shine21 we are thrilled to support Oliver who will be directing his first film in Summer 2023!'

OUR TEAM

Liz Chilton

Chair/Voluntary Programme Lead/Signalong Tutor

Liz is originally from South Yorkshire but has lived in Sherborne Dorset for 13 years. Liz worked as a Registered General Adult Nurse for the NHS for over 20 years. Due to a back injury and surgery, Liz made the decision to retire from nursing. Liz has one daughter Clara born in 2011 and has Down Syndrome, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder. Clara was a pre natal diagnose and an IVF baby! Liz is passionate about inclusion ensuring society embraces and celebrates the abilities and contributions of individuals with Down Syndrome and other disabilities. Liz loves to be out and about with Clara.

Tara Gool

New Parent Contact/Voluntary Programme Lead/Educational Advisor

Tara was raised in West London and moved to Dorset with a young family 23 years ago. She had trained as a Veterinary Nurse but ventured into her own retail business just after relocating to Weymouth. Tara's two sons grew up in Dorset, her youngest son was diagnosed with Asbergers and ADHD at the age of 10 which led her down the SEN pathway, wanting to know more about and support her sons neurodiversity. Tara's youngest child, a daughter, was born in 2011 and diagnosed with Down Syndrome postnatally. The birth of Lillie changed Tara's direction in life dramatically, she went back to College, then University to study and achieve a Degree in Childhood Education and Care. Having worked at several nursery settings to gain experience, and successfully running a SEN Youth Club for 10 years, alongside another club specifically for young people with Down Syndrome. She also gained experience in the wider additional needs in her role as SEN Support Worker for Artz+.

From 2016 to 2023 Tara took a role with Dorset Families Matters as Family Link Worker, supporting families with complex needs, often working towards appropriate support for children within school settings and providing advocacy for parents struggling to navigate education and benefits. Tara thoroughly enjoyed this role and gained a vast amount of experience. Tara is extremely passionate about enriching lives through diversity and inclusion. Due to having orthopaedic medical surgery Feb 2024 Tara is now in recovery and with her love for animals enjoys volunteering at The Shire @ Crockermore Dorset, and Portland View Animal Sanctuary.

Our Vision

Giving our kids the best opportunities in Social and Life Skills! our main focus is FRIENDSHIPS - for our children/young teens and for our families. Our activities include parents, siblings and friends. We love bringing people together !