Hello Summer!

As the 2024-25 academic year draws to a close, we’d like to wish all our members and supporters a happy and enjoyable Summer. But first, a quick look back at what a busy year it’s been…

Our youngest members have had enormous fun at their their weekly DIGBIES sessions (we’ve run more than 90 sessions across the three groups!), with our Friday group graduating in style ready to make their mark at school in September! We’ve also offered new parents/carers and their babies the opportunity to meet and get to know each other (and PSDS) via our monthly coffee mornings, held alongside our Tuesday DIGBIES.

Support for children of school age has increased this year with the introduction in January of our social communication SaLT groups. The forty sessions delivered so far (EY-KS2) have proved a big hit with parents as well as their children. This exciting addition to our services has been made possible thanks to #NationalLottery players through a grant we received at the start of the year from the National Lottery Awards for All programme.

We’ve marvelled at the talent of our teens and young adults who’ve enjoyed showing off their moves at our new monthly dance workshops, expanding the services we already offer this age group (which also included a total of 80 sessions of our 5Club communication groups.)

We’ve continued to build on our School Support Services with 100 teaching staff from EY to KS4, attending training and networks sessions, from which we’ve had great feedback.

This year we also reintroduced information sessions for parents, with topics featuring an introduction to our communication groups (5Club and Primary) plus a dedicated session delivered by our schools advisor, Anne Bouet.

Needless to say PSDS social events throughout the year have been incredibly popular too – including our three Christmas Parties, a trip to the panto (120 tickets!) and, most recently, a Summer Sing-a-long with Singing Hands, attended by over 100 family members.

Aside from our own busy timetable, we’ve also hired out 42a for parties, meetings and more – with other exciting opportunities to explore, especially once our new look garden is finished.

None of the above would be possible without the support of our members and our funders – so a HUGE thank you to each and every one. Here’s to more friendships and fun during and after the Summer break!