Affiliated Groups

If you were an affiliated group in the past and would like to affiliate again, please click the button below.

Affiliating with the Down’s Syndrome Association

What is affiliation?

It is a formal link between the Down’s Syndrome Association and local support groups (LSGs) that demonstrates a shared commitment to the wellbeing of people who have Down’s syndrome and their families.

The benefits to LSGs of affiliation

Our Affiliated Groups Network supports local groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in their roles working with individuals who have Down’s syndrome and their families.

The support is in the form of:

• Online and in person regional and national network meetings
• Expertise, information, advice and support on a range of issues including governance, fundraising, health, education, benefits, GDPR and safeguarding.
• Free membership of NCVO, NICVA and WCVA, irrespective of your group’s income.
• Trustee Indemnity, Employers Liability and Public Liability Insurance
• Regular newsletters and updates from the Down’s Syndrome Association covering national news, resources and policies affecting people with Down’s syndrome.
• Use of the Down’s Syndrome Association’s “affiliated to the” (and use the logo) on your group’s media and materials
• An Affiliated Groups page on the DSA’s website, which is a hub of resources and information.
• Affiliated groups also engage directly with the DSA to help inform planning, activities and national consultations.
• Being identified as an affiliated group on the DSA map of support groups on the DSA’s website.

We can also help and support trustees and staff with queries they have about running their group, information useful in supporting families, as well as tips and best practice for running a local support group. The wider network provides opportunities for peer support and promotes the sharing of skills, information, expertise and knowledge.

As a Group affiliated to the Down’s Syndrome Association you agree to the following:

• Pay an annual subscription which will run from May for 12 months.
• Provide all relevant risk assessments to the DSA at least 8 weeks in advance of events – failure to do so may mean DSA insurance cover is not valid.
• Support the DSA’s aim of improving the quality of life of people who have Down’s syndrome and promoting their right to be included on a full and equal basis with others.
• Provide a named contact for communications with the DSA and a named contact for new members/parents and update contact details when these change.
• Conduct your activities professionally and in line with all relevant laws and Charity Commission requirements including safeguarding and financial processes.
• Ensure, where applicable, that the Group’s constitution, charity number, finances and minutes of management meetings will be available on request.
• Promote to your members the benefits of membership of the Down’s Syndrome Association.
• You will contact the DSA (Affiliated Group Liaison Bernadette Brooks, or Services Director Gillian Bird) to discuss issues in relation to DSA services, affiliated group membership or activities of other affiliated groups.
• You do not defame the DSA, or other affiliated groups, on social media or other channels of communication.
• DSA information and resources must not be reproduced without permission.

The information that the DSA needs from Affiliated Groups is:

1. A contact name and details for correspondence
2. Group information to be published on the DSA website – contact number, email, website, social media info and brief description of the group.
3. For insurance purposes, the names and contacts of the group chair and secretary

What next?

If you decide you would like to apply for affiliation to the Down’s Syndrome Association, a board member of your group will need to complete this form, together with the relevant information detailed above. Once this information has been processed you will be contacted regarding your membership status.

The affiliation can be ended at any time by either party with cancellation conducted in writing between the Group Contact and the Down’s Syndrome Association.

If you have any questions about affiliating to the Down’s Syndrome Association, you can contact us at affiliations@downs-syndrome.org.uk.