Registered Charity No 1210506 – Downs and Special Friends

About Us

about-us

200+

Members since 2016

We Are Non-Profit Support Group based in Kirklees.

We are a Support Group for families with children with Down Syndrome, Autism, Cystic Fibrosis, Tourettes and other diagnosed or undiagnosed disabilities.

We support parents, siblings and their whole families from  Dewsbury, Batley, Heckmondwike, Huddersfield, Bradford and surrounding areas.

Founded in 2016, the group is run by parents and caregivers of people with Special Needs. A lot of the group's activities are focused on providing a support system, information, and fun activities for the whole family. We also promote social inclusion and raise awareness through a variety of activities.

What We do

We Promote, Socialise, Include, Run Parties, Day Trips, Educate and have lots of fun while doing all of the above.

Tackling Stigma

Raising Awareness is not enough. Breaking the barriers to ensure our children are offered the same rights as our other children. Same opportunity and equal rights ensure a secure and better future for our SPECIAL ONES. 

We are One

Each and every single member is our family member. We are large family with children who have various disabilities and special needs.

Click here to become our member for FREE. 

Be A Hero

We are always on the lookout for Heroes like yourself who can dedicate their time. Whether it's for Bag Pack at your local supermarket or fundraising by sky diving or running local races. 

Just A Little Help Can Make Their Hearts Happier. A Little Kindness Makes Tomorrow Meaningful.

Our History

  • 2016

    How it all began

    9 Parents and their Special Needs Child with a vision to improve the lives is all it took for Downs & Special Friends to be formed.

  • 2017

    How it grows

    Officially launched on the World Down Syndrome Day at Al-Hikmah Centre, Batley with over 400 guests. A day that is still rembered by the local community and businesses.

    John Middleton - actor from Emmerdale TV Programme was our chief guest of honour. 

    It put our stamp and secured our groups presence and future as people of Kirklees embraced our groups vision and the change we had dreamed of.

  • 2020

    Covid Period

    We had to put a full stop to all activities due to COVID. 

  • 2022

    Relaunched

    We are good at one thing and that is to be a family. 12th Jue 2022 saw us relaunch our group. With over 160 guests at PKWA Centre we all had plenty of fund and laughter. Our kids enjoyed not only funs and games, but enjoyed fruits, pizzas and chips.

    All we can say is watch the space as future is brighter for Downs and Special Friends and its members.

    We also launched our membership card at the relaunch.

  • 2023

    Growing in Numbers

    2023 saw DNSF cross over 200 Local Members.

  • 2024

    New Challenges

    We organised, funded and distributed 2 food voucher sessions. Started with Batley Baths campaign to use the centre as DNSF base and also for communities use.