World Down Syndrome Day | Noah

To mark World Down Syndrome Day, the Foundation is highlighting Noah, a participant of the youth disability programme.

World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The day serves to bring people together to advocate for the rights, inclusion, and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome.

Noah, eight, has been a participant of the youth disability sessions for around a year and his mum, Beth, has explained how much of an impact the sessions have had on him.

“It’s helped him so much with his confidence and to feel like he’s part of something,” she told the Foundation.

“His younger brother is part of a team and, before, he had to go and watch him, and he felt like he was excluded because there wasn’t anything for him. When we heard about this [the youth disability sessions], he came, and now he absolutely loves it.”

“It’s really important that these awareness days are highlighted just to make sure everybody involved in all of our provision and our programmes has the opportunity to shout about all of the good work they’re doing and the work they’re involved in,” Head of Participation & Development Callum Murphy added.

“We try to make everything we do inclusive and open to absolutely everybody. Football is a game for everybody.

“With everything we do from our youngest participants up to our oldest participants, it’s really important that they feel comfortable and welcome enough to be engaged in everything that we deliver.”

Our disability football sessions are designed to improve sporting and social skills, as well as self-esteem and confidence. Our inclusive sessions are delivered on a weekly basis and themed around all aspects of football.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact our Community Engagement Officer, Leanne Smith, at leanne.smith@itfc.co.uk.