Barratt David Wilson Homes awards £4,500 to three charities
Barratt David Wilson Homes South Wales awarded £1,500 each to Cure EB, Bowel Cancer UK and 21 Plus through its Community Fund, which supports organisations near its housing developments.
Richard Lawson, sales director at Barratt David Wilson Homes South Wales, said: "At Barratt, we are proud to support the communities where we build – not just through our homes but by supporting the people and causes that hold those communities together.
"Our Community Fund gives us the opportunity to help where it's needed most – whether that's by supporting children and families through times of difficult diagnosis or funding much-needed moments of joy and connection."
Since 2022, the fund has donated more than £2.5 million nationwide.
Cure EB supports research into treatments for Epidermolysis Bullosa, while Bowel Cancer UK raises awareness and funds research into bowel cancer.
21 Plus supports children and young people with Down's syndrome across south-east Wales.
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South Wales Argus
a day ago
- South Wales Argus
Barratt David Wilson Homes awards £4,500 to three charities
Barratt David Wilson Homes South Wales awarded £1,500 each to Cure EB, Bowel Cancer UK and 21 Plus through its Community Fund, which supports organisations near its housing developments. Richard Lawson, sales director at Barratt David Wilson Homes South Wales, said: "At Barratt, we are proud to support the communities where we build – not just through our homes but by supporting the people and causes that hold those communities together. "Our Community Fund gives us the opportunity to help where it's needed most – whether that's by supporting children and families through times of difficult diagnosis or funding much-needed moments of joy and connection." Since 2022, the fund has donated more than £2.5 million nationwide. Cure EB supports research into treatments for Epidermolysis Bullosa, while Bowel Cancer UK raises awareness and funds research into bowel cancer. 21 Plus supports children and young people with Down's syndrome across south-east Wales.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Inspirational North Lanarkshire garden takes shape at new home
The Down's Syndrome Scotland garden will be located at the Watch US Grow charity within Palacerigg Country Park, Cumbernauld. Work has started to give an award-winning garden from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show a permanent home in North Lanarkshire. The Down's Syndrome Scotland garden will be located at the Watch US Grow charity within Palacerigg Country Park, Cumbernauld. This has been funded by Project Giving Back, a unique grant-making charity that supports cause-driven gardens at RHS Chelsea, ensuring their legacy continues by relocating them to community sites across the UK. Watch US Grow supports young adults with Additional Support Needs with gardening and life skills, and they will be involved in recreating and then maintaining the garden, which will be open to the public from next year. Designed by Nick Burton and Duncan Hall of Burton Hall Garden Design, the garden takes visitors on a journey through the life of someone with Down's syndrome. It highlights their many unique qualities while also challenging visitors to appreciate and understand the barriers that people with Down's syndrome still face as they strive to live their best lives. It was inspired by Duncan's eight-year-old nephew, Liam, who has Down's syndrome and is supported by Down's Syndrome Scotland. The garden was awarded a Silver Gilt medal for small show garden and the People's Choice for Best Small Show Garden. North Lanarkshire Council Leader Jim Logue and Convener of the council's Environment and Climate Change Committee Councillor Helen Loughran visited the garden site to meet the team involved. 'The garden is truly inspirational, creating a picture of the qualities of people with Down's syndrome as well as the challenges and barriers they face on a daily basis,' Councillor Logue said. 'The young people from Watch US Grow will benefit hugely from being involved in planting and looking after the garden and we're proud to have the garden here at Palacerigg Country Park for visitors to enjoy for years to come. 'We also hope it raises awareness of and sparks discussion about the issues faced by people with disabilities in our communities.' The double award-winning garden will officially open in May 2026 when it will be in full bloom, recreating the stunning garden that was seen by the thousands of visitors to RHS Chelsea last month. 'For a charity like Watch Us Grow, who use gardening to educate and improve people's lives, there is no greater opportunity than this,' said Tom Harten, General Manager at Watch US Grow. 'The Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden will now become an integral part of Watch Us Grow and the work we do. It will be maintained by adults with Additional Support Needs, which will include Down's Syndrome but also Autism and a range of other learning disabilities. 'This is so great for so many including the two charities, Watch Us Grow and Down's Syndrome Scotland, and the garden designers but also for North Lanarkshire, Palacerigg Country Park, the local community and garden lovers all over Scotland who may like to visit. I would like to thank Down's Syndrome Scotland for recognising the work we do and choosing to partner with us to look after this amazing garden.' Eddie McConnell, who is the Chief Executive of Down's Syndrome Scotland and who lives locally in Cumbernauld, joined the Leader and the Convener in their recent visit to the garden at Watch US Grow. He said: 'We are thrilled to bring our Chelsea Garden to Palacerigg Country Park and to partner with Watch US Grow and North Lanarkshire Council who have been so supportive of our efforts to create this unique public space for everyone to enjoy.'
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
'I was told to terminate my pregnancy – my son is a happy and thriving model now'
'I was told to terminate my pregnancy – my son is a happy and thriving model now' Leanne Constable said she was given more information from medics about ending her pregnancy than what Down syndrome meant for her unborn baby Leanne Constable was 16 weeks pregnant when she was told there was a 95% chance her son would be born with Down's syndrome. In the weeks that followed the mum from Port Talbot said she was given more information from medics about terminating her pregnancy than the condition her unborn baby had. One consultant told her: "Babies with Down's are never healthy and you'll be lucky if he achieves much." This left Leanne, who already had three older children, so traumatised that she insisted it be written on her notes that she did not want to discuss aborting her baby. Four years on and Parker is a happy child in reception at mainstream school. He cannot talk yet, but took his first steps to cheers from friends and communicates through Makaton signing. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Leanne, 44, says her son with Down's syndrome has changed her outlook on life for the better. She was so shocked by the negative response of medics through her pregnancy that when Parker was one she signed him up for a modelling agency and charts his progress to 140,000 followers on Instagram to raise awareness rebuff "old fashioned" views. Leanne was 39 when she had Parker and already had three other children, now aged 18, 19 and 22, all of whom dote on their little brother. But she admits she and Parker's dad Stefan Rowe, were shocked at first. Parker aged four from Port Talbot, has Down's Syndrome and his mum Leanne Constable is raising awareness by charting his life on instagram and signing him up as a child model (Image: Leanne Constable ) Article continues below "I had a routine blood test when I was 16 weeks pregnant and they rang to tell me it showed a one in five chance my baby had Downs," recalls Leanne "The midwives rang to tell me at 6.30pm one evening. I was driving to get shopping when I took the call. I was shocked and distraught. I was driving with the speaker on and my daughters were in the car." The midwives had rung so late to see if Leanne could come in first thing next morning to do another, more accurate, blood test that could then be sent off that day. Leanne did that test and the following week the midwives rang telling her there was a 95% chance her baby had Down's syndrome and offering termination. "I had prepared myself for this but I was totally distraught. I didn't really know anything about Down's," said Leanne, "I had seen people with it but had no personal connection and had an outdated version of what it means. I was worried that people with Down's were institutionalised. "My biggest concern was that he would not have a good life and that he would be bullied. Termination never entered my head but on the same phone call they suggested termination. I felt awful. They wanted me to go and have an amniocentesis ( the prenatal check for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities) for to a definite answer. I said "there is no decision to be made. I am keeping my baby." Parker's cheeky smile (Image: Leanne Constable ) Leanne contacted charities to find out more about the condition saying she got "no help" with that from the NHS. "There is more help in terms of termination than keeping a baby with Down's. That feels wrong. I felt all the way through my pregnancy that the obstetricians always asked why I didn't have an amnio. I had to have it put in my note: "do not discuss termination." At 20 weeks pregnant Leanne said when she told an obstetrician she just wanted her baby to be healthy and happy the reply was: "Down syndrome children are never healthy." "Her question was why did you not have the amnio? I said "all I want is that our baby is healthy" and there are risks with the amnio. I was very upset and refused to see that obstetrician again. Leanne said midwives she saw were supportive "but generally the medics were really negative about me keeping my Down's Syndrome baby and it was an awful experience." Parker aged four from Port Talbot, has Down's Syndrome . He is pictured here with his mum Leanne Constable and dad Steffan Rowe and older sisters and brother Luke, 18, Lilly, 19 and Elle, 22. (Image: Leanne Constable ) A few days after Parker was born he was diagnosed also with Hirschsprung Disease which meant part of his large intestine does not have nerve was transferred to the Noah's Ark children's hospital in Cardiff aged three months where surgeons cut away part of his bowel. The operation was a success, although Parker has on going bowel issues, but Leanne and Parker's dad were delighted to bring their baby home him home. Leanne says she wants people to know that their her son has achieved, just more slowly. "Parker is the most loving little boy you'll ever meet. He has a cheeky little personality. He's funny and determined and doesn't give up. It makes your heart burst." He didn't walk until he was three and a half and does not speak yet but has started to make sounds. Both speech and walking aere delayed by low muscle tone which is part of Down syndrome. Leanne says "we get nothing on the NHS". Parker had physiotherapy in a block on the NHS which has not stopped and speech and language therapy also ended "after a few sessions". Now the little boy has free weekly speech and language sessions through Swansea based charity Hands Up for Down's. Parker aged four from Port Talbot, has Down's Syndrome with his mum Leanne Constable and dad Steffan Rowe (Image: Leanne Constable ) Parker loves watching football and tries to kick a ball. He also likes puzzles and Mr Tumble. His favourite foods are pizza and corned beef pasties and he enjoys school. "I worried so much about whether to send him to mainstream school but it's been great and our local primary has been so supportive." Parker started in reception last autumn and moves up to year one in September. Leanne said she wants to share her son's life and progress. "I first set up Parker's instagram as a way of sharing with family and friends. Then I decided that because I had had such a negative experience with doctors I wanted to show parents a real life of a person with Down's and the joy and love. I am not saying there are not hard days, but you can have that with any child. Having one less chromosome does not mean he is worth less. "He has done modelling and has done shoots for Primark and Sainsbury. He was one year old when he started modelling ad I did it to break boundaries. I wanted to show that different is beautiful. Parker is beautiful "He's made me a better person. A good life is about being with family and not just about what you can achieve.." National charity Down Syndrome UK (DSUK) said more children with Down syndrome than ever before are thriving in mainstream education. The charity said across the UK 65% of pupils with Down syndrome now attend mainstream schools. It's a huge increase from 30 years ago when just 37% did. "This is partly due to increased inclusion policies and legislation outlawing discrimination. But it's also because parents increasingly want their child to have a mainstream education at their local school of choice, backed by evidence that has shown that with the right support, children with Down syndrome can thrive there," the charity said. Leanne agrees: 'Being in a mainstream setting offers Parker vital opportunities for social connection, language development and real-world learning experiences that can't be replicated in a segregated environment. Inclusive education isn't about making children 'fit in' - it's about making sure every child belongs. And Parker deserves to belong." There are approximately 40,000 people with Down's syndrome in the UK, including 8,000 under 18s. DSUK has been developing services to provide ongoing support to educators and has an early years support programme. What is Down's syndrome? Down's syndrome, also known as Down's syndrome happens when a baby is born with an extra chromosome. This usually happens by chance, because of a change in the sperm or egg before the baby is born, the NHS website says. Article continues below "People with Down' syndrome will have some level of learning disability. This means they'll have a range of abilities. Some people will be more independent and do things like get a job. Other people might need more regular care."
