123 Down Syndrome Kerry

THE Down Syndrome charity shop based at High St in Tralee is not just a retail outlet, it is a training ground and interactive space that is breaking down barriers for people with disabilities The shop sells second hand items, such as clothes, bric a brac plus ‘pre-loved’ books, and the shop also includes a coffee dock. With five staff, the volunteers at the shop work directly with the people who are supported by the project, and they see the difference it makes in people’s lives. Staff like to create a happy atmosphere. At the shop staff train and now also employ an adult with Down Syndrome, which is a primary focus of the enterprise. This enables broader society to mix with people they might not otherwise encounter; people with Down Syndrome. This interaction breaks down barriers and allows staff and customers to see the abilities in the people who train and work in the shop. The shop also provides people with other disabilities the opportunity to train and build up work experience that they otherwise would not have access to. This project is breaking down barriers and challenging people’s perception of what Down Syndrome is. It is giving people a chance to see similarities and ability, rather than differences and disability. It creates a sense of importance and belonging in the adults who train in the shop because the group believes in them. This is also true for the many who volunteer at the shop, many of whom also have additional needs. This is a community enterprise that is dedicated to giving to the community as much as they receive. This project aims to give people with Down Syndrome, and other disabilities, a chance to shine.