A HALESOWEN mother has set up a thriving support group for down syndrome children and their families after noticing the chronic lack of official support.

Jemma Sagar only started Ups and Downs last year but already over 30 families are in the group which has been backed by the Halesowen Town Committee.

Mrs Sagar, aged 33, decided a group was needed after having her son Harry who suffers with down syndrome.

She said: “I was shocked how little support there was for me and other families so I decided to set up Ups and Downs to offer support to the children, their siblings and parents.

“Since we started meeting the group has grown and grown and now includes families from across the West Midlands.”

She added: “I think just the fact that parents can offer each other advice and support makes a big difference to everyone involved and it helps that all have a lot of fun together too.

“We also encourage parents to share their experiences and advice on all manner of issues including feeding, sleeping, behaviour issues, speech delay, developmental worries and the statementing process.”

The group meet every second Saturday at St Peter’s Church, Lapal, and also organise days out and other social events.

Halesowen councillors overwhelmingly voted for Ups and Downs to receive a £4,595 community grant earlier this year which has been spent on sensory toys, equipment and will pay for days out in the summer.

Halesowen North Cllr Hilary Bills said: “What Jemma has done with Ups and Downs is amazing and I was delighted that all her good work could be supported with a community grant.

“To start a support group like Ups and Downs and to make it a success takes a lot of hard work and Jemma needs to be congratulated for helping so many local families.”

The group took part in World Down Syndrome Day last month and raised money through people being sponsored for wearing lots of socks.

For more information about Ups and Downs visit www.upsanddownswm.org.