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Have you ever heard of Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP)? It is a scheme which protects the basic state pension of parents and carers who do not work or pay National Insurance.

You may get it automatically if you have a child under 16 and get Child Benefit, but it’s still worth double checking.

If you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who gets Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance at the middle or higher rate or Constant Attendance Allowance then you need to apply for HRP.

You can claim HRP by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus or downloading claim form CF111 .

For more information on any aspect of pensions the governments The Pension Service website is a mine of information and advice.

Posted by Rebecca Graceson in Activities

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In April 2007 Simon Beresford became the first person with Downs Syndrome to complete a marathon, and this year he beat his record and completed the London Marathon in only 5hr 44 mins!

Simon was unable to get a place this year, so ran on behalf of the Downs Syndrome Association and has raised over £7000. Show your support for this fantastic achievement and sponsor Simon now.

Well done, brilliant news - we’ll look out for you next year.

Posted by Rebecca Graceson in Events, Inspiration

A new survey has found that violence against under-10’s doubled between 2005 and 2006.

The Cardiff University study looked at A&E data from 29 hospitals. The rise in violence toward babies and children coincided with an overall reduction in violent injuries for the general population.

The NSPCC described the findings as ‘deeply worrying’ and said agencies needed to work better to identify children at risk.

Posted by Rebecca Graceson in News

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Charity Mencap are campaigning for the right of people with learning disabilities and their families to a good family life.

They make the point that families get very little support, and parents have to fight to access even this limited support.

Mencap want recognition for the brilliant job parents and carers do, and more support for parents with a disability to help them care for their children.

The aim is that support is there before families reach breaking point.

Posted by Rebecca Graceson in Activities, News

credit: Amy March

An 18 year old young man with Downs Syndrome and his family from Lanarkshire describe going ‘through hell’ after a recent accusation of assault, according to The Daily Record.

Jamie Bauld was charged with a racist assault after pushing away an Asian girl at his college. While the police that questioned Jamie told his dad Jim that the case would come to nothing, it took another seven and a half months for prosecutors to inform the family that the case had been dropped. During this time Jamie became terrified of being put in prison.

The family are highly critical of the prosecutors handling of the case not only due to the length of time it took to dismiss, but also a lack of communication.

Downs Syndrome Scotland have vowed to question Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill over the way people with learning difficulties are treated by the authorities, and lets hope someone sits up and takes notice of the terrible and unnecessary ordeal Jamie and his family have had to indure. As Jamie’s father has said: “The whole thing was a nonsense from start to finish”.

Posted by Rebecca Graceson in Activities