Down's Syndrome Association

What Down's Syndrome Association does

The Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) is a UK-registered charity (Charity No. 1061474), founded in 1970 and headquartered at the Langdon Down Centre in Teddington, that supports people with Down's syndrome, their parents and carers, and the professionals who work with them across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its core services span the full life course, from antenatal and pregnancy support through to ageing and dementia, and include a free confidential helpline, an Our Voice self-advocacy network of hundreds of members, the WorkFit employment programme, DSActive (physical activity), DSEngage (community engagement), co-produced training (including Tell It Right for health professionals), speech and language assessments, a listening service, and research support delivered in partnership with academic institutions.

Operationally, the DSA runs sub-brands including WorkFit, DSActive, DSEngage, Our Voice, and the Tell It Right campaign, and distributes services via direct digital access, telephone helpline, online training, and a network of affiliated local support groups. No proprietary technology platform or product is at the centre of the offering; the role of technology is limited to digital marketing, online training delivery, and a website serving as the primary information hub.

The DSA is funded primarily through donations and fundraising activity, with diversified income from individual giving, lottery and challenge events, virtual fundraising, grants from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Active Inclusion Fund, and corporate support including the Hilton Global Foundation. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries. It pursues corporate partnerships through WorkFit with major employers (DHL, Amazon, Hilton, IKEA, GXO, Thomas Franks, Baxi, Hickory's Smokehouse, Nando's), and engages in civil society coalitions (Disability Benefits Consortium, Council for Disabled Children, Special Educational Consortium) alongside strategic collaborations with Down Syndrome International, Down's Syndrome Scotland, and the University of Cambridge CIDDRG.

Name

Down's Syndrome Association

Legal name

Down's Syndrome Association

Website

https://downs-syndrome.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Down's Syndrome Association is a UK-registered charity (No. 1061474), founded in 1970, that supports people with Down's syndrome, their families, and the professionals who work with them across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland through helpline, employment (WorkFit), self-advocacy, training, and policy advocacy services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Advocacy services
• Employment programmes
• Health professional training
• Charitable support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Teddington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The DSA relies on charitable donations from supporters, individual donors, and fundraising activities including challenges, lottery, runs, skydives, walks and treks, and virtual fundraising events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Down's Syndrome Association is a UK registered charity that delivers free, lifelong support services to people with Down's syndrome, their parents, carers, and the professionals who work with them. Its core offerings include a confidential helpline, the WorkFit employment programme, DSActive (physical activity), DSEngage (community engagement), the Our Voice self-advocacy network, training for health and education professionals, specialist assessments, research support, and policy advocacy including work related to the Down Syndrome Act 2022. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries.

Product overview

The Down's Syndrome Association offers a comprehensive suite of support services organized around core pillars: information and advocacy (helpline, publications, DSA Journal), employment support (WorkFit programme), health and wellbeing services (DSActive, DSEngage, training), research facilitation, and policy campaigning. The organization provides a network connecting people with Down's syndrome to resources across all life stages—from pregnancy through ageing—including dedicated services for education, employment, housing, and family carer support. The product portfolio includes both direct service offerings and awareness merchandise, with key programmes like WorkFit, DSActive, Our Voice self-advocacy network, and the Down Syndrome Act advocacy campaign forming the core identity of the organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WorkFit: The Down's Syndrome Association's employment programme that brings together employers and job-seekers who have Down's syndrome.
• DSActive
• DSEngage
• Our Voice
• Tell It Right

Products and services

• Helpline & Advocacy A free, confidential helpline staffed by trained professionals providing support and advocacy for people with Down's syndrome, parents, carers, and professionals.
• WorkFit The Down's Syndrome Association's employment programme that brings together employers and job-seekers who have Down's syndrome to facilitate meaningful, supported employment opportunities.
• DSActive Sports and physical activity programme enabling people with Down's syndrome to participate in regular exercise and fitness activities.
• DSEngage Engagement programme providing social activities and community involvement opportunities for people with Down's syndrome.
• Our Voice A network of hundreds of people who have Down's syndrome living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, enabling self-advocacy and direct representation in policy matters.
• Training & Support A wide range of co-produced training and support services for individuals at every stage of their lives, including Tell It Right training for health professionals.
• DSA Assessments Specialist speech and language therapy assessments and support for person-centred planning during transition to adulthood.
• Listening Service Emotional support service providing a listening ear for individuals and families affected by Down's syndrome.
• Research Support Facilitates research to benefit the lives of people with Down's syndrome and their families by co-producing projects, advising on development, finding participants, and disseminating findings.
• Tell It Right Campaign and training programme ensuring health professionals provide accurate, balanced information about Down's syndrome during antenatal care.
• Down Syndrome Act Advocacy Advocacy work related to the Down Syndrome Act 2022, engaging with government to develop guidance that reflects the varied needs of people with Down's syndrome.
• Information Resources Publications and resources covering health, education, pregnancy and baby support, and life journey topics for families and professionals.
• Merchandise Branded merchandise including #LotsOfSocks items supporting World Down Syndrome Day awareness.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple affiliated groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland providing local support networks
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Thomas FranksminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 March 2026Thomas Franks is a catering company that has partnered with the DSA's WorkFit employment programme to offer employment opportunities to people who have Down's syndrome. The partnership enables job seekers with Down's syndrome to access meaningful employment in the hospitality sector through WorkFit's supported employment service.
• DHLcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023DHL has partnered with WorkFit since 2023, successfully onboarding four candidates with Down's syndrome in various roles. The logistics company provides permanent paid employment supported by the WorkFit programme, demonstrating inclusive employment practices in the logistics sector.
• AmazoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon's Fulfilment Centre in Swindon has employed multiple WorkFit candidates with Down's syndrome. The partnership showcases success in inclusive employment within the logistics and fulfillment sector.
• HiltoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHilton has partnered with WorkFit to promote inclusive employment, participating in events such as 'A Meal to Change Minds' during Learning Disability Week 2025. The hospitality company supports employment for people with Down's syndrome.
• IKEAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIKEA has employed WorkFit candidates with Down's syndrome, providing retail employment opportunities in their stores.
• GXOcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGXO, a logistics company, partnered with WorkFit and was recognized at the BASE Awards 2024 for their commitment to inclusive employment.
• Down Syndrome International (DSi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DSA collaborates with Down Syndrome International on international advocacy, research projects including the UK-wide Inclusive Education project, and coordinates World Down Syndrome Day activities globally.
• Down's Syndrome ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DSA works with Down's Syndrome Scotland on the UK-wide research and advocacy project on Inclusive Education, collaborating on policy positions and research initiatives.
• IPSEAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPSEA (Independent Parental Special Education Advice) collaborates with DSA on SEND reform webinars, providing legal expertise on special educational needs and disability issues.
• Special Educational ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSA is an active member of the Special Educational Consortium, a rights-based organization focused on SEND policy advocacy.
• Council for Disabled ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSA participates in the Council for Disabled Children's SEND Information Organisations Group (SENDIOG), contributing to policy development on disability rights.
• Disability Benefits ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSA is an active member of the Disability Benefits Consortium, a coalition of over 50 organizations committed to working towards a fair benefit system.
• University of Cambridge (CIDDRG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSA supports the Cambridge Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Research Group (CIDDRG) Defeating Dementia in Down's syndrome (DiDS) research programme, facilitating participant recruitment and awareness raising.
• Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group UK & IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSA belongs to the steering group of the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group UK & Ireland, collaborating on health guidance and best practices for medical care.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Contact (for families with disabled children): UK charity supporting families of disabled children with advice, helpline, and peer support — overlapping DSA's parent/carer support role, though across all disabilities rather than Down's syndrome specifically.
• Learning Disability England: Membership organisation for people with learning disabilities and family carers in England — comparable self-advocacy and policy focus to Our Voice and DSA's campaigning work.
• Ambitious about Autism: UK charity focused on autism education, employment, and youth services — directly comparable specialist-disability model and overlapping programmes (education, employment, family support) on a different condition.
• Special Olympics Great Britain: UK arm of Special Olympics providing sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities — directly comparable to DSA's DSActive physical activity programme.

Broad incumbents

• Mencap: Mencap is the UK's largest learning disability charity, providing employment support, family advice, training, and advocacy that overlap with DSA's services — serving a broader intellectual disability population that includes people with Down's syndrome.
• Scope: Scope is a major UK disability charity providing employment support, family services, and policy advocacy — broader disability remit but overlapping service lines, particularly around employment and benefits advice.

Direct peers

• Down Syndrome International (DSi): Global Down's syndrome umbrella body that DSA is a member of, coordinating World Down Syndrome Day and international advocacy — directly comparable mission with international rather than national scope.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): US national Down's syndrome organisation delivering employment programmes, advocacy, resources, and community engagement — the closest international analogue to DSA in mission and programme mix.

Regional players

• Down's Heart Group: UK charity providing specialist support for children and adults with Down's syndrome and associated heart conditions — a niche peer addressing the cardiac-health intersection that is a major part of DSA's health content.
• Down's Syndrome Scotland: Scotland's national Down's syndrome charity, providing information, family support, training, and policy advocacy — directly comparable service model to DSA, just on a Scottish geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dsainfo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DownsSyndromeAssoUK
• Facebookfacebook.com/DownsSyndromeAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/down%27s-syndrome-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/downs_syndrome_association

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Down's Syndrome Association