Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association

What Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association does

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association (Portsmouth DSA) is a UK registered charity (number 1147355), founded in 2010 and headquartered at Unit 1, Aspen House, Airport Service Road, Portsmouth. It provides specialist support to children and young people with Down syndrome and their families in Portsmouth, Hampshire and the wider south of England, operating from birth through to adulthood. The charity's core services include a Specialist School Advisory Service that supports successful inclusion in over 100 mainstream and special schools, nurseries and colleges; early development groups and communication therapy for school-age children; teenage social communication groups; a drama programme working towards Trinity College Arts Awards; and a New Parent Support Programme linked to NHS maternity units at point of diagnosis. It also delivers training for parents, educators, and NHS health professionals, and runs community events such as the Great South Run, HMS Warrior fundraising dinners, and seasonal parties.

The underlying service delivery is human-led and evidence-based, drawing on See and Learn materials from Down Syndrome Education International and Numicon equipment, delivered by qualified Speech and Language Therapists, specialist Education Advisors, and trained co-workers. There is no proprietary technology platform; the website (portsmouthdsa.org) and active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter function as community engagement and donation channels rather than service infrastructure. The charity is co-founder of the National Down Syndrome Policy Group and was honoured by Her Majesty The Queen with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service; founder Rachael Ross MBE received an MBE in 2019, and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh officially opened the new centre on 13 November 2024.

Portsmouth DSA operates as a self-funding non-profit with no parent company, equity ownership, or disclosed revenue. Income is generated entirely from individual donations (via JustGiving with Gift Aid), community event fundraising, and corporate sponsorships and partnerships, including a flagship £100,000 Persimmon Homes award (2019) and ongoing support from Warner Goodman Solicitors, Hampshire RFU, and HMS Queen Elizabeth's WO & SR Mess. Services are provided free of charge to families; no pricing is publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on NHS maternity unit referrals, school outreach, word-of-mouth, celebrity endorsements, and earned media coverage.

Name

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association

Legal name

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association

Website

https://portsmouthdsa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association is a UK registered charity providing specialist support, school advisory services, and therapy programmes for children and families affected by Down syndrome across Portsmouth, Hampshire and the south of England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charity and Disability Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJAKAC

Specialized Instruction & Resource Support (Inclusion, Pull-Out, Co-Teaching)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Special Education Services

SECONDARYHSAAAIAC

Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare

Home & Personal Services/Childcare, Babysitting & Nanny Services/Special Needs & Inclusive Childcare Services

SECONDARYEDAJAKAK

Family Advocacy, Parent Training & Support Services

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Special Education Services

SECONDARYEDAJALAK

Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Educational Support Services (Tutoring & Counseling)

SECONDARYHSAAAIAO

Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children

Home & Personal Services/Childcare, Babysitting & Nanny Services/Special Needs & Inclusive Childcare Services

Keywords

• Specialist disability support
• Educational inclusion services
• Down syndrome advocacy
• Family support charity
• Health professional training

Headquarters

HQ city

Portsmouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Fundraising: Self-funding charity dependent upon donations and fundraising activities from families, supporters, and the community. Donations accepted via JustGiving platform (with automatic Gift Aid claims), cheques, and alternative payment methods. Individuals can set up regular donations or one-time gifts.
2. Community Event Fundraising: Participation in sponsored events including the Great South Run (10-mile, 5K, mini & junior runs) where unlimited free charity places are offered in return for sponsorship. Individual supporters can set up personal JustGiving sponsorship pages.
3. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate sponsors like Warner Goodman Solicitors have sponsored DS Awareness Week celebrations for six consecutive years, contributing over £14,000. Persimmon Homes awarded £100,000 as winner of best UK educational charity vote. HMS Queen Elizabeth WO & SR Mess adopted the charity as their official Mess Charity.
4. New Centre Capital Campaign: Current fundraising campaign to establish a new centre facility, announced as part of the charity's expansion plans.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association provides specialist support services for children with Down syndrome and their families from birth through adulthood. The core offering centres on a School Advisory Service supporting successful inclusion in 100+ mainstream and special schools, complemented by early development groups, communication therapy groups, teenage social groups, drama programmes toward Trinity College Arts Awards, and training for parents, educators, and NHS professionals. All services are delivered free of charge to families and funded through donations and fundraising.

Product overview

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association operates as a single integrated service model providing specialist support for children and families from point of diagnosis through to adulthood. The core offering centres on the Specialist School Advisory Service supporting inclusion in over 100 mainstream schools, complemented by Early Development Groups, Communication Therapy Groups, and Teenage Social Communication Groups. Additional services include Training Programmes for parents, educators, and NHS professionals; Drama Sessions working towards Trinity College Arts Awards; New Parent Support with welcome packs; and Information Coffee Mornings with a lending library. The organisation also produces awareness content including the Innocence Film and The Big Screen Film, and runs fundraising initiatives such as the T21 Challenge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Specialist School Advisory Service Expert-led advisory service supporting successful inclusion of children with Down syndrome in mainstream schools, covering all aspects of education, development, assessment, RSE, and inclusion with regular visits and professional reports.
• New Parent Support Programme Comprehensive support for families from the point of diagnosis, including Parent Welcome Packs and ongoing liaison with parent and community teams.
• Training for Parents and Educators Termly evidence-based training sessions covering educational and social needs, delivered by UK experts with parents and school staff training alongside each other.
• Training for NHS Professionals Specialist training for midwives, nurses, paediatricians, GPs, portage workers and other health professionals to effectively support families and colleagues.
• Drama Sessions with Trinity College Arts Award Drama programme delivered by qualified senior drama teachers, working towards Trinity College Arts Award in conjunction with New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, improving confidence, spatial awareness, and communication skills.
• Information and Coffee Mornings Regular parent meetings for advice sharing and up-to-date information, with resource lending library access at the centre.
• Baby Development and Early Development Groups Structured early intervention groups for babies and pre-school children using See and Learn materials and Numicon equipment, covering phonics, speech, language, reading, motor skills and cognitive development in small groups of 2-4 children.
• Communication Therapy Groups Speech and Language Therapy groups for school-age children aged 4-11, focusing on interaction and communication skills with research-based interventional strategies.
• Teenage Social Communication Groups (SCGs) Specialised social groups for teenagers with active participation in session planning, developing speech, language, conversation, relationship and social skills, with monthly outings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully supports inclusion in 100+ schools and colleges
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 flagship, minor and core.

• HRH The Duke of EdinburghflagshipOthers · 13 November 2024VVIP visit on 13 November 2024 to officially open Portsmouth DSA HQ. HRH enjoyed comprehensive tour of facilities, participated in demonstration activities, and engaged with families, staff and volunteers. Provided statement endorsing the charity's work.
• Portsmouth Rugby ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPortsmouth Rugby Club supports Portsmouth DSA as a community partner.
• Hampshire RFUcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial charity partners with PDSA logo on senior mens team shirt and shorts in forthcoming matches. Rugby community unites to support Portsmouth DSA with thousands of colourful socks on display at county matches and local tournaments.
• HMS Queen Elizabeth (WO & SR Mess)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst civilian Warrant Officers & Senior Rates Mess Charity on board HMS Queen Elizabeth. WO & SR Mess supporting DS Week Awareness Campaign, raising funds from meat raffle and dinner proceeds.
• Warner Goodman SolicitorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored DS Awareness Week celebrations for six consecutive years. Held dress down day in Southampton office. Donated over £14,000 over 6 years. Featured families on their website.
• King Edward VI School, SouthamptoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung people's partnership programme where 18 students teamed up with Portsmouth DSA teenagers for Spooky Spectacular and SGC teenage events. Social initiative continuing through academic year culminating in activity week hosted by KES School in August.
• Portsmouth University Eye CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with university eye team creating bespoke service with longer flexible appointments, quiet surroundings, and expert advice from DS eye expert Maggie Woodhouse. Fully comprehensive service to suit specific needs of young people and older adults with DS.
• JazzAppleUKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGenerous donation towards events providing invaluable social opportunities for members.
• Rapid Relief TeamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated free food and refreshments for 500+ Portsmouth DSA team members during Great South Run event.
• HMS Warrior 1860coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric venue hosting annual fundraising dinners. 240 guests including Lord Mayor, Rear Admiral, and families dined on atmospheric lower gun deck. Venue for Black Tie Gala 2026.
• National Down Syndrome Policy GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of NDSPG. Works collaboratively to improve policy, provision, and outcomes for people with Down syndrome. Played key role in drafting Down Syndrome Bill and supporting its passage through Parliament and development of Act's statutory guidance.
• Down Syndrome Education InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUses See and Learn materials (DSEI) and Numicon equipment. Co-founder Rachael Ross previously served as Trustee for DSEI for over 5 years before co-founding Portsmouth DSA.
• The Music Man Project PortsmouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortsmouth regional teaching centre for national Music Education Service for people with learning disabilities. Run by Portsmouth DSA with support from Portsmouth Music Hub. Sessions for people with LD age 11+ featuring singing, signing, movement and percussion.
• RN HMS NelsonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted Halloween Party 2024 providing delicious hot supper and continued generosity to the charity.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Down's Syndrome Association: The UK's national Down syndrome charity, providing information, support, and advocacy for people with Down syndrome and their families. Directly comparable population and mission, but operates at national scale across all UK regions rather than a regional specialist inclusion model.
• Mencap: UK-wide charity supporting people with learning disabilities, including those with Down syndrome. Overlaps on family support, education inclusion, and policy advocacy, but operates at much larger scale across all learning disabilities rather than specialising in Down syndrome.
• Contact (formerly Contact a Family): National charity supporting families with disabled children, including Down syndrome. Comparable family support and advisory mission, but generalist across disability conditions rather than Down syndrome-specific.

Emerging players

• Down's Heart Group: UK charity supporting people with Down syndrome and associated heart conditions. Partial overlap with Portsmouth DSA's family support mission, particularly around health pathway and neonatal support.

Direct peers

• Positive about Down Syndrome: UK charity providing information and support to new parents of children with Down syndrome at the point of diagnosis. Directly overlaps with Portsmouth DSA's New Parent Support Programme and NHS maternity pathway work.
• Down Syndrome Education International: Research-led organisation publishing the See and Learn materials that Portsmouth DSA uses in its early development groups. The founder Rachael Ross previously served as a Trustee for over five years, evidencing deep operational and methodological overlap.

Regional players

• SNAP (Special Needs Adventure Playground): Essex-based charity providing play, leisure, and support services for children with disabilities including Down syndrome. Comparable children and family services and centre-based delivery model, but regional to Essex rather than Hampshire.
• KIDS: UK disability charity working with young disabled people including those with Down syndrome on inclusion, play, and education. Comparable inclusion and education support mission, with a portfolio-style national presence.
• Amaze: Brighton-based charity providing information, advice, and support to parent carers of children with SEND including Down syndrome. Comparable family advocacy and parent training model, but serves Sussex rather than Hampshire.

Others

• National Down Syndrome Policy Group: Coalition co-founded by Portsmouth DSA to advance the Down Syndrome Act. Comparable in advocacy and policy mission, but it is an umbrella coalition rather than a direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PortsmouthDSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/PortsmouthDSA
• Instagraminstagram.com/portsmouthdsa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/portsmouth-down-syndrome-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association