Across Victoria there are a number of independent Down syndrome support groups made up of local community members and volunteers.
In February, DSV proudly hosted our first Community Connections Conference, welcoming 14 regional representatives from 8 locations across Victoria, including Warrnambool, Horsham, Geelong, Bendigo, Shepparton, Ballarat, Albury/Wodonga and Gippsland.
Participants attended a capacity-building workshop and networking activities aimed at supporting regional groups to identify strengths within their communities and strategies to encourage greater community involvement.
The conference highlighted the immense value of uniting our regional representatives. Their collaboration and connection not only strengthened our network but also cultivated a sense of unity and shared purpose. The open exchange of ideas and best practices proved invaluable, significantly contributing to the success of the weekend.
We look forward to hearing reports of regional groups enjoying days out, dinners and other events in the coming months, thanks to the enthusiasm of the conference participants. Please keep an eye out on your local Facebook pages on how to get involved.
We are excited to see the positive impact on our regional groups! Thank you to everyone who made this event a success.
To find out more about independent regional community groups, contact DSV’s Regional Coordinator Linda Jingwurth on lindaj@dsav.asn.au.
