We are excited to announce a beautiful collaboration with one of our amazing Ups ‘n’ Downs parents, Diane, the talented creator behind the independent jewellery brand Dainty Rocks Jewellery. Together, we have designed a stunning Ups ‘n’ Downs personalised bracelet collection - the perfect heartfelt gift for someone you love.

25% of every sale goes directly to Ups ‘n’ Downs, helping us fund vital support for children and young people with Down syndrome and their families across Northamptonshire. Every bracelet purchased has a direct impact: from newborn welcome packs and family meet-ups to training, resources, and community events that bring so much joy and connection.

So this Christmas, why not shop small, support local talent, and give a gift that truly makes a difference? It’s a chance to share something beautiful while supporting the work we do every day.

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A call to our local business community

If you're a local maker, creator, or business owner and would like to collaborate with us, we would love to hear from you. Partnerships like this not only raise essential funds but also strengthen our community and shine a spotlight on incredible local talent.

You could support us by:

• Creating a limited-edition product where a percentage of proceeds goes to Ups ‘n’ Downs
• Offering a service, workshop, or experience for a charity raffle or event
• Becoming a corporate sponsor or choosing Ups ‘n’ Downs as your Charity of the Year
• Hosting a small fundraising initiative with your team or customers
• Providing expertise, space, or resources to help us run community activities

If you would like to get involved or explore an idea, please get in touch - we’d be delighted to collaborate and create something meaningful together.

Please contact Farah at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

One of the highlights in our Ups 'n' Downs calendar is our monthly family meet-up, held on the last Sunday of every month at Rushden Lakes. These get-togethers are a brilliant way for families to spend time together, catch up with friends, and make new connections in our community.

We always start the morning with breakfast baps, tea and coffee at the Boathouse, freshly prepared by our charity manager, Chris – thank you, Chris, for such a tasty start to the morning! Families then had plenty of time to sit together, chat and catch up, which is always such a valuable part of these sessions.

There’s plenty to enjoy for everyone, including:

• Picturesque walks and cycle paths to explore the beautiful surroundings.
• Free discount vouchers for children to use at the on-site activity centres, including 360 Play, Paradise Island mini-golf, and the Rock Up climbing wall.
• 5 hours free parking (or free transport if arranged with our team).

It’s all about creating a space where families can connect, support each other, and enjoy time together in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

We’d love to see you at our next meet-up – just pop along on the last Sunday of the month, from 10:00am to 11:00am at Rushden Lakes.

For more information, or if you’d like to get involved in supporting our events, contact Farah Cutter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Our October family meet-up was one to remember - a cosy, cake-and-craft-filled Halloween morning to round off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the best possible way.

If you’ve joined us before, you’ll know that these monthly gatherings aren’t just about the activities. They’re about families coming together - catching up, sharing stories, letting the children play freely, and enjoying time with people who truly understand. That sense of connection and belonging is right at the heart of what Ups 'n' Downs is all about.

This month’s meet-up was bursting with laughter, music, and fantastic costumes! The venue was filled with chatter, children enjoyed getting involved in the activities, and parents caught up over coffee. The smell of freshly cooked bacon baps and homemade cakes made everything feel extra cosy, wrapping the whole morning in that warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes our Ups 'n' Downs gatherings so special.

Organising events like these takes a lot of time and effort, and we’re so grateful to our amazing volunteers who make them happen with such enthusiasm and creativity. A special thank you to Philippa, one of our wonderful trustees, who not only baked a wonderful selection of treats but also ran the cookie-decorating station - a big hit with the children (and parents too!).

We’d also like to thank Nicky, who brought the fun with music, bubbles, and face painting, and Tracey from Treasured Creations, whose incredible balloon display became the star of the show, especially the floating pumpkin man, which everyone loved!

Thank you to everyone who joined us - we hope you had as much fun as we did.

We can’t wait to see you at the next one! 

Farah Cutter
Marketing Executive 

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There’s nothing quite like the sound of laughter echoing around a pool, and that’s exactly what we had at our recent Ups ‘n’ Downs swimming party. 

Our families had such a brilliant time playing, splashing, and swimming together. It was wonderful to see the children growing in confidence in the water while parents and carers enjoyed the chance to relax, chat, and share the fun.

After all that energy in the pool, we dried off and gathered for a delicious picnic tea. A special thank you goes to our Trustee, Philippa, for organising such a thoughtful spread – it really brought everyone together to round off the afternoon perfectly.

We’d also like to say a huge thank you to Waendel Leisure Centre for hosting us. Your support makes it possible for our families to enjoy these special moments, and we are truly grateful.

Events like these are at the heart of what we do – giving our members the chance to connect, make memories, and feel supported as part of a community.

 If you’d like to support future events like this or get involved with Ups ‘n’ Downs, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Farah Cutter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..