TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 1[st] April 2024 – 31[st] March 2025
ACHIEVEMENTS / OUTPUT
Special Delivery NI has produced and delivered 21 Post natal and Prenatal gift boxes to Hospitals throughout Northern Ireland during the financial year 01/04/24 – 31/03/25.
ABOUT SPECIAL DELIVERY NI
Postnatal boxes now include a book written by a young lady who has Down Syndrome ‘Ellie’, a personal letter from me along with gifts for mum and baby. These gifts have been chosen to provide positive, up to date information to parents and families when their baby receives a Down Syndrome diagnosis.
IMPACT AND BENEFIT
The feedback from parents has been extremely positive. They found the information relevant and helpful at a time in their lives when they faced an uncertain future for their baby and family.
Healthcare professionals have also appreciated the gift boxes. They reported parent feeling reassured and comforted by the message conveyed through the gift boxes. Many stated that Special Delivery NI provide much needed assistance to families facing a Down Syndrome diagnosis in Northern Ireland. I have also given information to Healthcare Trust on training sessions for maternity professionals regarding delivering a Down Syndrome diagnosis to parents. I hope they avail of these training services that can only improve maternity services in Northern Ireland.
DEVELOPMENTS
As of September 2022 Special Delivery NI produced and delivered Prenatal boxes with useful information for parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome and are continuing with the pregnancy. I have received emails from parents who are recipients of these boxes.
Special Deliver NI continues to work with Alternative Angles, Harmony Studio a charity which provides support to people with Learning Disabilities. Harmony Studio supply candles, soap and bath salts for the gift boxes. These items were made by adults with Learning Disabilities in Northern Ireland. We are delighted to have these beautiful items in Special Delivery NI gift boxes. Not only are they high quality gifts but it also reinforces the ethos of Special Deliver NI. It is my hope that new parents will also realise their child can grow up and fulfil their potential and lead full and happy lives.
FUNDRAISING
All our income was received from the Hospitals. It is hoped that all hospital will pay for the gift boxes in the future.