We also heard from Keia Blake, Education, Training and Employment Coordinator, who was the DS Eagles’ singing teacher and made an idea a reality in rehearsals; and Tony Mullen, Senior Programmes Manager for Employment, who highlights the challenges people with Down’s Syndrome can face when seeking employment. He speaks on the important role employers can play in creating supportive opportunities by making small adjustments in the workplace.
The first year of DS GAME ON saw 15 participants try out roles in cooking, t-shirt design, caring, barista training and music, proving that given the opportunity, people with Down’s Syndrome can thrive in the workplace. However, barriers like prejudice, limited opportunities, and low expectations still persist.
Palace for Life hope Glad All Over will raise awareness, challenge outdated assumptions, and generate funds to support its employment programmes for young people across south London.
The DS Eagles, who are all passionate Palace fans, are part of a wider community supported by Palace for Life, the club’s official charity. Palace for Life, which works with over 16,000 young people each year, running programmes that boost employment prospects, build confidence, and create new opportunities, alongside initiatives focused on mental and physical health, crime prevention, and mentoring.
Click here to donate or find out more about the campaign.
