Today is World Down Syndrome Day. We’re proud to shine a spotlight on colleague Ellie Cleasby, who is a dedicated advocate for people living with disabilities.

Ellie, 22, is National Care Group’s Makaton Champion. She was born with Down syndrome and a severe learning disability but hasn't let it stop her from living life as ‘Ellie’, and not ‘Ellie with a disability’.

The global network behind World Down Syndrome Day, Down Syndrome International says people with Down syndrome are denied the chance to work and earn their own money, are not allowed to make decisions about their own lives, and their voices are not heard.

World Down Syndrome Day 2024 is calling for people around the world to 'End the Stereotypes'. Ellie is a shining example of someone who is leading the way.

Rebecca Cleasby is Ellie’s mum. She said:

“We always knew from the day Ellie was born that she would follow a different path from the one expected. By being listened to, we’ve allowed her dreams to become a reality; just because she has a disability, this has never determined who she is. She works as Ellie. The person she’s meant to be.”

Ellie’s role at National Care Group

Ellie upskills colleagues by teaching them the Makaton language, a communication tool with speech, signs, and symbols used by people with learning disabilities.

Ellie is also part of our quality checkers team, based in the north east. These roles were introduced as a way to measure the quality of our services from those who experience the care and support themselves, giving unique insights into improvements. Each member participated in formal training to ensure they had the skills, knowledge, and real-life implementation needed for the position.

Ellie visits National Care Group's Abbeyvale Care Centre, near Hartlepool in Durham, with her dog, Ruby, once a week too. As a volunteer of the charity Wag and Co, a company that enables professionally assessed volunteers and their special dogs to safely befriend elderly dog lovers across the north east, she is helping to end loneliness.

Ellie’s choices in life

Outside of her roles at National Care Group, Ellie has taken up a vast range of extra-curricular and occupational activities.

Ellie has completed a mainstream floristry diploma and volunteers as a qualified florist in a local shop once a week. She swims for the northern region Special Olympics, coaches gymnastics to preschool children, and volunteers at a local community food bank.

In her spare time, Ellie enjoys spending time with family, inclusive biking, going out with friends to the pub, and attending a daycare club for people with learning disabilities.

Rebecca adds:

“Ellie lives such a busy, mainstream life, and that is a choice made by her. We regularly sit down with Ellie to review her busy schedule, always asking if there is anything she wants to change, or new she wants to try. It’s so important to let Ellie, and others with Down syndrome, live life their way. We may have to sometimes do it differently, but it is never impossible.”

We’re so proud of you, Ellie!

Karen Douglas, Head of Positive Behaviour Support and Practice Development, adds:

“Ellie is a remarkable person and it is a pleasure to have her working for us. She has great resilience and is a wonderful, caring person. Colleagues value her Makaton knowledge and the people we support love weekly visits from her and Ruby the dog. She is a perfect example of what inclusion means.”