Longford-Westmeath celebrate national leadership roles with Down Syndrome Ireland

Longford and Westmeath had reason to celebrate following last weekend’s Down Syndrome Ireland annual general meeting. Two well known members of the local branch were selected for national leadership roles that will see them advocate for people with Down Syndrome across Ireland.

Former Longford Westmeath branch chair Martina Kelly (Longford) was elected President of Down Syndrome Ireland at the AGM held at the Clayton Hotel, Leopardstown.

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Martina has been a tireless volunteer and advocate at branch level for many years, her election to the presidency is an enormous achievement for her personally and a source of pride for families and supporters in Longford.

Also from the branch, Fintan Bray (Westmeath) was ratified as Chair of Down Syndrome Ireland’s National Advisory Council (NAC).

Fintan, who has been active both locally and nationally in advocacy and civic life will now lead the NAC in its role of representing the opinions and lived experience of adults with Down syndrome and bringing those voices directly to the organisation’s Board and decision makers.

The NAC is a council of adults with Down Syndrome from across Ireland whose purpose is to ensure that the views and priorities of people with Down syndrome are central to Down Syndrome Ireland’s work.

The Council meets regularly, holds its own AGM and invites the Board to update them on organisational plans and initiatives. The NAC has been active in campaigning and advocacy on a range of public policy and practical issues including accessible transport, voting rights, employment, and education for people with Down syndrome.

In recent months, the NAC has also met with senior political figures to raise these issues directly.

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What this means locally Martina’s presidency and Fintan’s chairing of the NAC create a direct channel from Longford and Westmeath to the national leadership of Down Syndrome Ireland, strengthening the branch’s ability to influence services and supports that matter to families here and across the country from services, school and adult education support, to employment initiatives and community participation.

Martina and Fintan will both champion practical actions that improve lives, guided by the lived experience of people with Down Syndrome.