A dedicated group which provides vital speech and communication therapy sessions for Down's Syndrome children in Bedfordshire has carried off the top prize in the 2007 Griffin Awards.

The awards, now in their eighth year, are funded by car giant General Motors to support and recognise community project across the county.

And judges decided that the largest grant to be awarded, £10,000, would go to the Bedfordshire Down's Syndrome Support Group to help fund an expansion of their programme of Saturday sessions to improve youngsters aged up to 11 improve their speech and learn how to sign so that they can communicate more effectively.

The Bedfordshire Down's Syndrome Support Group is affiliated to the Down's Syndrome Association and was formed in October 200 by a group of parents.

The registered charity exists to provide support, information and advice and to give all the young children and adults it helps the chance to develop to their maximum potential.

Social activities include monthly Sunday Social get-togethers for the extended family and friends to get together.

The group also runs weekly speech therapy sessions on Saturday mornings for groups of children aged up to 11.

These concentrate on communication and language skills and incorporate oral motor therapy.

Most children with Down's Syndrome have speech problems which have a real impact on their lives, but with help from the sessions they can learn to communicate more effectively and learn how to sign. A weekly signing course for parents, carers and children is also laid on.

To find out more about the group, click here

For fuller coverage of the awards night and a picture gallery, click here