Local campaign group appearing on ITV This Morning

A local campaign group is appearing on This Morning with Philip Schofield on Thursday (13 December).

ITV This Morning is working on its first ever joint festive project with a twist, working with the Down Syndrome Community on ‘Wouldn’t Change a Thing’.

Claire-May Minett, from Rochdale, has a rare condition called Mosaic Down Syndrome.

She contacted Rochdale Online in 2013, on a personal mission to raise awareness of Mosaic Down Syndrome:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/82045/clairemay-minett-helps-raise-awareness-of-mosaic-down-syndrome

This week Claire said: “My campaign group, ‘Wouldn’t Change a Thing’, will be appearing on This Morning with Philip Schofield on Thursday 13 December 2018.

“We as a group are passionate about raising awareness for Down Syndrome to help people know that it’s not scary.

“We, with Down Syndrome, can lead full lives just like everyone else.”

“Back in March the show featured a group of mums and their children who have Down’s Syndrome who had released a viral video bearing the hashtag #wouldntchangeathing. Since then the video has exploded, racking up over 260 million views in over 30 countries and is regarded to be one of the most popular viral videos in history.

“This Morning supported the video at the earliest stage and was key to its success. Since then a charity was born, called Wouldn’t Change a Thing, which has since amassed hundreds of members, released another two videos with view counts into the millions, garnered oodles of celebrity endorsement, launched branded calendars, clothes, Christmas Cards and more.

“ITV This Morning have continued to support the initiative at every stage of the way.

“Now Wouldn’t Change a Thing is joining forces with the media professionals at This Morning to pull together a festive video that will melt even the hardest hearts. It will feature some of the show’s own celebrities along with a range of old and new faces from the Wouldn’t Change a Thing campaign singing and using Makaton Sign Language to a popular Christmas track.”

Makaton has been a key feature in all of the Wouldn’t Change a Thing videos which have put it in the spotlight and inspired schools up and down the country to embrace it.

Makaton is a slimmed-down form of British Sign Language used by those who need extra support while learning speech.

Behind the scenes, all Wouldn’t Change a Thing videos are made possible due to the support and training from “Singing Hands” - a UK Makaton-based performance team. Singing Hands were the inspiration for the original “50 Mums” video back in March and have gone on to teach and support all subsequent initiatives including conducting the team at the ITV Studios for this Christmas collaboration!

Claire goes on to say: “Be sure to get your tissues ready and keep an eye on Wouldn’t Change a Thing’s launch in December and airing on ITV This Morning on 13 December."

Jamie McCallum, Chairman of Wouldn't Change a Thing said: “The lives of people with Down's Syndrome have changed immeasurably over the last few decades, but society's perceptions have failed to keep up.

“Living happy, independent, working lives can be a reality now and research proves that families are happier for having the condition in their lives. But if no-one tackles society’s outdated perceptions of Down's Syndrome then less families, schools and workplaces will experience the wonderful value that it can bring. So that’s what we're trying to show the world - one set of eyeballs at a time!”