A unique exhibition will be held on Thursday March 24 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) in Teddington.

The exhibition will showcase powerful images of people in their 50s and older who have Down's syndrome.

'Memories and Stories' will feature the work of 13 well-known photographers including Richard Bailey, Aron Hosie and Blair Moore.

The exhibition juxtaposes the powerful and moving portraits of people who have Down's syndrome in their 50s, with edgy and stereotype busting images of younger subjects.

Among those featured in the exhibition are 58-year-old Anya Souza and 37-year old Alex Boys.

Anya is a Trustee of the DSA, she is passionate about fighting for the rights of people who have Down's syndrome.

Alex's photos were taken after a long period of illness during 2020, the photoshoot is in celebration of his return to health.

It is the first and only exhibition of its kind to focus on older people who have Down's syndrome in their 50s and beyond.

Today (Monday March 21) is World Down's Syndrome Day and this week marks Down's Syndrome Awareness Week.

The exhibition opening this week offers a fresh, thought provoking and sometimes surprising portrayal of individuals who have Down's syndrome.

It is the first exhibition to acknowledge and recognise those who have seen societal attitudes towards them change during that time and celebrates the fact that these individuals are here today and living their lives as part of the community.

The exhibition is open this Thursday March 24 18:00-21:00 and will have further open days on April 23, July 2 and September 3.

It can viewed at Landon Down Centre in Teddington, the former home of the Victorian Physician Dr John Langdon Down, known internationally as the 'Father of Down's syndrome.'

The centre was built as a place where people with learning disabilities could be cared for and educated at a time when most would have been condemned to life in an asylum.

The exhibition will run throughout the building giving visitors the rare opportunity to see parts of the historic site not open to the public.

Carol Boys, Chief Executive of the Down's Syndrome Association, said: "We see many wonderful stories in the media about children and younger people who have Down's syndrome, but there are many older individuals in their 50s and beyond, who are equally worthy of acknowledgment.

"Fifty years ago, the likelihood of someone who had Down's syndrome surviving beyond the age of 20 was still extremely low.

"Today there are approximately 47 thousand people who have Down's syndrome in the U.K., and this exhibition celebrates the fact that people are now living longer and leading full, and more equal, lives.

"We have come a long way from how life used to be for people who have Down's syndrome and the Down's Syndrome Association has played a significant role in helping them flourish and overcome some of the barriers they faced during the last 50 years."

The exhibition is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Visitors wanting to attend the exhibition, please email [email protected].