AYDS Support was founded by Dan Shilton, inspired by his journey as a father and his belief that every person deserves support that truly sees them as an individual.

Dan’s son, Harvey, who has Down syndrome, has been the driving force behind the creation of AYDS Support. Through Harvey’s experiences, Dan witnessed both the incredible impact that the right support can have — and the challenges families often face when trying to find services that are understanding, flexible, and genuinely person-centred.

Watching Harvey grow, develop confidence, and achieve milestones with the right encouragement showed Dan how powerful meaningful support can be. It also highlighted the importance of listening, patience, and building relationships based on trust rather than simply delivering services.

These experiences shaped Dan’s vision for AYDS a service built around people, their goals, and their individuality. A place where support feels personal, respectful, and focused on helping people live fuller, more independent lives.

Alongside his lived experience as a parent, Dan brings professional expertise as a specialised support coordinator, combining practical knowledge of the disability sector with a deep personal understanding of what quality support should look and feel like.

Today, AYDS reflects that journey supporting individuals and families with compassion, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to putting people first.