West Sussex Parents Forum

Aiming High for Disabled Children was a three year project which ends March 2011. The outcome of this project has produced many new facilities, services and activities for disabled children in West Sussex. Please find below a detailed list of services, projects and facilities that have received funding. Contact details are provided if you would like further information. Your child/young person must be receiving middle/high rate Disability Living Allowance to receive these services.

PACSO – Chichester

PACSO support parents or carers with a child or young person with a disability in the Chichester/Arun location.

Buddy scheme for children/young people aged 11-19 years

Group sessions for children/young people aged 5-19 this includes trips out and Saturday club.

For more information www.pacso.org.uk or 01243 533353

KANGAROOS – Mid Sussex

Teenscene Youth Club, Tuesday after school term time for young people aged 13-19 years. Each session is 2.5 hours and 1:1 support is available.

Holiday Club, for young people aged 13-19 years during the summer holidays, 12 sessions over a 3 week period.  Social and life skills based.  Sensory based activities will be available for young people with complex learning disabilities.

All Sports, Mondays after school during term time for 2.5 hours for children/young people aged 6-19 years. 1:1 support is available.

Sports Camps, One to be held in August 2011 and then another during Easter 2012.  Each camp will be for 3 days for young people aged 11-19 years.

For more information www.kangaroos.org.uk or 01444 255120

Smile

One-to-one support services up to 5 hours per week for disabled children and young people 0-18 years old in Arun, Chichester, Crawley, Horsham and Mid Sussex

For more information contact Sue Stepney on 01903 787614 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Spurgeons

Buddy scheme for 2 hours per week for a maximum of 6 months to help disabled children and young people 5-19 access local services in their communities.

For more information contact Leonie Warnick on 01903 719515 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Springboard Project – Horsham/Crawley

Buddy Scheme in Crawley, Mid Sussex and Horsham for 12-18 year olds on weekday evenings and school holidays.

Grasshoppers Club in Horsham and Crawley for 5-12 year olds during Saturdays and school holidays and mid week sports club.

, ring 01403 257699 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 Cool2Care

Set up by the father of a disabled son Cool2care is an innovative, youthful, agency-style social enterprise which supplies skilled and cool carers or buddies to disabled children.  All our carers are screened, CRB checked and trained before placement.  We liaise closely with you to fully understand your needs as a family and also those of your child before introducing a choice of suitable care-workers.  All that is left is for you to interview the care worker before employing him/her.  Cool2care will support you before, during and after the recruitment process.

For more information contact Jacqui Parfitt, Family Liason Manager on 07872502751 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.cool2care.co.uk

FAB Service – West Sussex

Fun and Breaks – a short breaks service for disabled children and their families.

For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01243 777100 or www.westsussex.gov.uk/fab

Ashdown Club – Worthing

Providing sessions during the school holidays and Saturdays for disabled children aged 5-18 years.

For more information 01903 528607 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Autism Sussex – West Sussex

Providing a buddy scheme or small groups for 0-19 years.

For more information www.autismsussex.org.uk or 01424 773366

Crossroads – West Sussex

Crossroads Care West Sussex is on hand to give short breaks to disabled children and young people aged 5-19.  Crossroads Care will meet the disabled child or young person along with their parents and carers at home to talk about what is wanted.  An average of three hours a week per family, free of charge. 

The intention of these short breaks- for visits, creative activities, sports, hobbies and social get together.  The intention is to empower disabled children and young people to fulfil their potential and to live as ordinary life as possible.

For more information 01903 790270

Enable Me

Inclusive after school and holiday sports clubs for disabled children and young people and their siblings/friends, aged 5-19. The clubs are led by a team of disabled sports coaches and offer up to 8 different disability sports,  including wheelchair basketball, football and hockey, boccia, new age kurling, cricket and tennis.

Clubs are running in Crawley, Horsham, Littlehampton and Worthing areas at present; please check www.enablemeproject.org.uk for more details.

Thanks to Aiming High, the brand new Enable Me ‘Sports bus’ is fully kitted out with a whole range of specialised sports equipment that means we can deliver sports sessions tailored to meet local needs anywhere in the county!

As well as providing sports clubs, Enable Me also offers training for organisations & professionals that work with disabled children & young people and their families.

For more information contact Nik Demetriades on 01903 734400 or email us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Chestnut Tree House

Chestnut Tree House offers a range of services for children and young people in Sussex and SE Hampshire who have life limiting and life threatening conditions. We offer those children, their families and carers short breaks, palliative care, end of life and bereavement support in the following ways:
 

• Assessment, advice and care for children and young adults with life limiting or life threatening conditions 24 hours per day.
• Short breaks and end of life care provided at Chestnut Tree House by specialist staff.
• Short breaks and end of life care in the child’s own home by specialist staff.
• Support for the whole family following diagnosis through out the whole disease process by the multi disciplinary team at Chestnut Tree House
• Bereavement support which includes befriending, counselling and spiritual care
• Support and advice on the Transition from paediatric palliative care services to adult services

 
Contact our Care Team on 0845 450 5820 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
Website: www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk

Rainbow Trust

Personal Short Breaks (countywide) on a one-to-one basis for children and young people 0-19 with a life-limiting of life threatening condition.

For more information contact Margaret Story 02380232129 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Lodge Hill- Pulborough

Accessible Eco Lodge fitted with a Molift small hoist, disabled wet room facilities, disabled toilet and shower.  Ramp and access.

There is an electric buggy to transfer less able young people around the grounds together with special harness and equipment for all the activities.

Lodge Hill is a short stay residential centre for groups, schools

For more information www.lodgehill.org.uk or 01798 831411

Library Service – West Sussex

Storytellers, artists and drama performers to be arranged for future dates.  To be included on the mailing list to receive further information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01243 382544

Toy Libraries – West Sussex

8 specialised toy libraries will be set up across the County.  The toys and equipment will include sensory and developmental toys which can be borrowed by families and early year’s practitioners for FREE.

By the summer term these will be set up in the following Children & Family Centres:

Petworth , Lancing, Felpham, Kingston Bucci, Findon, Southwater,

Footprints – Lyndhurst Road, Worthing, Langley Green, Mid Sussex Centres

For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01243 777807

Crawley Borough Council

This project is an inclusive BMX track to ensure that disabled children & young people can integrate with their peers.  Specially adapted cycles have been purchased and will included part time instructors.

For more information www.Crawleyextreme.wordpress.com or 01293 585350

Petworth Community Gardens – Petworth

An organic gardening group based in Petworth, working with volunteers of all ages and abilities from the local community.  They have accessible paths and wheelchair accessible raised beds, accessible shed and toilet.  They currently meet on a Tuesday and every other Thursday from 10am-2pm.  They have an experienced garden trainer and two care support staff for each session.

For more information www.petworthcommunitygarden.org.uk or 07717462780

Changing Places – West Sussex

Chanctonbury Leisure Centre – Storrington

Lancing Manor Leisure Centre, Lancing

The Triangle – Burgess Hill

The Dolphin – Haywards Heath

Bluecoat Sports Centre - Horsham

5 West Sussex leisure centres will be fitted with a disabled toilet facility.  Changing Places toilets provide a hoist and a height adjustable changing bench as well as a centrally placed toilet to enable carers, whether family of paid, to meet the full toileting needs of the cared for person.  This project will remove the toileting barrier with respect to mobility and transfer as well as significant continence needs to enable children and young people with complex physical needs/learning difficulties to access leisure centres with confidence and dignity.

For more information 01444 477012

Brooklands Pleasure Park – Worthing

Fully accessible wheelchair carriage for the ‘Diddly train’.  Hoist for the pony rides and a fully accessible motorised swan boat.

For more information ring 07967361847 or www.diddlys.com

We Play Too – Worthing

An inclusive public park set up two years ago with fully accessible toilet facilities and hoist.  Offering large multi sensory musical equipment and another wheelchair swing, interactive rockers and adaptable saddles for the ponies plus much more.

For more information www.weplaytoo.org.uk  or 07712202100

We Cycle Too & Worthing Borough Council – Worthing

A purpose built track consisting of a short and long route of 400m.  Specially adapted bikes will be available for hire.  Children with disabilities will be able to ride a bike or be seated on a bike with their carer. An extra car park for blue badge holders will be available too.

For more information ring 07712202100

Timeaside – West Sussex

Sensory art workshops for health, esteem and communication needs held in various venues within the county.

All abilities, disabilities and differences catered for. 

For more information www.timeaside.com

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 07792903236

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 07967828654

Kids E-Learning

Kids e-learning is an effective internet based training solution which can be used by anyone that has contact with disabled children and young people, It is currently being used by Short Break workers, volunteers, sessional staff, youth & children's workers and permanent employees both within KIDS and also in local authorities and other organisations. The e-Learning suite is flexible enough to cover a range of different requirements ? from those who need a simple introduction and overview through to those working with disabled children and young people on a daily basis.

http://www.kids.org.uk/form/100428/105519/kids_elearning to access login you need to obtain a password from Michelle Vanrooyan on 01243 642284

Welfare Benefits Advisor

FREE advice for parents with children that have additional care needs/disabilities.  Disability Living Allowance renewals and applications, carers allowance, tax credits etc.  Help is available to apply for all these benefits.

For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Reach Out and Communic8 website

This is a comprehensive website for families, young people, and carers providing information, blogs, resources, videos and much more.

www.reachoutwestsussex.org.uk

Horsham Leisure Link – Horsham

Weekly term time inclusive sports and arts courses for 5-19 year olds and siblings.

Badminton, Baseball, Cricket, Dance, DJ’ing, Drama, Percussion, Screen Printing, Table Tennis, Video Production and Tennis.

For more information www.horsham.gov.uk or 07734231052

Littlehampton Leisure Centre – Littlehampton

State of the art interactive room which includes a light wall, light floor and 8 dance mats.  Choose from games which include dodgeball, musical squares and splat.  Block bookings for schools and groups available or book the room for the whole family to enjoy for an hour.

For more information www.inspireleisure.co.uk or 01903 725451

Worthing Leisure Centre – Worthing

Trampolining sessions for young people every Saturday from 2pm-4pm.

For more information www.worthing.gov.uk or 01903 502237

Westgate Leisure Centre – Chichester

Trampolining for six week courses for children or young people from 8 years plus. 

Snorkelling for a six week course on Tuesdays 6.30pm for children/young people aged 8 years plus.

For more information please ring 01243 521103

Swimming Lessons for children/young people aged 8 years plus.  Group lessons for a six week course fully funded on Tuesdays 6.30pm.

For more information please call Jane on 01243 521112

Sports 4 All – Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Storrington

Sessions are designed with siblings in mind as well so parents have a short break. 

Trampolining – Mondays for 5-11 year olds

Gymnastics – Tuesdays for 5-11 year olds

Table Tennis – Thursday 11-19 year olds

Multisports – Saturday Morning for 5-19 year olds.

For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01903 746070

Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre – Horsham

Purpose built sensory room for disabled children.

Changing room adaptations so that we have adult and junior changing facilities with toilet, sink and adjustable changing bed, shower and a hoist system from all areas.  Rebound therapy sessions for 5-19 year olds weekly for disabled young people with more profound needs to access the trampolines.  Swimming lessons for 5-19 year olds weekly at both The Pavilions in the Park and Billingshurst Leisure Centre with changing beds added to the facilities at both sites with pool chairs also.

For more information please contact the relevant site

Broadbridge Heath Centre on 01403 211311

The Pavilions in the Park on 01403 219200

Billinshurst Leisure Centre on 01403 787500

Bognor Regis Nursery School & Childrens Centre – Bognor Regis

The centre has extended its resourcing to include some specialised equipment to enhance further young children’s play and learning opportunities.  There are also plans to develop a support group for parents with Special Educational Needs. 

For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01243 642924

East Grinstead Library & Childrens Centre

Support group for parents with children with special needs and also music therapy sessions.

For more information 01342 332970

Langley Green Children & Family Centre – Crawley

Sensory/soft play room with interactive equipment.  Families will be able to book time in the room and enable families to use the room outside the main opening hours i.e. early evenings and weekends.  Children will be able to use soft play equipment, black out blinds, an interactive bubble wall, LED interactive light wall, activity panel, UV tactile panel, rope lights, aromatherapy and many other sensory items that can be chosen to suit the development needs of the child.

For more information 01293 651747

Kingston Bucci Children & Family Centre – Shoreham

Lancing Children & Family Centre

Whizz Kid Wednesdays are aimed at children up to the age of 8 with any form of physical need.  Its purpose is to provide support, a stimulating play space for children and a place for parents to share experiences with other families.  There is an after school club too and siblings are welcome.

Fun Factory is a stay and play drop in for any child under 5 with additional needs and their parent/carers.  The group offers a chance to take part in a range of play time activities whilst getting to know other families.

For more information and dates please call 01273 467998 or 01903 276898

Horsham Nursery School Children & Family Centre – Horsham

Sensory room which will be available for bookings of half hourly sessions.  The room will be equipped with fibre optic carpets, sensory panels and an LED touch wall.

For more information 01403 224444

Angmering Children & Family Centre – Nr Worthing

Saturday morning sessions for children with additional needs and their siblings.  Carers available for extra support and a chance for parents to stay and have a coffee.  Sensory days, fun workshops and trips available.

For more information 01903 270470

Findon Valley Children & Family Centre – Worthing

Saturday morning sessions for children with additional needs and their siblings.  Carers available for extra support and a chance for parents to stay and have a coffee.  Sensory days, fun workshops.

For more information 01903 270455

Chichester Nursery School Children & Family Centre

A parent and toddler group for families with children under 5 who have additional needs.  The group meets once a month on a Wednesday afternoon 1-3pm.

Singing with signs every Thursday morning 9.30-10.30.  A fun filled stimulating session for all children under 5 and their parents.  Led by a regional Makaton tutor.  Singing with signs is an exclusive group for anyone interested in using signs with their children.

Beginners and Advanced Makaton courses run termly.

Beginners 4 week course on Monday mornings

Advanced 2 Saturday sessions

For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01243 642950

Compiled by West Sussex Parents Forum March 2011