New services welcomes views from families

Families have had their say in the development of a new service for disabled children and young people.
The first Challengers open day, ahead of setting up a new play scheme in Chichester. Picture: Derek Martin DM16135980aThe first Challengers open day, ahead of setting up a new play scheme in Chichester. Picture: Derek Martin DM16135980a
The first Challengers open day, ahead of setting up a new play scheme in Chichester. Picture: Derek Martin DM16135980a

Challengers, a charity which provides play and leisure schemes for disabled children and young people aged two to 25, held an open day at the 5th Chichester Scout Group headquarters on Wednesday.

It was the first of a number of opportunities for families to meet the team and explain what services that would help them in the future.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Challengers currently supports more than 1,300 families in Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. The charity is now working with West Sussex County Council to develop a service for disabled children and young people living in and around Chichester.

Four families attended the first open day, where they met Challengers staff and joined in a discussion to find out what service they would like to see developed in the Chichester community.

The children took part in a range of activities, including face painting, a bouncy castle and arts and crafts, giving them a sense of the fun that takes place on a Challengers scheme.

Sam Morris, Challengers service manager, said: “It was fantastic to meet some of the local families in Chichester and get to know them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There was a lovely atmosphere and we are so excited to be starting a project with West Sussex County Council and hope to have a brand new scheme starting in 2017.”

The second open day is on Wednesday, August 24, 12pm to 3pm, at the Community Hall, Donegall Avenue, Chichester.

There will then be further two open days in the autumn at 5th Chichester Scout Group, on Tuesday, October 25, 12pm to 3pm, and Thursday, October 27, 12pm to 3pm.

Challengers said this would give more families the opportunity to see what the charity is all about.

For more information about Challengers or the new project in Chichester, visit www.disability-challengers.org/chichester, email [email protected] or call 01483 230930.