Since joining Chailey Heritage two years ago, Ellie (pictured below at a sports tournament) has shown a great deal of interest in school sport sessions, which has benefited her emotionally and physically.

By making use of our minibuses, we have been able to offer Ellie and her classmates the opportunity to enter several off-site sporting competitions across Sussex. She has been able to compete in sports such as boccia, wheelchair football and table cricket . By competing in these tournaments, Ellie has developed her muscle strength, balance and co-ordination and improved her blood circulation. Participating in tournaments such as these has also developed her social skills, giving her the chance to interact with the team-mates and competitors. It has also encouraged her use her voice more, for example to give commands to her team-mates.

With such a wide range of off-site opportunities available to our young people, we want to make sure that they never have to miss out. If we arent able to replace our old minibus soon, we risk having to choose between using a minibus to transport young people like Ellie to a sporting tournament, or to enable young adults to participate in off-site work experience opportunities. It is therefore vital for the education and development of young people at Chailey Heritage Foundation that we are able to buy a new minibus as soon as possible.