New minibus for Chalkhill

Monday 18 January 2010

Staff members at the Chalkhill Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit in Haywards Heath were delighted to receive a brand new specially adapted minibus from Sussex children's charity, Rockinghorse.

Chalkhill is a new facility on the Princess Royal Hospital site, whose focus is on assessing and treating children and young people aged 5 to 18 from across Sussex for a wide range of mental health illnesses. Chalkhill opened in February 2009 and is equipped with state of the art resources that have been acquired with the help of Rockinghorse’s fundraising efforts, including a suite of Apple computers, a range of musical instruments and art facilities.

The minibus will be used to take Chalkhill’s young people to activities off-site to which they otherwise may not have had access.

Capital Hair and Beauty in Burgess Hill kick-started the fundraising campaign with a significant donation towards the minibus  which was then added to by Southern Railway and the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All programme in the latter part of last year.

Nick Clark, the Acute Services Manager at Chalkhill (Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) said: “The staff and young people who use Chalkhill are extremely grateful for the donation of a minibus by Rockinghorse. The minibus will be used for social and educational activities such as trips to the cinema, visiting museums in London as part of school projects, or visiting local sites of interest. 

“All activities and outings are aimed at building self esteem and promoting positive social experiences. The minibus will help to enhance the experience of young people who use the services of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust."

Rockinghorse is now fundraising for contributions towards a programme of projects for the young people at Chalkhill to take part in such as African drumming, yoga and dance. Find out how you can get involved by calling us on 01273 730286.