Champions Hub

More information for and about our Champions programme.

What are Rockinghorse Champions?

We developed our Rockinghorse Champions programme in January 2021 as a way of making sure the projects we fund are as impactful as possible.

Now made up of 46 healthcare professionals from across the county, including doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, support workers and play specialists, they help identify projects that they feel would make the most difference in their areas of work.

They also work as key points of contact within their particular departments so that as many of their colleagues within the NHS know about the support we provide and how they can access our funding.

Using their wealth of knowledge and experience means that we can make sure we’re supporting what the NHS really need to improve their work, creating a clear link between Rockinghorse and the hospitals and people we support.

Where our Champions are based

We have worked hard to recruit our Champions from as many children’s healthcare settings throughout Sussex as possible. Currently we have Champions in:

  • Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital – Champions in the outpatients, emergency department, HDU, surgical, medical, daycare, psychology, physiotherapy and oncology departments as well as the Play Team.
  • The Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton.
  • Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath – Champions in the emergency department and special care baby unit.
  • Howard Ward in Chichester.
  • Bluefin Ward in Worthing.
  • Seaside View Child Development Centre in Brighton.
  • Eastbourne District General Hospital.
  • Drove Road and Tudor House residential homes in Brighton.
  • Chalkhill Hospital in Haywards Heath.
  • Conquest Hospital in Hastings – Special Care Baby Unit and Kipling Ward.
  • Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead – Peanut Ward.
  • Community Nursing Teams in Brighton and Lancing.

If you work in any of these locations, or any children’s healthcare setting that isn’t listed, and would like to be one of our Champions, please contact our Project Manager Fran Masey O’Neill at fran@rockinghorse.org.uk.

Champions Fund

For the last two years we have been running a project called The Champion Fund. The purpose of the Champion Fund is to empower our Champions by giving them the flexibility to make smaller everyday purchases that are often tricky to order through the trust’s procurement system.

We currently have Champion Fund holders across The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, Worthing and Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. Each Champion Fund holder has access to a yearly budget to spend on items for their department that help provide immediate support for children and families.

Here are some examples of how the Champion Funds have been spent:

  • A weighted blanket for a young person experiencing ongoing sleep difficulties following treatment.
  • A doctor’s kit and personalised medical play equipment to help a three-year-old prepare for ongoing medical observations post-treatment.
  • Books to help parents talk to their children about worries, anger, and separation anxiety during cancer treatment.
  • A low light and aromatherapy diffuser to create a calming space.
  • Birthday cards and balloons to brighten up the day for families spending a special day in the hospital.

If you work at one of the above mentioned settings and would like to know how to access the Champion Fund or if you would like more information please contact Rockinghorse Projects Manager Fran at fran@rockinghorse.org.uk

Meet one of our Champions

“Hi, I’m Jack, ward manager on the children’s surgical ward at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.

“I manage the inpatient ward that cares for children admitted for surgical treatments. I worked in London for nine years before transferring to Brighton to continue my career in surgical nursing and management.

“I am delighted to be involved with Rockinghorse and see first-hand all the work they do for young children at the hospital, including providing equipment, donations to redecorate family rooms, and toys and gifts for sick children.

“I decided to be a Rockinghorse Champion to advocate for my ward and be the link between Rockinghorse and the surgical unit. This means being a key contact for upcoming bids, charity events, point of contact for special occasions and coordinating where funding is needed and can be used to create the best family experience possible.

“Becoming a Rockinghorse Champion provides a big impact on patient care, and demonstrates the best way to support families too.”

Thanks to Jack and all our wonderful Champions for helping us make sure we’re providing the right support, to the right people, right where it’s needed most.

How to become a Champion

If you work in a children’s health care setting in Sussex and you like the sound of becoming a Rockinghorse Champion please contact fran@rockinghorse.org.uk for more information.