University Hospitals Sussex Directory of Services

Key to services

National Organisation

Local Organisation

Grants Available

Peer Support

Counselling

At Acorns Children’s Hospice a dedicated team provides specialist palliative care for life limited and life threatened babies, children and young people and support for their families. This support is offered from three hospices based in Worcester, Birmingham and Walsall, as well as in the family home and community.

T: 01564 825 037
W: acorns.org.uk

Amaze is a charity that gives information, advice and support to families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton & Hove and Sussex. We also support young people with SEND up to 25. Amaze is funded from a variety of sources: local authorities, central government, health services, trusts and foundations, businesses, public donations and from fundraising events such as the Brighton Marathon and our annual Big Cheer comedy night. Their vision is a world where families with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities are valued, included in their community and supported to thrive.

T: 01273 772289
W: amazesussex.org.uk
E: sendiass@amazesussex.org.uk

Barnardos supports and protects children and young people facing a wide range of issues, from drug misuse to disability, from sexual abuse to domestic violence.

T: 0800 11 11
W: barnardos.org.uk

Brainwave is a charity that exists to help children with disabilities to achieve greater independence by aiming to improve mobility, communication skills and learning potential through a range of educational and physical therapies. The Brainwave Therapy Programme aims to develop the maximum potential of each child by taking an integrated approach to their physical and cognitive development and by aiming to enhance a child’s social skills and emotional well-being.  They provide two full days, with two therapists for an initial assessment, followed by one-day reassessments every 4-6 months.

T: 01278 429089
W: brainwave.org.uk

Brainwave is a charity that exists to help children with disabilities to achieve greater independence by aiming to improve mobility, communication skills and learning potential through a range of educational and physical therapies. The Brainwave Therapy Programme aims to develop the maximum potential of each child by taking an integrated approach to their physical and cognitive development and by aiming to enhance a child’s social skills and emotional well-being. They provide two full days, with two therapists for an initial assessment, followed by one-day reassessments every 4-6 months.

T: 01278 429089
W: brainwave.org.uk

Centrepoint support young homeless people by offering financial, legal and emotional support to young homeless people. Centrepoint also offers education and training to aid with lasting employment.

T: 0800 587 5158
W: centrepoint.org.uk

Chailey Heritage Clinical Services offers flexible specialist services for children and young people with complex neurodisability and provide clinical support to children and young adults in mainstream and special schools, their residential environment, with acquired brain injury and more. They work as a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), including therapists and rehabilitation engineers (RE), nursing and medical staff in order to assist and enable our young people. Research underpins their problem solving approach and they are leaders in fields such as posture management, powered mobility learning, nutrition, sleep and consulting with children, young adults and their families. They have a range of specialist outpatient clinics, which can be accessed via referral from an NHS clinician.

T: 01273 722112 ext 7726
W: sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/chailey-clinical-services

The Children’s Respite Trust provides respite for disabled children and support for their families throughout East Sussex and into West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Surrey and Kent.

These are some of the most unwell children in our community, whose care needs are often 24 / 7. Respite is about giving their families a much-needed break and a chance to do the things that the rest of us take for granted, while ensuring the children themselves have the best time possible.
With their dedicated team of carers throughout the community and our welcoming and fun new respite centre in Uckfield, the Children’s Respite Trust is a safe pair of hands for disabled children.

T: 01825 817417
E: info@crtcharity.org
W: crtcharity.org

The Child Brain Injury Trust provides non-medical services to families affected by childhood acquired brain injury across the UK. A dedicated team of professional ABI Co-ordinators and volunteers give their expertise, commitment and enthusiasm to help families get the support they need. You can contact CBIT at any time, but generally the earlier you make contact, the quicker appropriate systems of support can be put into place.

T: 01869 341075
W: childbraininjurytrust.org.uk
E: info@cbituk.org

A burn injury is for life. The scars are physical as well as psychological and can present life long challenges. The Children’s Burn Trust aims to make those challenges easier to bear and to help children and young people to grow up and lead as happy and healthy a life as possible.

The Children’s Burn Trust is dedicated to helping NHS staff to restore the individual to their pre-injury condition and potential in terms of aesthetic, function and intellect.

They are able to provide help with rehabilitation, finances, treatment and emotional support.

T: 0207 881 0902
W: cbtrust.org.uk
E: info@cbtrust.org.uk

Contact a Family is here to make life a little bit easier for families with disabled and special needs children. Our parent advisers can offer information and support on a whole range of issues including education, benefits, social care, medical information and more. They run free workshops for parents and support groups including a workshop on dealing with challenging behaviour; sleep issues; stress and coping, supporting siblings, and transition to adulthood.

T: 0808 808 3555
T: 020 7608 8700
W: contact.org.uk
E: info@contact.org.uk

Family Fund provides grants and services to low income families raising disabled or seriously ill children. Grants are available for a wide range of items, such as washing machines, sensory toys, family breaks, bedding, tablets, furniture, outdoor play equipment, clothing and computers.

T: 01904 550055
T: 01904 621115
W: familyfund.org.uk
E: info@familyfund.org.uk

Farms for City Children is a charity enabling children from disadvantaged communities to experience the adventure of working together on our farms in the heart of the British countryside.

T: 01392 276381
W: farmsforcitychildren.org
E: admin@farmsforcitychildren.org

Freedom protects children through a 24/7 helpline, answered by professionals who understand dishonour abuse and how to help victims.

T: 0845 607 0133
W: freedomcharity.org.uk

Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization that creates life-changing wishes for children with a critical illness.

T: 0118 304 2776
E: info@makeawish.org.uk
W: make-a-wish.org.uk

Merlin’s Magic Wand is a charity providing ‘Magic Spell’ wishes including tickets and days out at Merlin Entertainments attractions (such as Legoland and Sea Life Centres). They also work within local hospitals and hospices to bring entertainment to children and create ‘magic spaces’ for them within clinical surroundings.

T: 01202 440060
E: Online Application and Enquiry Form
W: merlinsmagicwand.org

Over The Wall is a UK based charity for children with serious illness and disabilities, and their families, to discover a world of mischief and magic. A place where they can be brave and have fun with others.

T: 02392 477 110
E: info@otw.org.uk
W: otw.org.uk

Rainbow Trust supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life threatening or terminal illness and need bespoke support.

Rainbow Trust Family Support Workers provide a life line to families and children, they support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents. They bring support and help to families who need it at home, in hospital and in the community.

Any family can receive support from the moment of their child or young person’s diagnosis. The kind of support they provide is hugely varied and depends on your needs.

T: 01372 363438
W: rainbowtrust.org.uk
E: enquiries@rainbowtrust.org.uk

We brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK aged 3 to 18 by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospitals.

T: 0208 782 1171
W: raysofsunshine.org.uk

Reach supports parents, children and young people who are affected by upper limb deficiency, Reach provides advice and guidance to parents and teachers as well as providing a support group run by families who have had similar experiences.

T: 08451 306225
T: 0203 478 0100
W: reach.org.uk
E: reach@reach.org.uk

Redthread Youth Workers utilise their unique position embedded in the emergency departments alongside clinical staff, to engage young victims of assault and exploitation and help them change their future. Redthreads extensive experience is that when young people are out of their comfort zone, alienated from their peers, and often coming to terms with the effects of injury, it is a time to create positive change. In this moment many are more able than ever to question what behaviour and choices have led them to a hospital bed and, with specialist youth worker support, pursue change they haven’t felt able to before. Please note, referrals to Redthread can only be made if the patient is admitted to the Emergency Department / A&E of a hospital in which a Redthread team is embedded.

T: 0203 744 6888
W: redthread.org.uk
E: info@redthread.org.uk

Offers counselling services for every type of relationship nationwide. We provide advice on marriage, LGBT issues, divorce and parenting.

T: Search local branch
W: relate.org.uk

Sibs exists to support people who grow up with or have grown up with a disabled brother or sister.

W: sibs.org.uk

St Giles is a charity using expertise and real-life past experiences to empower people who are not getting the help they need, people who are hard to engage because they have been failed time and time again – held back by poverty, exploited, abused, dealing with addiction or mental health problems, caught up in crime or a combination of these issues and others.

T: 020 7708 8000
E: Roisin.keville@stgilestrust.org.uk
W: stgilestrust.org.uk

Starlight is the national children’s charity that exists to champion the importance of play and defend every seriously ill child’s right to it.

T: 020 7262 2881
E: talktous@starlight.org.uk
W: starlight.org.uk

The Children’s Trust runs a range of specialist care, education and therapy services for children and young people from across the UK. The Childrens Trust runs the UK’s largest childrens acquired brain injury (ABI) rehabilitation centre where children can recieve world class rehabilitation. The Children’s Trust offer rehabilitation services to NHS patients and on a private fee paying basis.

The Children’s trust provides on-line support for families affected by acquired brain injury via The Brain Injury Hub. Their website offers a wealth of practical advice and information about a condition that’s often misunderstood. There is also an on-line forum giving families the opportunity to share their stories and experiences.

T: 01737 365 000
W: thechildrenstrust.org.uk
E: enquiries@thechildrenstrust.org.uk

Together for Short Lives is here to make sure seriously ill children and their families can make the most of every moment they have together. They offer confidential emotional support and information on a range of issues and provide easily digestible information about available support so families can spend less time searching for help and have more time together.

T: 0808 8088 100
E: Online form
W: togetherforshortlives.org.uk

Children with healthcare needs can often benefit from a range of therapies and treatments, not necessarily available via state provision. Tree of Hope is a Kent based national children’s charity that supports families to fundraise towards these costs, safe in the knowledge they are working with a registered charity to maximise their fundraising opportunities and get support and help from us every step of the way.

It is not possible for a children’s charity to be established to support an individual child. However, Tree of Hope is the umbrella charity which has supported thousands of individual children’s campaigns for almost 25 years.

T: 01892 535525
E: info@treeofhope.org.uk / Family Support: families@treeofhope.org.uk
W: treeofhope.org.uk

WellChild is a national charity giving seriously ill children, young people and their families across the UK the best chance to thrive at home.

T: 01242 530007
E: info@wellchild.org.uk
W: wellchild.org.uk

Whizz-Kidz provides powered wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, sports wheelchairs, trikes and buggies to give young people with a physical disability independence. They also run clubs, camps, wheelchair skills training and work placements to help develop confidence and independence in children.

T: 020 7233 6600
W: whizz-kidz.org.uk
E: info@whizz-kidz.org.uk

Whoopsadaisy is a small, Sussex charity for children with cerebral palsy and other motor conditions, dedicated to helping them to reach their full potential. Their special programme of Conductive Education is tailored to help each child overcome everyday challenges – step by step. Based in Preston Park, they support babies and children in Brighton & Hove and across Sussex. All sessions are full of fun, with singing, games and creative activities. Whoopsadaisy offers a Parent and Child group (0-5 yrs), and a Saturday group and Holiday Club (5-12 yrs) for children with physical disabilities.

T: 01273 554178
E: info@whoopsadaisy.org
W: whoopsadaisy.org

Winston’s Wishes is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief.

T: 08088 020 021
W: winstonswish.org
E: ask@winstonswish.org

YoungMinds wants to ensure that young people can get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what. Offers support for children and parents.

T: 020 7089 5050
W: youngminds.org.uk