The Saturday Clubs provide activities, outings and time with friends for young people aged 9 to 19, and give families and carers with a chance for a break. They have been managed for six years by Southdown Housing Association, which supports 1,000 vulnerable adults across Sussex, and funded by Lewes Mencap and local authority grant. But, as the only service for children run by Southdown, the housing association found it difficult to meet growing regulations governing services for children, and the clubs faced shut-down.
Keen to keep the clubs afloat, Southdown launched a search for a new managing organisation and now East Sussex County Council’s Children’s Disability Service have stepped in to safeguard their future. The Council will continue to run the clubs in partnership with Lewes Mencap, which has guaranteed to fund them for at least the next two years.
"I’m delighted the clubs are going to stay,” said Susan McGowan whose daughter Laura is a club member. Laura, age 11 who has Williams Syndrome, enjoys a range of activities every other Saturday while Susan, knowing she’s safe and happy, can devote time to her other two children. "The clubs provide a much-needed resource in Lewes and it’s critical that families who have children with special needs get support from the beginning.”
East Sussex County Council’s Lead Member, Children and Families, Meg Stroude, said: "This is an important local service that gives young people with learning difficulties a chance to contribute to and be included in local community activities. It is also greatly valued and supported by parents and we’re very glad to work with Southdown and parents to provide a positive outcome.”
The take-over was also welcomed by Southdown which, in partnership with Mencap groups, will continue to run three Saturday Clubs for adults with learning difficulties in Lewes, Horsham and Crawley. "We know how much the children’s clubs are needed so we’re delighted that they will continue under the reins of East Sussex Children’s Services,” said Area Manager Heather May.
Notes to editors
Lewes Mencap are a leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
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