Springboard (Short Breaks Provider)
Service
The Springboard Project offers group based short breaks services for disabled children, teenagers and young adults aged 0 to 25 years in Horsham, Crawley and Worthing.
Springboard House Horsham is accessible, inclusive and open for stay and play for all
Springboard is a Short Break provider
What we do:
- 0-8s - Springboard Stay and Play centre offers SEND specific sessions. These are book able via out website at a concession booking price. These sessions are at a reduced capacity and are a chance for the parent carer to share experiences and make friends
- 6-12s - Play and activities for disabled children ages 6 to 12. Term time Saturday club and school holiday scheme in Horsham, Crawley and Worthing.
- 12-18s - Social activities for disabled young people ages 12 to 18. Term time weekday evenings and school holiday scheme in Horsham and Crawley.
- 18-25s - Social activities for young adults with a disability. Monthly evenings in Horsham and Crawley
- Our centre in Horsham is open 10 to 5 Monday to Friday term time (School holiday opening varies). Please see our website to book your families space.
Our users say:
'Saturday/holiday clubs provide much needed respite for us as parents......It's also great for meeting other parents of children with additional needs'. 'We love it here, our family have so much fun making lots of special memories'
Age Range: 0–25
Wheelchair Accessible?
Free to use?
Requires an application to be completed
Contact Details
01403 218 888
I was unsure about bringing P back to Springboard after such a long break due to COVID but he has had such a fantastic time with everyone that I am so very glad I did.
Thank you for all that you and the Team do P is leading a very full and happy life !!
Just to say thank you so much for having L today . He had such a great day and it was nice to have a break !
It has been a tough time for us all but we take comfort that you and the staff were there for us and helped to make things easier. Your well-being calls to Ce during the beginning dark and uncertain times, made a big difference to him and gave us much needed respite. We cannot thank you all enough, you have just been amazing, our ‘lifeline’.
Thank you so so much for T's session this evening, He had the most wonderful time and chatted enthusiastically all the way home about what he had been doing!
He can't wait to come back again to see you all, It's so nice for him to go somewhere and be accepted for who is, enjoy and be able to be himself! Thank you for the time and patience that you all have already shown to him, We really appreciate what you do and offer the children, it's amazing.
'My son, who is 21 years old, currently attends The Springboard Project WS18-25 group. He has been attending Springboard SEND sessions since what was known as Bunnyhoppers, the group for pre-school children and their families.
How my son benefits: 'Due to my son's level of additional needs he cannot organise independently his opportunities to socialise with his peer group, so essentially I have to organise this and facilitate opportunities for my son to be able to do this. I am very happy to do so, as why would I not want my son to socialise with his peers in his community where he lives? ' Being a service that is local to where my son lives makes this accessible, and relevant to the places and experiences that my son will have whilst attending a WS18 - 25 session. Firstly my son is a 21 year old young person, who values being able to have the opportunity to spend time with his peers, gaining coping skills whilst being out and about apart from his parents.
How my husband and I benefit: 'Much needed 'time out' and a chance to take a deep breath! Also, seeing my son have these opportunities, being out and about and at Springboard House with his peer group, also supports me to feel confident that I am giving him the best opportunities outside his home therefore raising my self-esteem. From what I understand, what alternates would my son have? Either being with his Mum and Dad, which whilst is OK, starts to feel inappropriate and not addressing my son's needs as a young person. Or, my son spending time at a respite provider, again whilst is this OK, will the provider be able to give my son opportunities to spend time with his peer group whilst out and about'?
I also feel confident about leaving my son with Springboard staff and volunteers, this gives me peace of mind during the time my son is with Springboard, as then I am not spending my time worrying about how he is getting on. The staff and volunteers do a fantastic job in supporting all the young people who attend Springboard.'
Thank you to the team - being there throughout all the lockdowns has been invaluable. M felt far less isolated than many of his friends who are not able to access Springboard and less than his peers who are without additional needs.
He was also able to carry over the skills he learnt at Springboard about using a virtual platform like Zoom - gave him confidence to participate in online college lessons with learning loss therefore kept at a minimum. He was able to cope when other classmates were not.
Your virtual trip sessions are a wonderful idea
'A' enjoys anything educational, his mind is like a sponge and takes in any learning.
His Cerebral Palsy means he is trapped inside a body that doesn't work, but his mind is hungry for information.
Just an amazing thing this zoom and people like you who let access be for all
These are very challenging and difficult times for C and it has an impact on us, you have helped us get through it and hopefully it won’t be for too long now the vaccine is here.
The main difference we have noticed with R attending Springboard is being able to use a toilet away from home. The hugest difference though is without a doubt the little boy that started many years ago would never ever get dirty now often comes out of sessions filthy as he’s participated in messy play or cooking. We never thought he would join in with such activities.
By coming to springboard E has learnt that adults are safe people to talk to and she will now communicate her worries with any adult at springboard. It’s a subtle change but bottling things up was having a very negative impact on E but lessened now she is more able to talk to other ‘grown ups’.
You are all doing an amazing job and we so appreciate you looking after us.
Just wanted to say ‘Thank you’, C enjoyed this activity so much, he couldn’t get enough of it. When he went outdoors (despite it being cold), to flick paint he was enjoying himself so much. He finished all the paint and wanted some more.
I had reservations about this activity (thinking of the mess) but he wanted to do it and loved every bit of it and having interaction with you all.
Thank you for all the fun, inventive ideas you come up with for C, definitely a stress reliever and good for his mental health and well-being.
We are looking forward to today’s cooking session. We are going to get the ingredients ready now so we are ready soon after college has finished.
Have a good day and THANKS AGAIN!
Thanks so much for running the Movie night – J absolutely loved it, the fact he couldn’t see anyone and they couldn’t see him really worked for him. He actually sat and watched the whole film 😊
A huge thank you for organising the Zoo visit. H totally loved it!! He was really engaged and had loads of fun, asking loads of questions. it was the highlight of our week. We are super keen to visit the zoo when restrictions lift.
Thank you for an excellent virtual afternoon at Bocketts farm. We so loved the animals, the little ponies were adorable. Thank you for your support and for letting us join you.
Just wanted to say how much myself and B enjoyed the Tilgate session on Saturday. It was so interesting and delivered in a fun way. Thank you
Hi Team, S LOVED the gloop session last Saturday - thank you. The signal dropped out as we left the kitchen to move outside to S's mud kitchen, as she was getting really into it! We have repeated the activity everyday this week - now run out of ingredients! Suffice to say it's made an impression. Thanks folks for cheering her up.
R and A had a lovely play in springboard garden on Wednesday thank you for opening up this service of somewhere different to visit during these difficult circumstances
Thank you to Springboard Horsham for the use of the garden for an hour and a half. Such a great idea, was nice to have that time on our own and just play and chill.
HUGE Thank You to Luke from Springboard, for the ‘Wellbeing’ check call today. I definitely chewed his proverbial ear off as it’s so tough right now, BUT WE truly appreciate it. It’s so needed right now to help with the isolation as a parent/carer
Thanks for offering such great choices - S can’t choose! We aren’t going out, so Springboard is S’s lifeline still! THANK YOU.
Can I just take the opportunity of passing on our thanks. The team have provided a weekly face to face session for the group....which has certainly for M meant taking away the feeling of isolation from what could have been a devastating time for him during lockdown. The team has been fantastic.
You have enriched the lives of our CYP and particularly during the period of lockdown you have given the young people a constant (outside of their family units) which has helped them feel more secure and more confident in what must be a baffling world to them
Thank you so much for all your help and support. We really needed it and appreciated it. Things are difficult for everyone now but I am sure you will keep your good work! Thank you again and see you some time! Best regards
Hi Luke and everyone at Springboard,
We cannot thank you enough for your daily chats with C during this very difficult time this has been amazing for all of us, but more so for him.
'Thanks to all of the Springboard team for all you are doing just now to support and keep in touch with families. It's great you are offering some live virtual sessions, unfortunately the social communication difficulties W and A experience mean this don't work for them, however it's wonderful way for other young people to remain connected with yourselves. Thanks also for forwarding information you are receiving to the parents / carers, it's much appreciated. '
'H loves going to Springboard and Springboard is great for H! Being a wheelchair user and loving technology, H would spend (given a choice) all his free time playing on his iPad, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Wii and watching TV. So, Springboard gives H the opportunity of doing other things like playing with the other children and the volunteers, imaginative play with the dinosaurs, going to the cinema, going bowling, building Lego, baking, making smoothies, playing and relaxing in the sensory room, etc.
Springboard has always been great with H. H’s speech is limited and very unclear (he sometimes uses his iPad to communicate) and he needs help with his personal care, feeding, drinking, etc. The staff at Springboard are well trained, very friendly, patient and caring. I always know he is in good hands when he goes there.'
'Sadly I think the time has come for J and our family to say farewell to springboard. He has changed so much over the past year or so and we have used the services less and less. J has grown so much in confidence and is exceeding all our expectations at school. He is turning into a very caring and compassionate young man who we are so very proud of. Springboard has played a big part in his growing up and has helped us so much as a family. J has had so much fun with everyone over the years and I’m sure he will be remembered for being crazy, happy and carefree ............
If I’m honest it wouldn’t surprise me if he wanted to come and volunteer himself in the future.'
'Thank you so much for all Springboard did for us. It was great to have the support and reassurance you provided us with when A was first diagnosed.'
'Many thanks for looking after L, he really enjoys his time at Springboard.'
"You are so understanding of our children's needs and are also supporting us as a family more than any other organisation ever would. Thank you so much. :)"
We have been amazingly lucky to be involved with Springboard for many years. Through Homestart we were able to access Sprigboards Stay and Play sessions for free. It was just brilliant to have a safe and free place to play when we were going through a tough time as a family. It is a brilliant location to play with friends and we used to regularly attend. This was prior to the days of my son having a diagnosis but whilst I was aware he had additional needs. Springboard has always been a safe haven for us - a place we can play, meet friends and most importantly a place where we knew we could play safely and my son couldn't escape. We were thrilled when we moved back to Horsham and were not only able to play again at Springboard but also to sign up to the 6 to 12's. My son had loved the days our he has been able to access that we would struggle to do as a family but most of all he loves the opportunity to play at Springboard. He has made friends at Springboard and we love the fact he has somewhere he can play safely with people who get him. A place to play without judgement. As a family Springboard has given us much needed respite. An opportunity to do something with our other children that we would otherwise struggle to do. Our son has had some many opportunities from being a member at Springboard and we are beyond grateful for what it has offered him. Without Springboard our family would be in a very different place emotionally. Springboard gives us time to refresh and face things again with new energy. The opportunity to have some head space and review where we are at. We would be at a total loss without these breaks. We have really appreciated the new Family Fun Days. It's been so great to have an event that we can all attend as a family without the stares and looks. An opportunity to meet others and network with people who get our life. Since receiving a diagnosis for our daughter we have also started attending 0-6's. It's been fantastic to have an activity to attend at the weekend, that we can also bring siblings to, and a place where we can all safely play. Its also been amazing to meet new friends and get to know others in a similar position. We are so grateful for the variety of opportunities and support that we have received from springboard.
“I just wanted to thank you and your team for all you do!! Frank absolutely loves going out with you all and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate having a break! You are all wonderful stars xx”
"Grasshoppers Saturday club at Springboard crawley has a 1 year waiting list but I have been told by parents it is more like 2 years. All down to funding of the staff. Shame." Feedback left via the feedback plugin and the posted by the Local Offer Officer.
"My son went to grasshoppers and then onto buddies, and it was a fantastic resource for him and my family. Opportunities to socialise for children with special needs can be hard to come by, but these groups provide that. It is an invaluable resource and so important. Our children deserve to have fun and meet up with friends, and this can be so difficult due to different needs. They run the risk of becoming isolated if they don't get to access the scheme that springboard offers.
It is also great for the families of these children to have a very much needed break whilst safe in the knowledge their child is being cared for and having fun.
Hopefully a group for adults will be set up as these needs don't stop when a young person turns 18. The staff and volunteers are fantastic. My son now sees a lot of them as his friends and it is lovely when we are out and about, if we see them they always stop and have a chat. Something small maybe, but it isn't to him. It makes him feel valued and happy."
This comment has been left via the feedback button and has been posted by the Local Offer Officer.
This comment has been posted by the Local Offer Officer as it was left anonymously via the Feedback plugin.
"Springboard project is a lifeline in the school holidays. My kids are safe and happy. They get to experience fun days out."
My daughter has been going to buddies at Springboard for a couple of years. She loves it, it has given her confidence to go to different places. She looks forward to every outing as she knows she gets support. Best project out there.
My son has been going to Grasshoppers at Springboard for about six months now. He absolutely loves it there, he looks forward to going with no anxiety at all. The staff are brilliant at engaging with the kids and my son always comes home tired (!) and happy.
Buddies Horsham is just fab! My 12 year old loves the activities that she can choose to do. The volunteers that come and support are brilliant as well as all Springboard staff. She has just started Buddies after a long gap since Bunnyhoppers and is enjoying seeing friends from that time as well as slowly making new ones. The safe small steps towards independence have been great for us all and Buddies helps her work towards her own personal goals having fun along the way. She is fearful and anxious about some new things but the welcome, preparation, support and encouragement she gets from Buddies have helped re-enforce the 'I can do it if I try!' message for her. Thank you Buddies.
I started taking my daughter to Bunnyhoppers in Horsham when she was 4. At that time we rarely went out as a family because it was so difficult. Now my daughter is nearly 10 and has been going on outings and fun days in with Crawley grasshoppers for nearly 5 years. They provide us with much needed respite and my daughter with new experiences, fun and care. The volunteers and staff are all fantastic. I just wish there were more places like Springboard as we have to travel to get there.
My daughter has been going now to Springboard for the past 6 years or so. She is now in Buddies and we are very grateful to Springboard, the organisers and all the fantastic volunteers who make it so much fun and are prepared to take our children out into the world for new experiences!!
My daughter has been going for a couple of years and really enjoys her time with Grasshoppers. They go on some brilliant day trips in the holidays and the Saturday clubs give her the opportunity to play with other children with additional needs in the area, which is more important now as she no longer goes to school in the county. The staff and volunteers are fantastic.