CCPS - Chanctonbury Community Playscheme for special needs children

1977:  thirty-five years ago, near Chanctonbury Ring in West Sussex. In a quiet corner of a quiet town, a very special group of people realised that there was - and still is - a desperate need for fun, safe respite care for people with special needs. As this group was primarily made up of mothers who had children with mental and physical disabilities, they knew exactly what their children and others like them needed. These people went on to start the summer holiday play scheme known as CCPS. 

The children and volunteers
play parachute games in
the drama room.

Since that day, many other people have joined the organisation, mostly as volunteers and often devoting many, many years to working with children with special needs. The charity has grown from strength to strength and now runs for four weeks every summer holiday for approximately 70 children every day.


These children, who range in age from 5 to 19 years old, have a diverse range of complex needs. These include well-known conditions like Autism, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD or Downs Syndrome as well individuals with Profound Multiple Learning Difficulties or

Chanctonbury Community Playscheme - Who We Are

Every summer, over 100 children gather for four weeks of fun and mayhem at Chanctonbury Community Play Scheme. What makes this play scheme special is that these children all have special educational needs and that it is run entirely by volunteers from the community. 

Through the four weeks we have many crazy days of water-fights, dressing-up, art sessions and sensory play to entertain the range of 5 to 19 year olds as well as the volunteers!

CCPS has been running since 1977 and through it's dedicated and energetic team leaders and the children who attend, it just gets better every year.

Help us continue to make these special children's summer holiday action-packed and memorable by following us here!