About Us

Introduction

The Chaseley Trust is a Registered Charity formed in 1946 following the donation of a large property in Eastbourne and £50,000 by benefactor Lady Michaelis.  Originally intended by the donor to house blind war veterans, Dr Ludwig Guttmann, a leading authority on the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with spinal injuries, and founder of the Spinal Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, was instrumental in persuading Lady Michaelis that the home should be established for paraplegic war veterans, whose long-terms needs were not being met elsewhere.

Dr Guttmann became Chaseley's Medical Consultant and a close link with Stoke Mandeville Hospital was maintained for many years, with patients often transferring to Chaseley.  Some of Chaseley's residents still return to Stoke Mandeville for annual assessments.Later the charity's objects were expanded to include people from all walks of life and with all types of severe physical disability, although priority is still given to ex-service personnel.

The Chaseley Trust is now a Registered Charity and Incorporated Company, administered by a Board of Trustees who are the directors of the company. The value of the Business is tied up in its real estate, its customer base (the service users) and its staff group. In practice, the real value of the customer base and the staff group will only be realisable if the Trust makes a consistent surplus and maintains its agreed level of reserves.

Chaseley became a member of the Rehab Group in 2001 – an independent not-for-profit organisation based in Ireland with over 50 years experience in providing services for people with disabilities.

Organisational Structure:

Chaseley’s registered provider is the Board of Trustees of The Chaseley Trust, who are:

Dr Angela Kerins (Chairperson), Richard Bugler, Kate Gammon, Jeremy Howes, Frank Flannery, Keith Poole,  and Patrick Salmon.

Chief Executive and Registered Responsible Individual is Sue Wyatt RGN who was appointed in 2002.  She has 28 years experience in healthcare with 20 years at management level plus four years experience at Chaseley as Matron.

The Registered Manager and Head of Care is Helena Barrow RGN, MCMI.  Helena has a Level 7 Executive Diploma from the Chartered Management Institute.  She has 22 years experience in nursing at Eastbourne's District General Hospital and since joining Chaseley in 2001 she has worked from a staff nurse to senior sister before becoming the Registered Manager in 2002.

Therapies Manager and Senior Charge Nurse is Noel Chilton RGN, who has 14 years experience in healthcare, including 3 years at Chaseley as a Senior Nurse.  He has a Chartered Management Diploma.  (pictured above with Helena).

Senior Sister and Training Manager is Amanda Rae RGN, MCMI,(right)  who has 17 years experience in healthcare including 5 years at Chaseley as a Senior Nurse and also holds a Level 7 Executive Diploma from the Chartered Management Institute..

The Psycho-Social Care Manager is Kate Wilkinson (left) who had been a nurse at Chaseley for 12 years, before becoming Manager in 2004.  Her diverse role includes overseeing Chaseley's busy activities department, organising day care placements and liaising with social services and health professionals.

The Administration and Facilities Manager David Brooks is responsible for the provision of all services in support of our core activities of delivering care and treatment to our Service Users.  Reporting to him is Head of the Estates Department Geoff Wilding, responsible for housekeeping, maintenance and security of the building and grounds.

Chaseley employs over 140 people, the majority of whom are nursing and care staff. They work in teams on the three floors of Chaseley with residents being accommodated in focused groups determined by their dependency level.

The Trust is also supported by a number of volunteers who provide vital assistance with activities and outings.

Chaseley's Vision:

To always be the care provider of choice to severely physically disabled people, especially those with an ex-services background.

Chaseley's Mission:

To provide dynamic and expert care services for people with severe physical disabilities in a safe, friendly and accessible environment through an expert multi-disciplinary team approach respecting the choices, individuality and privacy of residents, day-care clients and outpatients (the Service Users).

We aim to create an enabling and learning environment in which Service Users can work together with staff, students and volunteers to achieve their individual care plan goals.

Chaseley's Values:

 Valuing the Individual - Respecting the independence and rights of every individual to be treated with dignity and to have privacy and to exercise choice.

Person Centred – Our care is delivered to meet the assessed needs of our service users, involving, and in many circumstances taking the lead from, the individual in the care planning process.

Excellence – A belief that in all that we do we strive to achieve best practice.

Integrity –We operate in an open, honest and collaborative way with our stakeholders, purchasers, partners and funders.

Financial Sustainability - We operate in a responsible and professional manner, providing a value for money service, whilst ensuring that the organisation’s financial sustainability is upheld.