History

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 (later Sir Ludwig), 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 currently serving and former service personnel and their dependents.

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.

You can download our annual report and financial statements on our links and downloads page.