Kangaroos (Short Breaks Provider)
Service
Kangaroos provide short breaks for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities, complex needs, limited mobility, autism, behavioural and epilepsy to have fun, interact with their peers, learn new skills and enjoy new experiences independently of their families.
Staff and volunteers all receive regular training in Safeguarding, First Aid, Team Teach, Complex Needs and Manual Handling.
What we do:
- Saturdays and School Holidays clubs offering fun inhouse activities, trips out and residentials PALS for ages 6-12, BREAKAWAY ages 12-18 STARS ages 6 years plus for those with Complex needs and limited mobility
- TUESDAY: TeenScene (Ages 12-18) - Youth Club at Cherry Tree Centre, Burgess Hill
- MONDAY - Allsorts (Ages 8-14 years) - After School Activities Club at The Hub, Haywards Heath. THURSDAY - Champions (Ages 6-12 years) - After school Activities Club at The Hub, Haywards Heath.
- Family Support with days for the whole family including coach trips, theatre trips and fun days. 0-5 years Play and Stay sessions, Sibling event, coffee mornings and networking and information opportunities for parent/carers.
- No Limits (Ages 18+) Social and recreational programme for young adults at various times - evenings, weekends and holidays Youth Club 18-25 years and Social Club 25+ years on alternate TUESDAYS at The Yews Community Centre, Haywards Heath
Our users say:
This has been my son’s first summer at Kangaroos, and it couldn't have been a better summer for him. I would never have dreamed of such a wonderful club before. It means the world for him !
Age Range: 0–40
Wheelchair Accessible?
Free to use?
Contact Details
01444 459 108
Read More
Website Twitter FacebookFor more information, and to read about how to access this service, visit:
Local Offer webpageAddress
7 & 8 More House Farm Business Centre,
Ditchling Road,
Haywards Heath,
RH17 7RE
It’s helped give us some time as parents and knowing H is being looked after by people who are understanding of his complex needs is of great reassurance.
Kangaroos gives my child and my family that much needed respite whilst also ensuring that my child has a great time doing activities which they love. They feel safe in their care and are more than competent in handling their medical needs.
I just wanted to say thank you to Kangaroos and all the staff and volunteers who have just provided a wonderful weekend at Hindleap. I picked my son up today and found myself totally in awe of an organisation that can provide an incredible experience to such a large number of diverse young people across all ages and special needs. I was truly impressed at such a magnificent achievement. Well done to you all. My son had a brilliant time. Thank you again.
So, I think our experience of Eva going to Kangaroos has taught us that we can take Eva out to different places. It’s given us some confidence in our own life outside of Kangaroos.
“Life wasn’t a walk in the park before lockdown, but it was manageable… Now I have no breaks at all, the routine is exhausting. It is chaotic and non-stop. Kangaroos online programme of activities is our only lifeline at the moment. I can’t thank them enough.”
One parent's comment on Kangaroos Restart Programme in August 2020: “Thanks so much for taking Isaac it was his first outing with kangaroos he was so nervous but he loved it and can’t wait to come again on another outing with the ladies who he said were so lovely to him”
A parent's feedback about Kangaroos virtual programme during the coronavirus pandemic "During this tough time in our lives Kangaroos are providing the kids with a chance to see the familiar faces of both staff and their group and to share their news on Zoom calls which we love! Its making us feel more supported as a family and keeping Tom connected to his group and increasing our sense of connection at a time where the the reality is that we are more isolated physically than we ever have been. Thank you Kangaroos for working so hard to change the way your services are delivered - you can't give us respite or give the kids social opportunities right now but you are helping us through this tough time and giving us lots to enjoy and to look forward to each week."
Since joining Kangaroos, Angus has become more independent, he has stopped hitting and is more tolerant of other children. The staff at Kangaroos encourage his independence and allow his personality to shine, which has eased his anxieties and given him confidence.
A recent comment by one of our parents whose child attends PALS "Kangaroos staff are amazing, we trust them completely and don’t know what we’d do without them. Their commitment to the children and love of what they do is second to none."
"Kangaroos is a well run and well organised playscheme. It's worth the trips from Horsham to Haywards Heath as Kangaroos are able to offer a variety of opportunities for wheelchair users that our local group couldn't seem to do. Volunteers are well trained with a range of relevant experience." Comment left via the feedback button and posted by the Local Offer Officer.
My daughter Kaitlyn has just started this summer with kangaroos, and she has had a brilliant time on the activities she has done.
Thanks Kangaroos
My daughter joined Pals last December. Since then she's had some fun days at base plus some lovely outings. The staff are fantastic and I have been amazed by the attention to detail from the organisers. I really recommend Kangaroos and just wish there were more organisations like this out there. Because there is such a high demand for services there is a waiting list. It's worth the wait but we need more organisations like this!
Kangaroos is a fantastic charity with amazing staff and volunteers. Our son loves going there to see his friends and enjoys the wide variety of activities on offer. It is a very caring environment and the staff are very experienced. Kangaroos has helped us as a family and I would highly recommend them.