Chanctonbury Community Play Scheme (CCPS)

Chanctonbury Community Play Scheme (CCPS) is a volunteer-led registered charity providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming summer holiday playscheme for children and young people aged 5–18 with additional needs and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Based in Worthing, we support families across West Sussex and surrounding areas within an approximate 45-minute travel radius.

A safe, supportive and joyful summer for children with additional needs

We are Chanctonbury Community Play Scheme (CCPS), a volunteer-led registered charity that has been bringing fun, friendship, play and adventure to children and young people with SEND for over 49 years. Every summer, our inclusive playscheme provides a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where children and young people aged 5-18 with additional needs and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can enjoy activities, build confidence, make friends and create lasting memories.

We are proud to support more than 100 different children families, each with their own needs, across the first half of the Summer holidays each year. Based in Worthing, West Sussex CCPS offers not only fun-filled days for children and young people, but also valuable respite and support for parents and carers. Generations of local families have been part of the CCPS story, creating a unique community built on inclusion, friendship and belonging.

Playscheme 2027: 26 July to 12 August

Each summer, CCPS runs a programme of carefully planned playscheme days, themed weeks and special events. These include in-house activities, swimming sessions and small group trips, all delivered in a supportive and inclusive environment where children feel understood and valued. 2027 will be our 50th Anniversary year so we will be having a HUGE party as well

Applications for places are expected to open in February/ March 2027. Full details will be shared here when available. You can be put on our waiting list by emailing ccpsorganiser@gmail.com.

Our dates for Summer 2027 are Monday 26^th July – Thursday 12^th August

What we offer at CCPS

Our playscheme offers meaningful experiences for children and young people, while providing highly valued respite for parents and carers during the school holidays.

Summer holiday playscheme for children and young people aged 5–18 with EHCPs
Respite care delivered by trained teenage helpers and experienced adult volunteers
1:1 and 2:1 support available where required
Daily programme of play, activities, swimming and trips
Safe, structured and inclusive environment focused on confidence and enjoyment

Children and young people

We support children and young people aged 5–18 with additional needs and EHCPs, offering opportunities to play, build friendships and enjoy new experiences in a safe and understanding setting.

Parents and carers

CCPS provides trusted respite care that families value highly. Parent and carer feedback highlights the reassurance, understanding and consistency our provision offers throughout the summer holidays.

Volunteers

Our playscheme is powered by volunteers. Teenage helpers aged 14–18 are trained to support and play alongside the children they work with, while adult volunteers bring valuable experience and long-term commitment to the charity.

What families say about CCPS

Families regularly share how much they trust and value the care provided by CCPS. The relationships built, the consistency of our team and the positive experiences offered make a meaningful difference to both children and their families.

This playscheme has been a total life saver in the summer holidays. My daughter absolutely loves it, she is non-verbal and has no communication, but I know when I see the photos she is loving it!

When I think of Playscheme I think of fun and enjoyment. I enjoy every minute I'm there and I think it's an amazing opportunity to contribute to the community and help others. I always get an incredibly rewarding feeling after every day and I feel thankful that I got the opportunity to help.

My son has Down's Syndrome. He's now a young man of thirty-two. From the ages of 5 to 19 he benefited from this brilliant scheme!

Another amazing year at CCPS. One eldest son’s third year and our youngest’s first. Both have had a fabulous time. The teamwork is exceptional!! The time and effort the staff and volunteers put into this scheme is amazing!

This is such a great, educational and fun experience! I did all three weeks last year and it was the best possible way I could’ve spent some of my summer, helping people and making friends whilst having a great time! I was even making a great difference!

There is nothing else like CCPS and it truly is a lifeline for parents and a fantastic experience for the children. I truly don’t know what I would do without it.

I am amazed at the dedication, love and energy of everyone who is involved in CCPS. What an amazing resource, allowing families and siblings respite, whilst supplying a wide variety of activities, fun and a lot of laughter for the child. I can't praise this scheme enough, to see the smiling faces, children and helpers at collection time is so uplifting.

Life at CCPS

From themed activity days to swimming sessions and group trips, life at CCPS is full of fun, laughter and friendship. Our focus is always on creating safe, happy experiences that children and young people look forward to each summer.

Supporting CCPS and our work

It costs over £50,000 each year to run CCPS. Fundraising plays a vital role in enabling us to continue providing high-quality, inclusive support for around 100 children and young people every summer.

Ways to support include:

Over 45 years at the heart of the community

Formed in the summer of 1977, CCPS has supported generations of families in Worthing and surrounding areas. Many of our trustees began their journey with the charity as teenage volunteers themselves, reflecting the strong sense of continuity, care and community at the heart of CCPS.

If you would like to find out more about CCPS, upcoming events or how to get involved, we would be very happy to hear from you.