Town centre child care hub to close

Staff and service users at the disabled centre Hop, Skip and Jump,which is searching for new premises because of Swan Walk redevelopment. Pic Steve Robards SR1702399 SUS-170213-094828001

Hop, Skip and Jump has announced it will be shutting its premises in Swan Walk shopping centre on Friday (June 9).

The charity, which provides respite care for families with disabled children, was officially opened by Samantha Cameron, wife of former Prime Minister David Cameron, in 2015.

After two successful years at its temporary premises in the centre it has now decided to close as it looks for a bigger site.

DM1519922a.jpg Samantha Cameron launches new Hop, Skip and Jump Foundation Centre for disabled children in Swan Walk shopping centre, Horsham. Meeting Laura Moore and son William 6. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150728-155220008

Hayley Stone, chief executive officer for the Hop, Skip and Jump Foundation, said: “I would like to thank all the staff at Swan Walk for their fabulous support during our time in Horsham and of course our own staff, volunteers and families.”

The facility was the second of its kind in the country and due to its success the foundation has opened four more hubs across the UK.

It also ran a charity shop in Swan Walk which raised more than £2,200.

To celebrate its time in the centre the charity will be hosting a farewell party with tea and cakes on Friday.

“All are welcome to come along and celebrate their time at Swan Walk, whose staff have been fantastic to us,” Hayley added.

Gill Buchanan, Swan Walk Centre Manager, said: “Having been introduced to the inspirational leaders at Hop, Skip and Jump the team at Swan Walk was delighted to be able to help them out with a temporary home to enable them to establish their offer whist looking for their long-term premises.

“We have only just been advised of their decision to close this month but we wish them all the very best for the future and hope that they are able to secure a new and permanent Sussex base with outside space as soon as possible so that they can continue their fantastic work.”

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