news

Read the latest news from Amaze below.

Plus national and local SEND news for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex

Amaze challenges you to ‘reach new heights’ with South Downs and Snowdon treks

7th March 2024

Local charity Amaze is inviting local people to take on one of two thrilling challenges to raise money to support families with disabled children in Sussex.   Taking place in June and August, Amaze is looking for people to trek the South Downs or Snowdon. The charity aims to raise £2500 from both treks, which are...

International research project launched to review support for families with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

6th March 2024

Amaze will feature as a case study in the research project, which will be formally launched in Brighton this week (7 March 2024). Amaze has been selected as one of six organisations worldwide in ‘Balancing Act’, a new research project conducted by researchers from Queens University Canada. Balancing Act will look at the balance between...

Amaze seeks Trustees

28th February 2024

Amaze is a Sussex-wide charity offering a range of information, advice and support services to children and young people with additional needs, and their families.   We are seeking up to three new people living or working in Sussex to join our Board of Trustees to help ensure we make the best possible use of our...

three young men play video game at a play scheme.

Amazing Futures Holiday Scheme and new short breaks provision in Brighton & Hove

26th February 2024

Amazing Futures Holiday Scheme is for young people with SEND aged 14-25 in Brighton & Hove, with 4-hour sessions of supported fun at Portslade Village Centre on 6 days of the Easter Holidays (Tues 2 – Thurs 4 April and Tues 9 – Thurs 11 April). The scheme offers 14 places per session: 10 young...

Amaze seeks Youth Workers

19th February 2024

Amazing Futures are seeking Youth Workers for our Holiday Scheme and Bank Staff This is a zero-hours contract. Hours will be fixed for holiday schemes but are otherwise on an ad hoc basis. £14.77 – £15.81/hour, equivalent to £26,873 – £28,770 pro rata NJC Spinal Point 13-17, dependent on qualifications and experience. The holiday entitlement...

New keyworker service in Brighton & Hove

5th February 2024

A new keyworker service has recently launched in Brighton and Hove. It’s aimed at children and young people aged 0 to 25 who are autistic or have a learning disability, who are at risk of mental health hospital admission or are already in an inpatient setting. Keyworkers are responsible for making sure that children, young...

Staff and one volunteer young person pose for a photo at the welcome table

Amaze seeks Community Champions

5th February 2024

Could you offer a few hours on an irregular basis to local families with disabled children? If this sounds like you, Amaze would love to hear from you.  Amaze is a charity that gives information, advice and support to families with disabled children and young people in Sussex. We also support young people with additional...

Support for families around neurodevelopmental conditions

2nd February 2024

Amaze now has more secure funding from NHS Sussex to offer support for families with a child or young person on the local neurodevelopmental pathway (NDP) in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. This means we can continue to offer more information, training and support for parents of 0 to 25 year olds who are...

SEND reforms Change Programme rollout

2nd February 2024

Following the outcome of the SEND review, in March 2023 the government published an Improvement Plan setting out proposals for making changes to the SEND system. In the autumn, the government announced nine regional Change Programme Partners (CPPs) who will test elements of the Improvement Plan over the next 18 months to 2 years, to inform...

Amaze seeks Trust and Corporate Fundraiser

31st January 2024

Are you interested in strengthening support for parent carers and their children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex?  Trust and Corporate Fundraiser 18-21 hours per week, to be worked flexibly £29,269 – £30,296 p.a. pro rata equivalent to NJC Spinal Point 18-20 1 year...

Drusillas’ Park hosts fun day for Amaze families

4th January 2024

Drusillas’ recently invited some of the families from our befriending service to visit the park for a fun day.   The visit took place as part of our 2023 Charity of the Year partnership with Drusillas’. Families were offered free tickets to attend and had a chance to meet all the animals across the park....

Run this year for Amaze

20th December 2023

Looking for a challenge in 2024? Look no further. Help keep Amaze running this year by taking part in a running event.  Many people look at the new year as a chance to try something exciting and new. If that sounds like you, could you consider fundraising for Amaze at a running event in 2024? ...

Amaze’s Awesome Art Auction launches

30th November 2023

Are you feeling lucky? Then get ready to bid on some amazing art at Amaze’s Awesome Art Auction!    If you’re looking for a special gift this Christmas, or a piece of art to decorate your house in the New Year, then don’t miss Amaze’s Awesome Art Auction.   Launching on Thursday 30 November, our auction runs for two...

Annabel Giles

Amaze Patron Annabel Giles dies aged 64

22nd November 2023

Sally Polanski, CEO of Amaze says: “We are terribly sad to hear of the death of Amaze Patron Annabel Giles and send our well wishes to her family and those who loved her. “Annabel was a patron of Amaze for over ten years, and we are incredibly grateful for her support. This included an appearance...

Amaze seeks Young People Services Manager

14th November 2023

We are looking for a passionate and dynamic professional with experience of managing youth work or services for young people. Young People Services Manager 28 hours per week, to be worked flexibly £39,186 – £41,418 p.a. pro-rata equivalent to NJC Spinal Point 31-33 2 years fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension Working out of...

Amaze’s Awesome Art Exhibition

8th November 2023

We are thrilled to announce ‘Amaze’s Awesome Art’ – a FREE exhibition, open to the public for viewing Friday 1 December – Sunday 3 December, at Phoenix Art Space, Brighton BN2 9NB. This exhibition is curated by young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to showcase their art and highlight the Amazing Futures...

Quiet Covid-19 vaccinations this November

7th November 2023

Children and young people in clinical risk groups who live in Brighton and Hove can book a quiet Covid-19 vaccination appointment this November at Mile Oak Medical Centre and Whitehawk Family Hub (formerly Roundabout Children’s Centre). These bookable quiet sessions are for people who would like a longer appointment time in a less busy environment....

Amaze Needs Artists to Donate their work

1st November 2023

Amaze’s Awesome Art Auction needs art! Can you help? Amaze is launching an online art auction fundraiser and WE NEED ARTISTS TO DONATE THEIR WORK. Young people with special educational needs and disabilities will be donating their art, but we would like to feature lots of local artists too, to make this auction a big...

Fundraising update

10th October 2023

This summer we’ve been lucky with an amazing selection of fundraising activities taking place for Amaze. Our staff member, Boo, swam around the pier, raising over £500, Balfour Beatty took part as a team in the London to Brighton bike ride, raising over £7,000 for us, and actor Will Ellis completed the first of his...

The Big Cheer 2023

10th October 2023

Another year, another great Big Cheer! Thursday 5 October saw us come together at Komedia in Brighton for our annual night of fundraising and fun times! With huge thanks to our patron (and host for the evening), Angela Barnes, our amazing line up was; Marcus Brigstocke, Joe Foster, Ahir Shah and surprise headliner Tom Houghton....

Amaze logo and Extratime logo

Extratime youth club and participation project transferring to Amaze

10th October 2023

Over recent months we’ve been in discussions with our colleagues at Extratime about transferring Extratime’s youth club and participation project to Amaze when Extratime closes at the end of October. Extratime and Amaze have worked together to support young people with SEND and their families for many years and we share similar values and approaches...

A smiling middle-aged woman with short light brown hair, wearing a black jacket

In memory of Sinead Gillespie

9th October 2023

Amaze is very sad to share news of the death of a much-loved colleague and Amaze parent, Sinead Gillespie. Parents of adult children may remember Sinead, who helped to develop and co-deliver our Insiders’ Guide course for parents of teenagers with SEND. Sinead remarried and moved to Somerset with her son Oliver several years ago....

Megaphone and NHS logo reading Sussex Community, NHS Foundation Trust

Latest from the children’s speech and language therapy service in Brighton & Hove

29th September 2023

Clinical Service Manager, Penny Taylor, has a short update for families about the children’s speech and language therapy (SLT) service in Brighton & Hove. Hear about some new additions to the team, learn how they’re building the therapy team for the future, and their plans for DLD Awareness Day: The children’s SLT service supports children...

Flu and Covid-19 autumn vaccination programmes brought forward

25th September 2023

The autumn vaccination programmes for flu and Covid-19 have been brought forward, and people in the most at-risk groups are able to book their vaccinations now. This is a precautionary measure in line with the latest expert guidance on the new Covid-19 variant. Information about the local vaccination programme is available on the Sussex Health...

Amaze logo

Amaze seeks paid intern aged 18-25 for our peer support project in East Sussex

20th September 2023

Amaze is seeking a new intern aged 18-25 for our Amazing Futures peer support project in East Sussex. This is a fantastic opportunity for a young person to help us reach more disabled young people who need our support. The successful candidate will help our Amazing Futures team run peer support groups and activities for...

Amaze seeks Head of Fundraising and Marketing

9th August 2023

This is a fantastic opportunity for a proactive, flexible, driven, and organised person to lead our growing fundraising and marketing team, helping us to deliver on our ambitious organisational strategy and reach more families who need our support.  Head of Fundraising and Marketing  Equivalent NJC 31-38, £37,261 – £44,539 pro rata according to experience.   Amaze...

Fundraising latest

19th July 2023

We are pleased to welcome a new Fundraiser to our team, Georgina Clare. Georgina joined Amaze at the beginning of July and will be developing our individual and corporate giving. One of her first tasks will be producing the 2022/23 Impact Report, which will no doubt make her an expert on all things Amaze in...

Computer screen with Amazing Futures logo

Developing Amaze’s website for young people: how your feedback has shaped our plans so far

17th July 2023

Over the past few weeks we have been reaching out to young people with SEND to ask about their needs and ideas for the new Amaze website for young people. We’ve held focus groups in Brighton and Eastbourne, and shared a survey online which we received a fabulous 98 responses to. We held four group...

Amaze seeks a part-time Administrator

13th July 2023

Are you a highly organised and confident communicator who can help support our busy staff team in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex?  We are seeking to recruit to the following role:  Administrator  18-24 hours/week for 12 months, with the possibility of extension  Amaze hourly rate £13.71 – 14.75 (based on 35 hours week)  Equivalent...

Extratime inclusive after-school and holiday club provider announces closure

20th June 2023

It is with huge sadness that we share the news that Extratime, Brighton & Hove’s after school and holiday club provider for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, announced its closure last night. The ending of services is being managed to ensure that schemes continue this summer and into the autumn,...

Fundraising update

6th June 2023

We are delighted to announce that Amaze has launched a new weekly lottery! Players have the chance of winning a £25,000 jackpot whilst helping us fund our vital work helping families in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. Find out more about the new Amaze lottery here. In other big news, Amaze is excited to...

Amaze launches new weekly lottery

6th June 2023

Amaze is excited to offer a brand new way to support the charity – a weekly lottery!  For just £1 per play, per week, supporters could have the chance of winning up to £25,000 whilst contributing to our work supporting families to deal with the challenges they face. How it works Once you’ve filled out...

Outcome of Brighton & Hove SEND inspection by Ofsted and the CQC

1st June 2023

A few months ago, we shared that preparations were underway for a local area SEND inspection of arrangements for children and young people with SEND, in both Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. The Brighton & Hove inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was completed in March 2023, and the outcome report...

Key numbers from the past year

29th May 2023

Having just completed our annual reporting for year 2022/23, we wanted to share some of the key numbers that tell the story of Amaze services and how they are delivered and used. SENDIASS Our SENDIASS service has seen a huge number of referrals, 4586, in the financial year, up 21% from the previous year. The majority...

Amaze seeks Adviser – Family Training and Navigation Worker

25th May 2023

Could you offer information and support to parent carers of neurodiverse children and young people in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex?  Amaze are seeking to recruit to the following role: Adviser – Family Training and Navigation Worker 18 – 22 hours/week until end of March 2024, with the possibility of extension Amaze hourly rate...

Amaze seeks Fundraiser

25th May 2023

Are you interested in strengthening support for parent carers and their children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex?  Amaze are seeking to recruit to the following role: Fundraiser 18-21 hours/week for 12 months, with the possibility of extension Equivalent NJC 23-24 £30,149 – £31,099 pro...

Amaze’s website development – how your feedback has shaped our plans so far

23rd May 2023

In March, we asked you to complete a short survey about how you use the Amaze website and how you value it, as part of our plan to redevelop the site during 2023 and create a separate site just for young people with SEND. We had a great response to the survey (probably due to...

Accessing Child Trust Funds for children without mental capacity

27th April 2023

You may have read national news items recently about the difficulties families are facing accessing their Child Trust Fund (CTF)* if their child doesn’t have mental capacity. Renaissance Legal, longstanding partners of Amaze, are campaigning to simplify the process so that families don’t have to go through a costly legal process to become a Deputy...

Brighton & Hove City Council logo

Changes to the structure of SEN statutory services in Brighton & Hove

20th April 2023

Brighton & Hove City Council is restructuring its SEN Statutory Service. The council have asked us to share the following information with families about how this restructure will work and how caseloads will be allocated. “Brighton and Hove SEN Statutory Service is changing its structure to better be able to deliver services to children, young...

Brighton & Hove Ofsted SEND Inspection begins – complete the parent carer and young people’s surveys NOW!

13th March 2023

Brighton & Hove City Council today received notification from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that a local area inspection for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) will take place during the next three weeks.  The purpose of the inspection is to provide an independent, external evaluation of the...

front cover of SEND and alternative provision improvement plan, March 2023, subtitle reads: "Right Support, Right Place, Right Time" cartoon image of diverse family with speech bubble.

Government publishes SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan

2nd March 2023

This week, the government finally published its SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, in response to the Green Paper published in March 2022. You can read improvement plan in full here: SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan We haven’t had time to get our heads around all the detail yet but, as well as some...

Win one of five adult sized Raleigh bicycles!

1st March 2023

We are thrilled to be able to offer Amaze families the chance win one of five top of the range adult-sized Raleigh bicycles donated to us by o3e, a locally based team building and events company. Tickets cost just £2 each and you can purchase as many as you want to increase your chances of...

Responding to the rising mental health needs of our children and young people

27th February 2023

Our expanded Amazing Futures and Face 2 Face services. It’s no secret that there has been a massive increase in the mental health needs of our children and young people. Although it has been identified as a national and local strategic priority by the NHS and local authorities, we know services remain under huge pressure,...

Will swimming in the sea, head down with swimming cap on

Cross channel swim for Amaze, plus 65km swim round Jersey!

27th February 2023

Parent carer Will Ellis is undertaking not one but two incredible swimming challenges for Amaze! In September this year, Will is swimming 65 km around Jersey, then following that up by tackling the English Channel next year. Will and his wife received support from Amaze after their son’s diagnosis, including support to apply for Disability...

Upcoming Ofsted SEND inspections

27th February 2023

Preparations are underway in both Brighton and Hove and East Sussex for a local area Ofsted inspection of arrangements for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The purpose of the inspections will be to: provide an independent, external evaluation of the effectiveness of the local area partnership’s arrangements for children...

Latest from fundraising: Amaze wins East Sussex short breaks contract, calling all cyclists, and more.

27th February 2023

We are delighted to announce that Amaze was successful in winning the East Sussex short breaks contract to provide peer support to young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in East Sussex for the next three years. Whilst this is very welcome news, we have significant funding gaps for 2023/24. As well as...

PaCC & ESPCF seek Parent Carer Forums (PCF) Support Worker

16th February 2023

Are you interested in strengthening the voice of parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex – with the goal of improving support available for families?     Brighton and Hove Parent Carers’ Council (PaCC), East Sussex Parent Carer Forum (ESPCF) and Amaze...

nurse offers sticker to child getting covid vaccination

Quiet COVID-19 vaccination sessions for children and young people who need support during the process

2nd February 2023

NHS Sussex has just announced three dedicated ‘Quiet COVID–19 Vaccination Sessions’ across Brighton & Hove for children and young people aged 5–15 who are eligible for the vaccine but may need extra support during the process. This includes children and young people who: are neurodivergent are immunosuppressed or living with someone who is immunosuppressed have learning disabilities...

Amaze chosen as Drusillas’ Charity of the Year!

24th January 2023

We are absolutely thrilled to be Drusillas’ Charity of the Year 2023! When you visit the park, you’ll be able to donate cash to Amaze via our collection tins or by scanning a QR code which will take you directly to their Just Giving page. Look out for some exciting fundraising events happening this year...

hands in mittens holding coffee

How Amaze is supporting families during the cost-of-living crisis

29th November 2022

Statement from Amaze CEO, Sally Polanski We know that these are difficult times and we’re here at Amaze to support you as best we can.   We are making sure we keep up to date with help is available and updating our website cost-of-living advice on accessing benefits, managing debt, getting help with utility bills,...

Festive fun with your Compass Card 

29th November 2022

With the Christmas break just a few short weeks away it’s time to have some festive fun with your Compass Card. If skating is your thing you can use the card for one carer to skate free of charge, when accompanying a Compass Card holder, at Royal Pavilion Ice Rink and Worthing Ice Rink. If you prefer...

Celebrating 25 years of Amaze

21st November 2022

Amaze is celebrating our 25th birthday this month! Our story began in 1997 and 25 years later, we now support over 3,000 families every year across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex, working directly with young people with SEND as well as parent carers. We are really proud of all our achievements and have made...

Youth Voice team shares young people’s views with NHS Sussex

9th November 2022

Young people from our Amazing Futures Youth Voice team attended a recent meeting focused on changes to the health and care sector. Representatives of various Sussex-based youth organisations shared what they would change within the system and what matters to them. Jem Hadert and Pagane Gacheva represented the views of young people with SEND on...

covid vaccine sticker

Autumn Covid-19 vaccinations and flu jabs for parent carers

11th October 2022

Covid-19 autumn boosters and flu vaccines are now available for parent carers who want a vaccination. Anyone aged 16 and over who receives Carer’s Allowance, or who is the main carer of someone who is at increased risk from flu or Covid-19, is eligible for both vaccines, and this includes parent carers. Other groups are...

Mum and kids at homeschool learning together

New SENDIASS resources on home education, EOTAS and school avoidance

22nd September 2022

From calls to our advice line, we know that families need more information about home education. To answer some of your initial questions, our SENDIASS team has created three brand new fact sheets on: Elective Home Education fact sheet [pdf 760kb] Education Other Than at School fact sheet [pdf 750kb] School avoidance and attendance issues...

Latest from Face 2 Face: groups this autumn, supporting NDP families, volunteer training

15th September 2022

Our Face 2 Face befriending project is busy as ever this autumn! Our parent carer support groups are back after the summer break, plus learn about our new group for parent carers of 16 to 25 year olds, and our work with the Neurodevelopmental Pathway (NDP) Family Training and Navigation Service. We also have a...

25 years of Amaze: 25 Nov 11am to 2pm

Celebrating Amaze’s 25th anniversary

15th September 2022

Amaze is celebrating our 25th anniversary this year! Our story began in 1997 when a group of parent carers in Brighton and Hove set up the charity to help other parent carers through the challenges of bringing up a child with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 25 years later and we have expanded our...

Our advisers are friendly and welcoming

SENDIASS stays at Amaze

15th September 2022

We are delighted to say Amaze was successful in winning the contract to provide families in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove with information, advice and support (IAS) on special educational needs and disability (SEND) for the next three years. SENDIASS is a core service for parents and children and young people to be able...

New staff and structure at Amaze

13th September 2022

This new term sees quite a few staff changes at Amaze, with existing employees moving on to new roles or new team members joining us to help grow our developing services. Our new CEO, Sally Polanski, takes over from Rachel Travers this month. Rachel was at the helm for 13 years but the four years...

Covid vaccination update: autumn boosters and survey report

29th August 2022

As you may know, plans have been announced for an autumn booster vaccination programme; read on to learn who will be offered boosters. This update also includes info from when parents shared their experiences around vaccination earlier this year, via our Amaze/parent carer forum surveys. Read the report below and learn how we hope it...

Parent Carers' Council: Stronger together

PaCC seeks Participation Worker

11th July 2022

Can you help strengthen the voice of parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex?  Come and join our amazing team in helping SEND families have improved access to the support they need to ensure better lifelong outcomes Brighton and Hove Parent...

Parent Carers' Council: Stronger together

PaCC & ESPCF seek Parent Carer Forums Partnership Co-ordinator

11th July 2022

Can you help strengthen the voice of parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex?  Come and join our amazing team in helping SEND families have improved access to the support they need to ensure better lifelong outcomes. Brighton and Hove Parent...

Parent Carers' Council: Stronger together

PaCC seeks Vice-Chair

11th July 2022

Can you help strengthen the voice of parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex?  Come and join our amazing team in helping SEND families have improved access to the support they need to ensure better lifelong outcomes. Brighton and Hove Parent...

middle aged woman smiling with her arms round a teenage boy

Face 2 Face support over the summer, new group and Family Fun event

4th July 2022

Here’s what’s coming up with our Face 2 Face peer support project in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex, including support over the summer, a new group in Brighton & Hove for parent carers of 16 to 25 year olds, and our upcoming Family Fun event: Learn more about Face 2 Face peer support, or...

Amaze thanks businesses across Sussex for their support

30th June 2022

Amaze is so grateful to local businesses who are supporting our vital work with families with disabled children in Sussex. Morrisons in Eastbourne are currently hosting young people from our Amazing Futures group, who have been helping to create food bank bags whilst learning valuable job skills. The Eastbourne branch of Plumbase recently donated £315...

New East Sussex neurodevelopmental pathway family service coming soon

25th May 2022

Amaze is delighted to share the news that the East Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have commissioned us to provide a service to offer more support for families whose children are on the neurodevelopmental pathway (NDP) for conditions including autism and ADHD, both before and after diagnosis. See the Jargon Buster box below if you...

East Sussex Parent Carer Forum seeks Engagement Worker

23rd May 2022

Can you help design a new family support service in East Sussex and strengthen the voice of parent carers and SEND families in the process? (SEND is Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) East Sussex Parent Carer Forum (ESPCF) is seeking an Engagement Worker to play a key role in helping design and develop a new...

New guide to mental health for Peer Supporters

10th May 2022

Our Amazing Futures interns in East Sussex have created a brilliant guide to mental health for the young people who volunteer as Peer Supporters with the project. And even if you are not a volunteer or a young person, it’s a great resource for anyone wanting to know more about supporting young people’s mental health....

Foundations for our Future – improving mental health and wellbeing services across Sussex

10th February 2022

The number of children and young people needing help and support for their emotional health and wellbeing across Sussex is growing every year. And it isn’t surprising that this has increased further, and at a faster rate, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The majority of families contacting our SENDIASS advice line are facing mental health...

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