a Spiral Sussex project

Planned for Brighton & Hove

Access to the South Downs — fresh air, open hills and transport that works for you.

AccessLearnExplore

We are planning accessible minibus trips from Brighton & Hove for disabled people, care homes, community groups and schools. Groups could also add an educational workshop on the Downs, led by rangers.

Register your interest

Why it matters

The Downs are right there. Getting to them is the hard part.

Most people reach the Downs by car. If you don't drive, can't use an ordinary bus, or need accessible transport and support to go, the countryside on your doorstep is effectively closed to you.

It is worst in autumn and winter, when organised trips dry up and short days and bad weather make getting out on your own harder still.

Downs for All would run through the winter on purpose.

Five people stand in a row holding hands on top of the Downs, smiling, with fields stretching out below
A Spiral Sussex art trip on the South Downs.
Two women sit on chairs on the grass at the top of the Downs, each holding up a watercolour painting of the view
Paintings made on the day.
Close-up of a hand painting blue sky in watercolour, with paint boxes and a water pot on the table
Painting the view.

Two ways to take part

Transport only, or the whole day

Both use Spiral's accessible minibuses and trained drivers, to a site on the Downs we have checked for access. We plan to start from Waterhall, a few miles north of Brighton, if our bid for the site goes through.

Option A

Transport only

You bring your team, we get you there.

Accessible transport to and from the South Downs. Your own staff support the group and run the day. We handle the trip, the accessible loading and the route to a site we've checked for access.

As well as our planned base at Waterhall, we would take groups to other visitor centres across the South Downs National Park.

Best for: care homes and supported living services with their own activity staff, and community groups already running their own programme.

Option B

Transport and educational workshop

We deliver the whole day.

Everything in Option A, plus a programme on arrival: nature education, ranger-led activity, and creative and media workshops.

Sessions are co-delivered by adults with learning disabilities on supported work placements.

Best for: schools, both SEN and mainstream, day services, and groups without their own activity staff.

Who it's for

Four kinds of group. One minibus.

  • Disabled people

    Members who want a regular trip to the Downs, with a carer travelling free.

  • Care homes and supported living

    A day out for residents without hiring a bus or finding extra staff.

  • Community groups

    Groups with their own programme who need accessible transport to get there.

  • Schools — SEN and mainstream

    Outdoor learning with the transport included. More for schools.

Schools

Outdoor learning on the Downs, with the transport included

Schools are different from our other groups, so here is what we plan to offer you.

  • Outdoor learning on the South Downs, with accessible transport included.
  • Accessible for pupils who can't use standard coach transport.
  • Sessions co-delivered by adults with learning disabilities on supported work placements.
  • Term-time scheduling.
  • Safeguarding: all staff delivering school sessions will hold enhanced DBS checks covering the child workforce.

Register your school's interest

Questions first?

01273 111 900

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Ask for the Downs for All team.

Membership

What it would cost

  • Individual membership

    £10 a month

    One trip a month. Planned price — nothing to pay until trips start.

  • Accompanying carers

    Free

    Accompanying carers always travel free.

  • Care homes, schools and organisations

    Ask us

    Get in touch and we'll build a package around your group.

Membership arrangements are being finalised, and early registrations help shape them.

Who's with us

Care homes, schools and organisations backing the scheme

Organisations that register interest can be named here, with their permission, as the scheme takes shape.

Nothing to show yet — we have only just started asking. If your care home, school or group would like to be listed here, say so when you register your interest.

Register your interest

Tell us you're interested

Nothing to pay now. We'll be in touch as the scheme takes shape. It takes about two minutes.

I'm registering as…

A guess is fine.

Which option interests you?

Access needs, when you'd like to come, questions — anything at all.

You'll see a thank-you page. We'll be in touch as the scheme takes shape. Nothing to pay now.

About Spiral

Who's behind this

Spiral Sussex has worked alongside adults with learning disabilities in Brighton & Hove for 26 years. We run day services, a radio station, film and music projects, respite breaks, and a fleet of accessible minibuses driven by MiDAS-trained drivers every day of the week.

Downs for All would put those minibuses, drivers and that experience to work getting people up the hill.

More about Spiral Sussex

Questions? Call us.

01273 111 900

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm