The Sunnybank Trust

The Sunnybank Trust provides services and activities for people with learning disabilities. Our work commenced in 1989 with the closures of the five old hospitals, the re–homing of the hundreds of hospital patients and the development of community houses.

Today, supported by 130 volunteers and 5 part time paid staff, we provide opportunity, friendship and, when necessary, a voice to over 300 people with learning disabilities living in and around the Borough of Epsom and Ewell.

The work of the Trust's Chairman and Founder Tom Rhind–Tutt, was recognised when he was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), for his devoted services through The Sunnybank Trust to the learning disability community of Epsom. 

Friends Programme

We provide a long-term, dedicated friend to one specific individual or home.  Regular visits, support and local outings have many benefits for both the friend and befriender.  Our additional Pen Friend Scheme offers residents the pleasure of receiving written communications throughout the year. 

The Community Church holds a weekly service that is run by our volunteers for some of the residents of local homes who would otherwise not have the oppportunity of attending a service.

With the support of the staff at Zurich, we are now reaching over 40 people through our Pen Friend Scheme.  Many of these men and women would otherwise have no one to remember Christmas and Birthdays.  This is a vital part of our services providing a very real sense of friendship and being part of the wider community. 

Kites Social Club

 Now in its’ third year, the Kites Social Club has gone from strength to strength. From the early years of simply providing a cup of tea and chat, it now offers a range of activities with over 40 people attending the club each week.   In 2008, the club invited “The Evergreen Theatre Co. to perform; for some, this was their first experience of live theatre, with over 70 club members in the audience.  Other club activities have included making jewellery, art, card designing, music making, drama, T. shirt painting as well as theme and games nights such as the ABBA and Bingo nights.

The club continues to grow and is a joyous weekly occasion both for club members and volunteers.  It is a meeting place for old friends and an opportunity to make new ones.

 Advocacy Programme

 The Sunnybank Trust Advocacy Programme provides volunteer advocates to adults with learning disabilities in the Epsom, Ewell and Leatherhead area. These at-risk people live in private care homes, Surrey County Council homes and Surrey and Borders NHS care facilities. Some will soon be moving to Supported Living settings and will need the support of advocates as they make decisions and communicate their needs and wishes to statutory authorities and care organisations.

The aim of the Advocacy Programme is to provide continuing support in achieving the justice, inclusion, respect and dignity that all members of society can expect.

The advocacy is long-term with those without family and friends involved in their lives taking priority. It follows the principles of The Advocacy Charter and is based on the citizen advocacy model.

 Community Church

Although The Sunnybank Trust is a secular organisation, we provide an inter-denominational Service for the men and women with learning disabilities who currently live in community homes in Manor Park, Epsom. With the closure of the homes, we aim to continue this tradition of friendship and worship that many have grown up with, and have started a new Service at St. Barnabas Church, Epsom.

The Service is at 2.30pm on the third Sunday of each month.

 Special Projects

SHOUT 

The SHOUT project, which commenced in September 2011 and continues to expand, provides Advocacy to young people in transition from Woodlands School in Leatherhead.

 OUTREACH 

Outreach seeks to improve to quality of the home lives of over 200 clients in more than 30 Homes across our region. Outreach acts as a feeder to our other services through making Homes and their residents aware of what the Trust offers. It also seeks to improve the quality of the home lives of residents where opportunities are identified to do this.

 Volunteer Appeal

Recent findings indicate that there are at least 700 men and women with learning disabilities living in and around Epsom and Ewell. With the recent financial cutbacks, and changes many people with learning disabilities are at greater risk of becoming more isolated from the local community. As a consequence, the Sunnybank Trust is already experiencing an increase in the demand for its services such as its weekly social club and Friendship Scheme and this is going to continue.

“There are many ways people can volunteer with The Sunnybank Trusteither directly with our clients through the charity’s well-established services or behind the scenes in areas such as fundraising or marketing. We are asking people to look at their situation and see if they are able to help for five hours or more per month the difference this could make to someone’s life is tremendous,” says Tom Rhind-Tutt, Chairman  of The Sunnybank Trust.

If you would like to find out more contact the Recruitment team on 078844 255 263