Bridging Schools & Service

Throughout the school year, a group of Eastbourne College pupils visit Chaseley every week to volunteer alongside our team. These young people contribute in three key areas:

Activities — pupils help residents with arts, crafts as well as games
Physiotherapy — ideal for those considering careers in healthcare or the medical field
Marketing — pupils help with social media, content development and share information about Chaseley with our broader community

As part of the Chaseley Trust’s 80th anniversary celebrations, we spoke with Anthony Lamb MBE, Head of Co-Curricular at Eastbourne College, about the value of partnerships between schools and local charities.

As one of the largest employers in the local area, the College recognises its responsibility to play an active role in the community. While schools and towns were once seen as separate — the old “town and gown” divide — there has been a growing commitment in recent years to building meaningful relationships with organisations that support people across Eastbourne and beyond.

Partnerships with charities like the Chaseley Trust also play an important role in preparing pupils for the future. Education at Eastbourne College is built around three key pillars:

Sport & exercise
Creativity
Service

Through service, pupils are encouraged to give their time and energy to help others — developing empathy, responsibility, and a strong sense of social awareness along the way.

These partnerships also benefit businesses and organisations in the wider community. By working alongside charities, they help create real opportunities for individuals to develop skills, confidence and independence. At the same time, organisations carry a wider social responsibility to support those around them — particularly at a time when many public services face significant financial pressures. Collaboration between schools, charities and businesses helps strengthen the entire community.

For young people, engaging with charities like the Chaseley Trust is also a chance to develop the “soft skills” that matter most beyond the classroom: leadership, teamwork and resilience. Looking ahead, Eastbourne College hopes to continue strengthening its relationship with the Chaseley Trust, ensuring that the spirit of service and community support remains at the heart of school life.

“There has been a growing commitment to building meaningful relationships with organisations that support people across the community.”

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award

Two sixth-formers from Eastbourne College — Olivia and Eva — have just completed a full year of volunteering here at Chaseley as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, and their assessment report makes for a very proud read.

Over the past twelve months, both have shown up with exactly the kind of attitude that makes a real difference in a place like this: positive, reliable and genuinely caring. They have grown enormously — in confidence, in skills, and in the way they connect with the people around them.

During their time with us, they supported activities here at Chaseley, got stuck into arts and crafts with residents, and even gave up an evening to pour drinks at the Mayor of Eastbourne’s Chaseley fundraising Quiz Night.

“But if you asked us what mattered most? It’s the laughs. The smiles. The moments that are harder to put in a report but mean everything to the people who live here.”

Completing a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award is no small thing — it takes commitment, perseverance and a genuine desire to give back. Olivia and Eva have done all of that, and more. We couldn’t be prouder of them both.