From 1946 to today

Dr Ludwig Guttmann was Chaseley’s first medical consultant. His ideas went on to shape modern neurological rehabilitation, leading to the creation of the National Spinal Injuries Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and, later, the Paralympic Games. At Chaseley, his belief that people should be supported to live full, active lives continues to guide how care is delivered today.

Chaseley is a distinctive, independent 55-bed nursing home, owned and run by the charitable organisation, The Chaseley Trust. We specialise in long-term, complex nursing care for adults with neurological conditions, including acquired and traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, and progressive conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, and Huntington’s disease.

Set in a historic house overlooking the Eastbourne coast, Chaseley is one of only a small number of charity-owned care homes in the UK focused solely on neurological disability. Alongside long-term residents, we also support people from the wider community through specialist neuro-physiotherapy services.

Our residents are a diverse group of individuals aged between 24 and 90, drawn from across the UK by Chaseley’s experience and reputation. Each person arrives with their own life story — a jockey injured at work, a football fan hurt during a family day out, a musician living with advanced MS, a young business owner whose life changed in an instant after a road traffic collision. These are not conditions we care for; they are people we support.

Care at Chaseley is personalised and practical. Skilled nursing is combined with rehabilitation, therapy, social activity, and everyday routines that help people keep control, confidence, and connection. Independence looks different for everyone, and our role is to support each person in the way that suits them best.

Volunteers play an important part in life at Chaseley. Whether helping with activities, sharing conversation, or simply sitting together watching the sea, their time makes a real difference.

Nearly 80 years on, Chaseley’s ethos remains the same: care rooted in respect, individuality, and humanity. If you’d like to learn more about our work or get involved, we’d be pleased to hear from you.

For fundraising ideas, donations or volunteering, please email fundraising@chaseleytrust.org

“Some of the chaps at Chaseley were reputed to have been fighter pilots. The invalid carriages of that era were powered by petrol engines and they somehow tuned them up to go faster than was allowed. I remember seeing them hurtling three-abreast on the seafront heading down towards the Wish Tower from the bottom of Bolsover Road with blue smoke coming from the exhausts.”

Michel Ockenden, long-term Meads resident

Two of our original “Chaseley Boys” celebrating.