A CHARITY supporting disabled children and teenagers is opening a Crawley base which will include an inclusive play centre.

The Springboard Project is converting the former doctors' surgery in Stagelands, Langley Green, into a play centre.

As well as providing a permanent base for the existing 90 group members in Crawley, the centre will be open to the public during the week for families with young children with or without a disability. A private source is paying for the conversion and running costs.

Su Parrish, from The Springboard Project, said the charity decided to open a site in Crawley due to an increasing demand from families.

She said: "We have been based at our Horsham house for 17 years and about two to three years ago we noticed there was a growing demand from Crawley families to use our services.

"About 25 per cent of families were travelling from Crawley regularly to visit our centre during the week.

"Our activity group for young children in Crawley, based at Manor Green School, also has a waiting list for places."

Mrs Parrish revealed the group had looked at another former surgery site, although she did not specify where it is, but that this location was more suitable.

The centre will be called Springboard House Crawley – with a sensory room, soft play room, messy room, all-weather garden and kitchen.

Internal building work began last week to revamp the property and make it accessible for everyone.

There will be ramps to get into the front and also outside to the garden, automatic front doors, changing areas downstairs, a lift and hoists to support children with mobility issues.

The Springboard Project has been supporting Crawley families for more than five years and is home to two existing groups in the town – Grasshoppers for children aged 5 to 12, and Buddies for 12 to 18-year-olds with disabilities.

The Grasshopper group will be run every Saturday and also during school holidays.

The Buddies group is run by peer-mentoring volunteers and is designed to help members develop independence and improve social skills.

An activity the charity plans at the Crawley site for its teenage members is for them to go shopping at Langley Parade and then cook a meal at the centre.

The new base will also be open to members of the existing site in Horsham, which will remain open. The play centre is due to open next spring.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has demanded urgent action at Francis Court in Copthorne – formerly Orchid View – after witnessing a shortage of qualified and skilled care staff on shifts. Inspectors also noted a lack of support in the form of training for employees and criticised the home for not notifying the body of allegations of abuse made against a staff member.

The CQC carried out an inspection on September 13 after several anonymous calls from staff with concerns about staffing levels.

Inspectors found there were "not enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs" and that it had a "moderate impact" on residents.

On the day of the inspection a staff member, who was in their second week of employment, was working by themselves on the first floor, supporting five residents. An employee told the inspectors: "Morale is so low at the moment that sickness and staff not turning up for shifts has become a real problem, you just don't know who you are going to be working with, there is just no stability."

A high use of agency staff has meant consistent care cannot always be provided, according to the report that was published in October. It also states that a shortage of qualified care staff meant "people were placed at risk of inappropriate care".

Inspectors saw evidence that staff had raised concerns with the manager about inadequate staffing levels but had not had a response and so raised it with senior management.

There was, however, evidence the issue was being looked at, at the time of the inspection. The report added that despite shortages staff had a good rapport with residents. The CQC gave the home until October 31 to outline what action was being taken to address the inspectors' concerns and has since carried out a further inspection. A spokesman for the CQC said a further report was still being prepared and details could not be released at this stage on whether the home has a sound plan in place.

A Care UK spokesman said: "We accept some aspects of care and administration have not reached the high standards we demand and our residents and their families deserve and would like to say sorry for any concern that this has caused. We are confident that the shortcomings will be resolved quickly."

Orchid View was shut down in October 2011 and reopened as Francis Court by a new provider, Care UK, in February 2012.

An inquest into the deaths of 19 residents at Orchid View concluded on October 18 with the judgement that poor care had contributed to five of them.

Where did it all go wrong for Richie Barker at Crawley Town? We take a look at his 15 months as Reds manager.

August 7, 2012: Crawley appoint Richie Barker on a two-year deal after agreeing compensation with Bury. Barker: "This is a fantastic opportunity and Crawley are a club on the up."

August 8, 2012 – Steve Coppell: "We are at a relatively young stage of our development as a Football League club and Richie is an excellent fit for the club."

Aug 14, 2012 – Barker wins his first game in charge against Millwall on penalties in the Capital One Cup.

Aug 18, 2012 – Barker guides Crawley to a 3-0 win over Scunthorpe United in his first league game.

Aug 24, 2012 – Swansea City's Joe Walsh is Barker's first signing, soon followed by Mike Jones.

Aug 28, 2012 – Crawley knock out another Championship outfit in the Capital One Cup in the shape of Bolton Wanderers.

Oct 13, 2012 – Barker faces former side Bury at home and leads the Reds to a 3-2 win.

Jan, 2013 – Barker loses influential midfielder Hope Akpan to Reading, while Claude Davis, Michel Kuipers and John Akinde all leave in the transfer window. However, he brings in Lateef Elford-Alliyu, Matt Sparrow, Jamie Proctor, Mustapha Dumbuya and Connor Essam.

April 27, 2013 – Crawley finish tenth, on 68 points, in Barker's first full season in League One, just six points off a play-off spot. The Reds won 18 games, drew 14 and lost 14.

Aug 3, 2013 – Crawley kick off the new season with a 3-2 win over Coventry City at home.

Nov 9, 2013 – Crawley scrape a 2-1 win over non-league outfit Hednesford Town in the FA Cup on the back of four straight defeats.

Nov 26, 2013 – Barker's last game in charge is a goalless draw at home to Swindon Town.

Nov 27, 2013 – Barker's contract at the club is terminated after nearly 16 months in charge. Barker won just six in 21 games in all competitions this season.

Nov 28, 2013 – Assistant Anthony Williams follows Barker out.

CRAWLEY U14s made it three wins from three in the league this season with a victory as they beat Hasting & Bexhill 25-22.

Hastings kicked off to Crawley, who received the ball well, but unfortunately the ball was turned over and one of the Hastings centres managed to score.

Crawley, not disheartened, took the game to Hastings, with Charles Dennis scoring his first try for the club. Crawley, from the restart, pushed on, driving a maul over the line for Callum Pither to score. Ricky Vasconcelos also scored a try to make it 15-5 at half-time.

After the break, Hastings scored a couple of tries and added a conversion to go in front. There was a yellow card for Crawley for two high tackles, which Hastings took full advantage of with another score.

Crawley tightened up with Vasconcelos outpacing the defence to score his second of the day, earning the bonus point. After this, it was the visitors' turn to see yellow for persistent offending. Crawley kept the pressure up and put together the best move of the match between Charlie Morgan-Smith, Zak O'Donnell, Vasconcelos and Nick Barrow, with Barrow going over and managing to get the ball down.

Crawley went in front with only a few minutes to go, making it three from three in the league this season.

CRAWLEY played their best rugby of the season as they secured victory over Hove on Saturday.

Both teams had won seven and lost two in the league, so it promised to be a close encounter.

It took 15 minutes for the young Crawley team to test the home side.

They found a weak link in the opposition forwards' first-phase capability, pouncing on their first visit into Hove territory.

An error from the home side saw the ball shipped quickly to wing Steve Wilson, who outstripped the defence for the first score. Alf Spurgeon added the two points to take advantage.

The referee then awarded a penalty try and Spurgeon put Crawley 14-0 ahead.

Blaise Salle made a characteristic break in the centre and galloped 30 metres to touch down.

Then, right on the break, Matt Lane-Miller, in a rare outing for the first team, crossed the line and ended any real hope of the home team winning the game.

Spurgeon converted to make it 31-0 at half-time.

Crawley spent much of the second half in their own territory, but they did break free after 55 minutes, Lane-Miller slotting a penalty to extend their lead.

After this score Crawley took their foot off the gas, as the home side tried anything to get back into the game. Their tactics succeeded as they scored three unconverted tries in the last 20 minutes. There were strong displays all around from Crawley but Ali Moffatt and Salle stood out for their ability to turn defence into attack so quickly.

Crawley: Lane-Miller, S Wilson, Salle, Moffatt, L Wilson, A Spurgeon, Searle, Riley, Mansfield, Garry, Attew, Gilliat, Dean, Gosling, Spurgeon, Hewitt, Blythman, Turner.

YOUTH FOOTBALL: Crawley Wasps U18 put in a gutsy performance at Eastbourne, coming away with a 4-1 win to remain unbeaten this season.

Despite going into the match with only ten players, Wasps created some good chances, and efforts by Emily Robinson and Rebekah Dunt were saved by the Eastbourne keeper.

However, on 15 minutes, Wasps' persistence paid off when Rachel Steer beat two players and her low cross was turned in at the far post by Dunt.

Eastbourne tried to respond but their attacks were snuffed out by Wasps defenders Jaime Parker, Steph Cox, Maddy Burnage and captain Ashleigh Miller.

As Wasps broke again, a Dunt shot was saved but the rebound was forced home by Grace Jeffrey. Dunt got her brace to leave the half-time score 3-0.

The second half was a real demonstration of determination as Wasps resumed with only nine players due to Miller being taken ill.

Eastbourne made the numerical advantage tell when, following a wave of attacks, Wasps keeper Hannah Sillince was helpless to stop a fierce shot.

Wasps had spells of possession and, with a rare attack by Dunt and Robinson, set up Siobhan Miller, who shot from the edge of the penalty area and into the roof of the net to take the three points.

CAPTAIN Lee Carney believes Three Bridges have the quality of at least a mid-table side after the addition of three new players this week.

Manager Paul Faili has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his squad, and he has got his wish, securing the services of former Crystal Palace striker Bayan Fenwick, former Crawley Town winger Jon Dollery and Matt Daniel, another winger, who joins from Worthing.

And although the three made their debut in a 3-1 defeat by Faversham Town on Saturday, Bridges' fifth consecutive loss, Carney believes the side are looking more competitive.

"It was a massive improvement in our performance on Saturday," Carney explained.

"In just one game with the new signings it made a big difference so I really think we will kick on from here.

"They add a lot more shape to the team and to have two natural wingers is something we have wanted for a while, as well as a number ten to support Elliott Romain.

"Before, we also had a really small squad so now we can make tactical substitutions to change games."

And Carney believes the inclusion of two former pros in the team has give Bridges a lift.

"We need time for the team to gel, but we are looking like a mid-table side now, given a bit of time," Carney said. "The new players have great credentials; Jon Dollery is exactly what we wanted – natural winger.

"He is normally wide right but can play on the left as well.

"Bayan Fenwick is just top draw. He hasn't played a lot this season, but even in one game you could see the ability he has. We needed someone to support Elliot and I think he'll be great at that.

"We've been looking for someone to play on the left wing for a while now so we were pleased to get in Matt Daniel, and then we sign Owen [Roberts], the centre-half, last week, so we have improved all the areas we needed to."

THEY are not turning into Stoke City quite yet, but Crawley Down Gatwick caretaker manager Steve Robinson believes he has given his side a more physical edge with the addition of two new strikers.

Robinson has signed former Barnet professional Luke Medley and Stevenage academy player Alex Cathline, with the pair making an immediate impact as the Anvils picked up their first win since October 8 on Saturday.

Crawley Down came from a goal behind to beat Redhill 2-1, Cathline netting the first.

"They have added something different up front. We weren't really asking a lot of questions of centre-halves before," Robinson, who is a defender himself, explained. "If you have two forwards who are keeping the defenders busy then they will be focused on them and it allows the midfielders more time and space.

"Alex is on loan from Stevenage, he's only 17 but he's a bit of a man-mountain. He's 6ft 3in and about 14 stone, but he's not fat, just well-built. Not something defences enjoy.

"And Luke isn't much smaller; he's about 6ft 1in as well."

The Anvils travel to Kent to face Faversham Town on Saturday, a side traditionally known for their physical, direct football, but Robinson is confident his side will now more than hold their own.

"All of a sudden, I've brought in a few lads and they have played at a higher level and are a bit more physical, and we're looking stronger as a team," Robinson explained. "They don't mind putting in a tackle and can't be outmuscled by defences, and teams might be looking at us and thinking we are a bit more of a match physically. But that doesn't mean these players can't play as well; they're good footballers.

"At the start of the season we had a lot of technically good players, but some of them were quite slight but now I think we have a bit more balance."

And after earning his first points in management, Robinson is hoping to see his side build on the result.

"I think the lads got the rewards for their hard work on Saturday," he said. "We controlled the game so I think anything other than a win would have been really disappointing for the team.

"The way we are playing it was vital to get some points on the board, and now hopefully, as long as we continue playing well, we can build some confidence and maybe work towards going on a bit of a run."

JOHN GREGORY says Crawley Town need to stop thinking of themselves as a small club, insisting they could be in the Championship this time next season.

Many have spoken about taking Crawley Town into football's second tier, but few have done so with such confidence as Gregory, who was unveiled as the club's new manager on Tuesday morning.

Within minutes of being unveiled, Gregory spoke to the waiting press of his ambitions for the club and made no secret of his determination to see the Reds swiftly climb the League One table.

After a run of indifferent results under former boss Richie Barker, and a defeat on Saturday at Crewe Alexandra, Crawley sit 15th in League One, nine points off the play-off places but just five off the relegation zone.

But former Aston Villa and Derby County boss Gregory believes Crawley need to stop thinking of themselves as a non-league club who have overachieved and start targeting another promotion.

"The club are a League One team on merit, they (the board) don't want to think 'We're only little old Crawley and we've come a long way from the Conference'. We are a League One club," he stated. "We are here now in League One and we still have an opportunity to go up the table. Play-offs isn't beyond us, getting into the top two, automatic promotion, isn't beyond us. It isn't beyond this football club.

"If we have a great run over the next month, come the January transfer window, our board are looking at the Championship. That's where they want to be, which is music to my ears. That's our aim, that's what we want to do."

And the play-offs is the "minimum" aim for Gregory, who has signed an 18-month deal at Crawley.

"I'd love to make [my contract] longer; if I make it longer it means we have done a good job," he said. "Anything can happen over the next six months. If we finish this season off well we can make the play-offs, which is the minimum really, that's my ultimate aim – to get into the play-offs this season. It isn't beyond us."

CRAWLEY Town executive Michael Dunford explained that he was not surprised that Steve Coppell left his position as director of football this week, stating that the club is in a different position from when the former Crystal Palace manager joined.

Coppell was appointed as director of football in the aftermath of Steve Evans' decision to leave the club in April 2012, with the former Manchester united winger then helping coach Craig Brewster guide Crawley into League One.

Coppell stayed at the club during Richie Barker's time as manager, but it was announced he had left the Broadfield for good on Monday, following Barker's sacking last Wednesday.

"Steve has done a fantastic job for this club and our front door is always open to him," Dunford said.

"I spoke to him [on Monday] but nothing stays the same in football.

"He did an excellent job but we have an experienced manager now, when Steve joined us we didn't enjoy that.

"Richie was still learning the game and Steve came in and helped take us up, with Craig Brewster, into League One. And he will be thanked for the rest of his life by Crawley Town fans for doing that for us."