Charity | Posted on October 20th, 2025 | return to news

Dorset disability charity receives £5,000 donation

The Christchurch Magdalen Trust kindly donated the funds to Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s Disability Charity.

A local disability charity has received a kind donation totalling £5,303 from The Christchurch Magdalen Trust.

The trust provides charitable funds to help Christchurch residents who are in need or have an illness or disability. It made the donation to Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s Disability Charity, which will use the money to support Christchurch families attending the Coping with CHAOS short break programme at The Treehouse in Hurn, at the former Adventure Wonderland site.

Coping with CHAOS (CWC) is designed to offer inclusive play and activity sessions for children and young people from birth to 18, while also supporting their families. Sessions run during school holidays, weekends, and evenings, with additional drop-in options for younger children and those who are homeschooled.

Diverse Abilities opened The Treehouse in Hurn in April 2024, making its services much more accessible to families in Christchurch. The Christchurch Magdalen Trust will allow the charity to deliver these much-needed sessions, which are a lifeline to families, who may otherwise feel isolated, exhausted and alone as they navigate bringing up a child with disabilities.

Clare Rochford, short breaks manager at Diverse Abilities, said: “These sessions are a lifeline for families who often feel isolated and overwhelmed while raising a child with disabilities. Thanks to The Christchurch Magdalen Trust, families in Christchurch can now enjoy inclusive, supportive experiences together at The Treehouse.”

The Christchurch Magdalen Trust is committed to supporting Christchurch residents in need and welcomes enquiries from individuals and organisations seeking assistance. Learn more at cmtrust.org.uk.

To find out more about Diverse Abilities and The Treehouse, visit diverseabilities.org.uk/thetreehouse.