Searchlight was founded in 1933 by Miss Muriel Powell MBE who for several years had been Matron of the Bishopstone branch of Chailey Heritage. There she cared for 100 disabled children until they reached school-leaving age and had to return to their homes. Their letters telling her that there was no place for them in the able-bodied world formed her resolve to attempt something quite new in the environment of the day.
With her savings she bought a bungalow next to the old Searchlight battery above Newhaven and went into the business of making jam and sweetmeats with three disabled young men as her staff. Wartime rationing put an end to this and Miss Powell turned to handicrafts and chair caning.
Searchlight quickly grew and in 1947 a new building opened which provided a workshop for 36 disabled men. In 1950 work started on another building which was opened in 1951 by Her Grace the Duchess of Norfolk who became a patron of Searchlight, with a further building added in 1958 for recreational purposes.
The need arose for a residential building to provide accommodation and care for the disabled men when they retired or could no longer work in the workshop. So, the money was raised and more staff employed to create the first of Searchlight’s houses.
Today we have three residential houses which accommodate 47 men and women with physical and learning disabilities and a Day Centre that enables them to undertake a variety of activities.
