Two New Bright Spaces Open for Sussex Police

The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children was delighted to open two new Bright Spaces for Sussex Police on 21 November 2019

The Bright Spaces are located in two Victim Suites in Sussex police stations. Victims and witnesses across Sussex are now able to give evidence in a safe and secure environment without having to travel vast distances or have the fear of facing their perpetrators in court. 

Katy Bourne, Police & Crime Commissioner said: “These new video links are a huge step towards ensuring that victims and witnesses are truly at the heart of the criminal justice system locally and nationally. Being able to offer a remote and safe environment ensures they are not overwhelmed whilst giving evidence and means they get a fairer opportunity of achieving justice.”

 The Foundation and its volunteers have transformed a suite of rooms to create homely and welcoming environments, which include comfortable seating and soft furnishings, and an extensive range of high quality resources, art and craft supplies, games, relaxation toys and books.

The Bright Spaces are designed to help victims feel at ease and relax, to enable them to provide their best evidence to secure criminal convictions and justice.

Mrs Bourne adds: “I can’t thank The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children enough for their generous donations that have helped to transform these suites for the vulnerable people who use them.”

The project was made possible by a combination of local fundraising by Bright Horizons’ Crawley Nursery who raised £1,200 by taking part in the 25K Thames Bridges Trek in September, and a grant from the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children.