The Story of Break

1968

Geoffrey Davison, his fiancee Judith and their friend Leslie Morley registered the Davison Morley Trust, initially renting holiday accommodation in Cornwall and Norfolk.  They recruited volunteers to help but demand soon outstripped resources and the search began for a permanent site.

1971

The first permanent holiday centre was purchased from The Children's Society in Hunstanton, Norfolk and the Trust’s name was changed to Break.

1973

After two years of high demand from parents, carers, and Social Services, Break purchased two more buildings, in Sheringham, Norfolk. The larger building was opened as 'Rainbow', providing holidays and respite breaks for people with disabilities.

1974

A major appeal was launched to raise money for refurbishment of the second building in Sheringham. This project was adopted by the children’s TV programme, 'Magpie'. Their Christmas appeal raised over £80,000 to turn the building into a children's home, which was named Magpie.

1975

Break opened its first residential children's home in the refurbished Magpie building, creating a safe and stable environment for children who were unable, for a variety of reasons, to live with their own families.
Over the next nine years Break focused on maintaining and strengthening its facilities and services. The charity also began to extend fundraising activities to subsidise the cost of the holidays. Several charity shops were opened and the income raised from these was used to provide much needed subsidies.

1984

DayBreak was opened in Sheringham, supporting local adults with learning disabilities and providing them with empowering day support.

1985

Rowntree Mackintosh launched a 'Kit Kat' wrapper appeal, using their well known slogan, 'Have a Break – Have a Kit Kat.' The appeal raised around £300,000 to build on-site swimming pools at our holiday centres. The first pool opened at The Sandcastle Holiday Centre, Hunstanton.

1988

The second swimming pool was opened at Rainbow Holiday centre in Sheringham.

1995

The Children Act 1989 dictated a change of provision for children in care, and the number of children at Magpie reduced from 14 to 7. With the house too large, the search began for a smaller, more suitable property. A house was found in a quiet street in Sheringham. Almost immediately the Magpie building had a change of use, providing a much needed Residential Family Assessment Centre for short-term placements contracted to Norfolk Social Services.
A holiday chalet in Westward Ho! was donated to Break by a generous supporter of our work. This was used as a low-cost facility for families with a variety of special needs, including those on a low income.

1996

A Leaving Care unit situated on a new housing estate in Sheringham opened, helping young people leaving care to learn the skills required for independent living. This was the only professionally staffed unit of its kind in Norfolk.

1997

Norfolk Social Services expressed interest in setting up and running a purpose-built short-stay respite centre and a longer-term home for young people with learning disabilities. Break would manage the project and formed a partnership with Norfolk Autistic Society, Norfolk Social Services, Orwell Housing and South Norfolk District Council expecting the whole project to take several years to complete.

1999

Break's contract to provide day support to adults with learning disabilities in North Norfolk was extended and six 'community' groups were set up around Norfolk.

2002

Break was awarded contracts for three further children’s homes. The first one opened in Kings Lynn, West Norfolk. A second property was found on the outskirts of Norwich, and following major refurbishment, opened later that year. 2002 also saw Social Services withdraw the funding of the Leaving Care facility, allowing Break to change the use of the building into another children’s home, bringing the total to four.
The Devon holiday chalet was becoming dilapidated. With major development to the entire holiday site, Break purchased a more substantial brick-built chalet with wheelchair access, enabling this popular facility to reach a wider number of families.

2003

The long-awaited, purpose-built centres for young people with disabilities were opened in South Norfolk. Nelson Lodge provides families with regular respite for children with various levels of disability; the main group coming from those within the autistic spectrum.
On the same site, Trafalgar Lodge created a long-term home for young people with severe disabilities who could no longer be supported in their family homes.
Break was successful in a bid to Children in Need, which granted £55,000 to landscape the gardens at both centres. Specially designed seating areas, play equipment, and even a mini Grand-Prix track was installed.

2005

Another property was purchased in partnership with Wherry Housing, creating a second children’s home in West Norfolk.
The demand for family holidays and the use of our Westward Ho! Chalet was outstripping resources and the decision was made to purchase a second chalet on the same site. This had no wheelchair access but could sleep larger family groups.

2006

The Sandcastle holiday centre, closed due to the changing needs of service users, maintenance needs and expensive regulatory implementations. Many clients transferred their annual holidays to Rainbow.

2007

Break took a small local charity under its wings. The Ashcroft Project, based in Wymondham, Norfolk, provided specialist care and rehabilitation for women with enduring mental health problems. This care includes residential care, supported housing and day services. Break will continue to maintain and develop these services

2008

Break celebrated forty years of providing a range of care and support services for children, adults and families with complex care needs.

2009

Hazeldene, Break's second Family Assessment Centre opened in Lowestoft providing much needed support for families in crisis in the area.

Break took on a Transition Support Worker

Break organised and hosted a national conference - 'Home Truths' on positive outcomes in residential childcare.

2010

Break opened Schofield House, a training and development centre in Norwich providing internal and external training courses.

Morley House in King's Lynn opened in the February.  A six bedded unit providing short stay and weekly boarding for children with complex care needs.  Later in the year Morley House had a Royal visit from the Countess of Wessex.

In September, DayBreak closed after 25 years of providing day care for adults with learning disabilities.

Over the years the number of retail outlets has steadily increased and the opening of a shop in Taverham took the number to 39.  An ebay site was also set up.

Break took the Norfolk charity, Embrace into its portfolio of services - supporting pregnant teenagers and teenage parents.

In December Break took over a service providing short breaks at a purpose built lodge at Fritton Lake on the Somerleyton Estate.  This service recently had its first inspection and was awarded an 'Outstanding' from Ofsted.

2011

Break hopes to develop five new children's homes over the next three years and will be opening in Thetford and March later in the year.

A therapeutic Fostering Service has been officially approved and hopes to be operational by the end of the year.