It was announced in the New Year’s Honours that the Queen has awarded an OBE to Geoffrey Davison, who together with his wife Judith, founded the Norfolk based charity Break in 1968.  

Their original vision was to provide special respite care and holiday provision, for children and young people with learning and behavioural difficulties and complex physical disabilities, which at that time were not being catered for.  

Meeting the unmet needs of young people and families remained at the heart of Geoffrey’s vision and continues to motivate the work and development of Break.  Geoffrey became its first Chief Executive in 1974, giving up a secure job to bring his young family to Sheringham to develop a range of new services for young people and families.  He led the charity for 30 years until his retirement in 2004.  Since then he has continued his involvement with Break as its President.  

Geoffrey was passionate in making sure that as the charity grew the quality of care offered to those in need was never compromised.  A number of homes for children were established, a residential family assessment centre, a day care centre for those with learning difficulties and a respite care centre for children with autism.

Canon Leslie Morley, a long serving trustee and the first Chair of Break, saw at first hand the formation and growth of Break and worked closely with Geoffrey and his wife Judith:

“Geoffrey and Judith Davison made considerable personal sacrifices to set up Break and run it over the next 30 years. They were acutely aware of the difficulties that beset some of the most disadvantaged children and families and the pressures that could build up to breaking point. They took on and developed a range of services over the years, all aimed to help such families and their children to secure a better future for their lives. I am delighted that Geoffrey's life's work has been publicly recognised by the award of this well-deserved honour.”

Malcolm Pim, a former senior manager with Norfolk Social Services who worked closely with Geoffrey, welcomed the award:

 “I developed an enormous respect for the charity and, in particular, for Geoffrey’s vision, determination, persistence and professionalism. As a local authority officer, I knew that the services provided by Break would be of the highest quality.  Geoffrey went out of his way to develop services which the local authority needed but were not able to provide themselves.  Geoffrey also had an international perspective.  I recall Geoffrey’s involvement in a project bringing over children from the area of Chernobyl - in the then Soviet Union - where a nuclear accident occurred in 1986.

Geoffrey gave the greater part of his working life to founding, developing and maintaining this exceptional charity without seeking personal publicity or recognition.  I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the recognition now which an honour would bring.”

Maureen Gardiner, Chair of Break, also welcomed this public recognition for the life and work of Geoffrey Davison.

“I am amazed by how much Geoffrey and Judith did over the years, the challenges they faced and their indomitable determination to meet the needs they saw. I am also very aware that they led Break with a strong sense of mission and high standards that attracted talented and experienced people who wanted to share their vision and work with them. They have given us an organisation to be proud of, which still strives to live up to their values and commitment."

On hearing of the honour, Geoffrey said, “I am delighted to receive the award and see it as a tribute to the ongoing excellence of Break's work”.