Our history
We are deeply proud of how far we’ve come.
What started as a small venture in 1968, offering short breaks for families with children with disabilities, has since grown into us becoming one of the leading charities in the region dedicated to supporting young people in care and those with complex needs.
Over the past fifty years, our passion for making a positive impact on the lives of children and young adults unable to live with their families, has led us to expand and evolve, opening homes, services, and support systems that have touched thousands of lives.
1968 | The Beginning
Leslie Morley, along with Judith and Geoffrey Davison, founded Break by renting holiday homes to provide much-needed short breaks for families with children with disabilities.
1969 | Our first charity shops
Break's first charity shops opened, beginning a key fundraising avenue for our services and today we have over 35 across East Anglia and the West Country.
1971 | The first permanent holiday home
We opened our first permanent holiday home in Hunstanton, helping over 400 children in its first year. The need for services like ours was so high that Break began to expand rapidly.
1975 | A Christmas appeal
With the help of the children’s TV programme Magpie, Break’s first Christmas appeal raised enough funds to open a long-term children’s home for children unable to live with their families.
1984 | The DayBreak Centre
The DayBreak Centre opens in Sheringham, providing adults with disabilities the opportunity to make friends and learn new skills.
1995 | Residential family assessment centre
We opened a residential family assessment centre to help families in need.
1996 | Supporting young people leaving care
Recognising a gap in support for young people leaving care, we opened a home specifically for their transition to independent living.
2004 | Nelson Lodge
Nelson Lodge opened, providing short residential breaks for young people aged 5-16 with complex disabilities. Many families have called this a 'lifeline.'
2009 | Transition support
Break introduced Transition Support, offering long-term help for young people leaving care, teaching essential life skills, and building a strong network by matching them with mentors.
2013 | GoGoGorillas trail
Break organized its first sculpture art trail, GoGoGorillas, marking the beginning of our legacy of successful, community-engaging trails.
2014 | More accommodation for care leavers
We began offering accommodation to care leavers, providing a safe and supportive place to live as they transition into adulthood.
2015 | Break Therapeutic Service
We merged with a local therapeutic service, combining expertise to form what is now the Break Therapeutic Service. This service helps support our children’s homes using trauma-informed therapeutic styles and works with care leavers to improve their mental health.
2017 | Staying Close, Staying Connected
We launched Staying Close, Staying Connected – an innovative service offering wraparound support to young people leaving care, helping them prepare for a secure future.
2024 | Expansion to Suffolk
Break expanded again by opening our first children’s homes in Suffolk, ensuring even more children benefit from the unique care we offer.
You can shape our future
For over 50 years Break has brightened countless futures, but the need continues to grow. Though we are proud to provide services for local councils, we rely on charitable donations to give young people the opportunities they deserve to truly thrive.
Visit our Get Involved page to see how you can contribute - whether by donating or fundraising and helps us to continue changing young lives.