Be There for Break

This team of people need your help. As East Anglian children’s charity Break launches an emergency appeal after a multi-million pound loss caused by Covid, Chief Exec Rachel Cowdry explains how the team have gone that extra mile over the past year

Eighteen-year-old Hugo has been supported by East Anglian Children’s Charity, Break, for the past 10 years. And for the past two, he has been living full-time at Morley House in West Norfolk, a bespoke children’s home for children with disabilities. And he is one of the reasons why the charity – which provides a lifelong commitment to young people on the edge of care, in care and moving on from care – has launched an emergency appeal following financial losses, as a result of Covid.

The Be There for Break appeal hopes to raise money to recover some of the £2.1 million reduction in income it has suffered over the past year, as a result of its charity shops being closed and reduced income from fundraising activity.

Charity Chief Exec Rachel Cowdry says: ‘At Break we believe that young people are worth investing in and, like any good parent, Break provides love, support and guidance, as well as a pathway to independence to those who need it and for as long as they need it.

‘For many people we support, it is the first time anyone has put them first and we aim to create and become like a loving extended family to them, being there for them and making sure they know they are not alone. Now, we really need people to be there for Break, to make a donation so that we can continue our services and be there for as many young people as possible. Government grants and schemes like furlough have helped us survive the past year, but we now need people to donate and help us.’

She adds: ‘For many of the young people we support, Covid has proven their worst fear – that the world is a scary and unpredictable place, and it has only added to the barriers they face. The year has been incredibly intense for our team and the young people we support, dealing with home schooling, increased feelings of isolation and not being able to provide opportunities for those ready for the workplace or next step.

‘But I am so proud of Break’s incredible team who have gone the extra mile in delivering our vital services, and the team has also been innovative in coming up with fun ideas to engage everyone, such as Motivational Monday, Workout Wednesday, providing activity packs for our community, meal kits and online courses.’

While the charity, whose wraparound support means that every member of the Break family benefits from therapeutic and emotional wellbeing support and services, acknowledges that this year will be difficult, it also has some positive and exciting initiatives on the radar. Rachel says: ‘We have just reopened our charity shops and have restarted our Coffee Break van, which enables young care leavers the chance to engage in real work and learn new skills. Plus, we have a new initiative, Building Futures, to provide workshops and skills in a career in construction.

‘Of course, we also have GoGoDiscover T.rex trail this summer, but we really need support now so that we can continue with the vital services we offer.’

People can support Break by donating online at www.break-charity.org or calling Break on 01603 670109, choosing to make a one-off donation or become a regular gift giver. Businesses and communities can also support Break through fundraising or choosing Break as its charity of the year.

Break is also recruiting and looking for people who can support it in positively impacting young lives, professionally or in a voluntary capacity. People interested in being part of the Break family should visit www.break-charity.org to find out more.

£20 pays for an individual arts and crafts therapy pack for a vulnerable child, while £120 provides a tailor made skills workshop for a young person – from bricklaying to helpful home maintenance, even barista training taster sessions in the Coffee Break van, providing valuable life skills and employment opportunities.

For more information about Break visit break-charity.org

Case study

Hugo – by his grandma Ann:

When a family breaks up, the consequences can be devastating, especially with a child that has severe learning difficulties and other issues. Hugo came to live with me and my husband when he was six-years-old, but I was in my late sixties and my husband in his early seventies. We needed some respite care and Break offered Hugo a place at Morley House, which quickly became his second home.

Hugo lived with us full time in the school holidays and at weekends, which meant giving up our social life as our lives revolved around Hugo’s needs. The Break team helped make our new normal feel normal, made sure we did not feel isolated and helped us cope with the desperate times and the unknown. There was always encouragement and a listening ear, and this was priceless. 

Two years ago, Hugo moved in to Morley House full time. I thought this was going to be traumatic for myself and Hugo, but my fears were unfounded, as he is happy to come home for a visit, but equally happy and excited to go back to Morley House when his lift arrives.

Hugo’s stay at Morley House has been so positive and he has learnt to be more independent, how to cope and manage his emotions, and learn to share and have empathy for others. He had to deal with the loss of his grandad, and, with much support from Break, coped really well. His experience at Morley House has given Hugo a quality of life I could never have given him.

Everyone has found the lockdown and restrictions hard so, for children with little understanding about what Covid actually means, it has been very difficult. The staff have worked so hard to ensure its young people were kept safe and secure, with lots of indoor activities. As soon as it was safe, Hugo was brought to see me in an outdoor venue and the boy’s wellbeing, mentally and physically, was always the top priority.

We are now facing a new chapter in Hugo’s life, as he is now going to be moving on. Break are working sensitively with Hugo in preparation for this transition and I am so grateful that Hugo is receiving all this support, as it would have been a daunting task for me to face alone.

I know the past 12 years would have been so different for me and Hugo without the support, help, love and care of Break, who have been there for us every step of the way. A big thank you to Break for all your help on this journey.

Hugo – by Morley House Manager Sophie:

‘We love the children we support, such as Hugo, who came to live with us aged eight. I’ve known him for 10 years, and he can mostly be found in my office, and is now moving on from Break. Now he is 18, we are getting him ready for the next phase of his life. He is ready and has been really involved in the process. As he is non-verbal, we have provided him with lots of ideas for his new room and he has chosen the colour he wants, and we have provided lots of stories and opportunities for him to see where he will be living. Of course, we will stay in touch with him – how can you love a child for ten years and just say goodbye?’