How the Daybreak Scheme got started
As the parents all felt that an activity scheme would benefit both the families and the children a Social Worker and a Community Nurse that specialised in learning disabilities set up a prototype scheme.

The Red Cross provided the premises and the volunteers.

For a start the scheme ran every Tuesday during the school holidays. Two years after the scheme started the local authority told the Social Worker that she was not allowed to continue as the scheme was considered a waste of resources. The Community Nurse was unable to contine without the Social Workers support.

The Parents turned to Chelmsford Mencap for their help. Eric Race had recently retired from social services management and had joined the Chelmsford Mencap committee. He recognised the value the Red Cross scheme offered to the parents and children. He set up a sub-committee of Chelmsford Mencap and the 'Daybreak' scheme was officially formed.

What the scheme achieves
The scheme allows the parents to spend 'quality time' with siblings or chill out if they wish to recharge their 'coping mechanism'. It enables the professionals to listen to parents concerns as they drop off and collect their special needs children and most importantly of all, it provides a stimulating and fun day for the children with special needs.

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