Our Story
A respite centre known as Hop Skip and Jump, which was part of a national charity and had five centres across the UK unfortunately went into administration in March 2020 meaning the Wigan branch was forced to close it’s doors. This left over 130 families without respite for their children.
Lyndsey and Demi who previously worked at Hop Skip and Jump in Wigan and Emma, a parent of a complex needs child that was a frequent attendee there, decided that they would start fundraising to see where it took them. They raised a staggering £20,000 through online raffles, family fun days and sponsored walks which then enabled them to start the ball rolling in creating their vision of BrighterDayz.
In April 2021 the lease was signed for the premises in Stephens Way, however upon inspection the building needed a lot of renovating due to it being derelict for over 8 years, but they decided that this was the perfect place for them. So over the next few months the girls worked tirelessly every day, but with an enormous amount of support from family, friends, the local community and businesses that after five months of blood sweat and tears the doors to BrighterDayz were opened on 23rd August 2021.
We officially became a registered charity in October 2021 with Charity Commission England and Wales and following that BrighterDayz has gone from strength to strength, providing a much needed respite service for families in need across Wigan, St Helens, Leigh and surrounding areas.
We are currently full to capacity during holiday clubs and weekends, and for that reason we are in the process of taking over the lease of the upper floor in the building so that our capacity can be expanded enabling us to provide respite care for many more children who need it.
Meet the BrighterDayz Team
What Parents/Carers Are Saying…
Alex has complex health needs and disabilities and was extremely socially isolated and often used to ask me questions like’ ‘Mummy why don’t I get invited to peoples parties’, and ‘why cant I play out with my friends’. This as a parent was extremely hard to hear. BrighterDayz is a lifeline for me as a parent as I know he’s in safe hands and all of his needs are met every time he attends, the staff are so knowledgeable and experienced in working with these children. Each and every member of staff treats him as though he’s their own, this has a huge positive impact, not only on Alex’s behaviour and interactions, but also on our family as a whole.
Emma mother of Alex
I have 3 children with very different needs who have all accessed BrighterDayz and my youngest in particular has never been able to join in any other kids clubs due to his needs.
No one is turned away by this amazing team, they provide much needed respite to children from all over the North West which our families desperately need.
Mandy mother of Ben
Rhys has severe complex health needs, without BrighterDayz I would struggle to find somewhere I feel comfortable sending Rhys where he has the support and is stimulated in a equipped centre with all the facilities he needs.
The staff at the centre, are passionate, I trust them with my son and I know I can have a break whilst he is in a safe environment.
Rhys has never accessed anywhere as accepting before, the centre was the only place where he could attend. Rhys loves to be around others and being involved with social interaction.
