The history of Brandon Trust
During 2024, we have been celebrating 30 years of Brandon Trust. In the last three decades, we have seen many changes across social care and policy, aimed at enabling more fulfilling lives for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
We have broken down the last 30 years into a timeline to highlight key moments in the social care sector and to describe Brandon’s journey through the decades.
Through the decades
1994
- Brandon Trust forms in Bristol on 28 March 1994 by the merger of the Buttress Trust and the South Avon Housing Association, with just 25 staff. First CEO: Steve Bennett.
1994 – 1995
- Long-stay institutions start to close in the Bristol area, resulting in a steady move of people from institutions into the community.
2000
- Spectrum day services transfer to Brandon and start to deliver work, learning and leisure support.
2001
- The Valuing People government initiative is launched, outlining that people with learning disabilities have the same rights as everyone else.
2005
- The Mental Capacity Act is brought in, stating that mental capacity must always be assumed unless proved otherwise. This means that doctors and families no longer make decisions for people with learning disabilities by default. Brandon reviews all care plans in light of this, helping the people we support to gain even more control over their own lives.
- Brandon begins growth in Supported Living.
2006
- Brandon begins supporting people in Gloucestershire.
2007
- The Mental Health Act 2007 strengthens the deprivation of liberty, aiming to make sure that people are supported in a way that does not restrict their freedom.
- Cornwall contract secured.
2008
- Worldwide financial crash results in reduced government funding, whilst demand for social care continues to grow.
2009
- The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is established to regulate health and social care services in the UK.
- The Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA DoLS) are introduced to provide legal protection for vulnerable people who are, or may become, deprived of their liberty in a hospital or care home.
2010
- 100 Voices launched – the first event of its kind, a conference by and for people with learning disabilities.
- Brandon begins supporting people in Wiltshire.
- Started to provide support for children.
- Further cuts in central government impacts spending at local level. Brandon rolls out a devolved structure to provide more decision-making power at local levels.
2011
- Brandon begins supporting people in Devon.
2012
- London operations start as part of a merger with Odyssey Care.
- Southern Cross, the country’s largest care provider at the time, collapses, causing shockwaves across the sector, leading to the establishment of CQC Market Oversight.
2013
- Brandon helps to launch Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Services.
- Brandon begins supporting people in Somerset.
2014
- Children and Family Act comes into force – families become central to planning health, social and educational support for their children.
- Care Act introduced.
- In response to the Winterbourne View scandal in December 2012, the Department of Health establishes the ‘Transforming Care‘ programme to reform services for people with learning disabilities and autism.
- There are estimated to be 1.5 million people with learning disabilities in the UK.
2015
- CQC introduces the Fundamental Standards as part of Social Care Act – Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well Led.
- Brandon’s first retail charity shop opens its doors on Cotham Hill, Bristol.
- Brandon acquires Playlink in South Gloucestershire and begins providing plays schemes, respite support, and other support packages for children and young people.
2016
- Brandon begins supporting people in Oxfordshire.
2019
- Brandon begins supporting people in Plymouth.
- Brandon takes over the Barn Café at Grimsbury Farm as a full-time project, providing further vocational training and supported employment opportunities.
2020
- COVID-19 begins – Brandon continues to support people and staff throughout the pandemic.
2021
- Bristol-based charity, Thomas More Project, merges with Brandon to continue supporting thirteen adults with a learning disability in a mix of registered care and supported living settings.
- Following feedback as part of Brandon’s Big Conversation, the Adventurers are formed – a panel of experts by experience. They are people supported by Brandon, working in paid roles to advocate for autistic people and people with a learning disability.
2022
- Brandon begins supporting people in Hampshire and Bromley.
2023
- Draycott House, in North Bristol, officially opens as Brandon’s new head office.
- Brandon Trust joins forces with five not-for-profit providers in the More Than a Provider partnership.
2024 onwards
- Brandon Trust is a major voice in social care and supports close to 1,700 people across the South of England and South Midlands, with award-winning teams comprising nearly 3,000 staff, including supported employees and trainees.