OUR HISTORY
1994-1995
Essex Respite Association was incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee in August 1995. Funding was provided by Essex Strategic Health Authority and Essex County Council Social Services via The Mental Health Joint Commissioning Team.
It was affiliated to MACA (Mental After Care Association) who set up ERA at the same time as its sister organisations in Redbridge and Suffolk.
1995-1996
It soon became apparent that both staff and carers felt that a basic sitting service was not adequate and that there was a need to take care receivers out during the respite period so that they could engage in various activities. However, as we were not funded to do this, a fund-raising project was started in order to pay for the costs involved in providing this additional service.
2002-2003
At this time the name of the charity was Mid-Essex Respite Care Association (MERCA). Funding of £5000 was received from Essex County Council, to finance expansion into West Essex.
2011-2012
During this year MERCA changed its name to Essex Respite and Care Association (ERCA) reflecting the support provided to those without carers. In November 2011 ERCA was given formal notice that the funding agreement would not be renewed by Essex County Council. From 1 April 2012 clients needed to apply for direct funding from ECC and then decide which services they wished to purchase. Due to delays in client’s applications being processed, during 2011-12 client numbers reduced dramatically resulting in an enormous drain on our finances.
2020--
ERCA relies on receiving voluntary donations made by Trusts, Foundations and individuals to be able to provide a unique and necessary service to clients with a mental health diagnosis and their carers.
Get in touch
Call our confidential support line on 01245 353855.
Our office is open