About Us

Our Story

Dayspace was established in 2011 by Founder and Chairperson, Chris Millsted.

Working with people with a learning disability for over forty years and a former Director of Nursing for the NHS, Chris was a key figure in the transition from hospital to community care and the development of innovative new services in Croydon and Surrey.

Chris has always had a passion for seeing adults with a learning disability fulfil their individual potential– becoming fully integrated, equal, and valued members of society. And it was this passion that led her to start Millsted Care in 1997.

Westhaven and Woodcroft in Reigate, Surrey are home to 12 residents and it was in the search to provide them with better person-centred day provision that Dayspace was born.

Since 2011 Millsted Care has been welcoming people through the Dayspace Caterham doors to experience our unique approach to day services. We are delighted to have been called ‘trailblazers’ in this field and with a growing customer waitlist we opened a second Dayspace service in Reigate in 2017 to fulfil the demand.

During the pandemic in 2020/21 we were lucky enough to be approached by Bromley County Council and asked if we would open a day service which would be accessible for the residents in their borough. Dayspace Penge opened in June 2021 and from here, we hope to reach many people with a learning disability in the South East London area.

The passion that inspired Chris Millsted now runs through this family-run business as daughters Hannah Millsted and Rachel Warren continue to uphold the vision and deliver services for adults with a learning disability to the highest level.

Customer in a bakespace session, stirring ingredients for a fish cake.

What We Do

At Dayspace we are committed to providing quality, person-centred activities for people within the learning disability community. Our vision has always been to see day services for adults with a learning disability transformed, by creating dynamic activity programmes that are tailored to suit individual needs and personalities.

We believe that a day provision should be interesting, challenging, sociable and most of all, fun! So we work hard to create a positive and encouraging environment where customers and their support network all feel part of the Dayspace family.

We recognise that everyone has unique needs, abilities and interests and the focus on ensuring the sessions are suitably tailored, continues across all Dayspace sites.

So please join us for a free taster session and experience the Dayspace magic for yourself.

What people say about us?

We are so grateful to all our fans for their support! Here is just a snapshot of some of the comments we have received.

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“Dayspace show time and compassion for each individual. It is obvious that this is a place not simply just a day centre with many activities and friendship for the individual; it is a meeting place where disadvantaged people are made to feel important and worthy with the benefit of self achievement…”

A Senior Support Worker

Consensus Support

“I love coming to Dayspace for my music session and seeing my friends”

David

Customer

“Transitioning from Education into Adult Social Care, I was hugely impressed with the way the staff at Dayspace actively listened to my daughter’s likes, dislikes and fears, as well as taking on board her interests and talents. Not only that, it was obvious to me that they wanted to make her transition, as smooth and as comfortable as possible.

My daughter now enters Dayspace on her own and with a new level of confidence. The support, dedication and commitment from the team of professional staff has made this progression possible, and it is obvious to me, that she gets a tremendous amount of pleasure and freedom to express herself throughout her activities.”

Carol

Parent

“One of my son’s favourite environments where we can be himself. Would highly recommend these sessions. Great team with a can do attitude! Thank you Dayspace”

Caroline

Parent

My name is Louise and I live with my husband. I have been coming to dayspace learning to cook for over a year. I have made friends and met old friends from school. Dayspace has helped me to learn skills for healthy food. The staff have helped me to stick to my eating plan and loose some more weight.

Louise

Customer

As a carer and parent of a young person with a disability, I have found the service Dayspace offer to be excellent. It is not ‘daycare’, but a learning environment which is meaningful and fun. I have supported a young man with a learning/physical disability with additional behaviour requirements and a young lady with autism and both have been met by kind, enthusiastic staff who not only support them, but also myself in my role as a carer.

Karen

Support Carer & Parent

Meet the Team

Hannah Millsted-Bowdery

Chief Executive Officer

Hannah has grown up within Millsted Care, allowing her an excellent insight into the care industry. She left her role as a London-based financial recruiter to become Millsted Care’s HR Manager and was appointed CEO in 2020. Hannah enjoys running, singing and performing in musicals.

Rachel Warren

Chief Financial Officer

As a member of the Millsted family, Rachel grew up helping out at Millsted Care’s residential homes. She helped launch Dayspace in 2010, before taking time out to train as a midwife. She then returned to head up all operational activity at Millsted Care and was apppointed CFO in 2020. Rachel plays bass guitar and sings in a barbershop chorus.

Stuart Lomath

Director of Day services

Stuart has been with Millsted Care since 1997, initially helping to open our first residential home. His care industry qualifications include NVQ levels 3 & 4, the A1 Assessor’s Award and the Registered Managers Award. Having supported many residents to access day services, he jumped at the chance to help create a dynamic, person-centred day provision. Stuart is an experienced musician and cook.

Tonai Martin

Deputy Manager - Reigate

Deputy Manager at Dayspace Reigate, Tonai has worked within the care industry for many years and comes to Dayspace from a supported living home in Surrey. Tonai’s skills lie in supporting individuals with challenging behaviours to lead fulfilling, active lives. Tonai enjoys cooking, keeping fit and caring for her family.

Selda Mehmet

Deputy Manager - Caterham

Selda brings her many talents, which include singing, cooking and painting, to the mix – which means that she is one of our most versatile team members. Selda leads many different sessions, from Bakespace to Pamperspace, which has been affectionately coined ‘Selda’s Spa’.

Carolyn Churchyard

Deputy Manager - Penge

A CQSW qualified social worker, with over 30 years experience, Carolyn has worked in areas including LD/complex youth/autism/fostering & HIV support. She has also set up and run Scouting for young people with LD and initiated many community connectivity projects in South London & Surrey.
Running, dancing, cooking, film, music & being by the sea makes Carolyn happy.

Debbie Pullum

Office Administrator

Debbie has many years of office management and administration experience, working in sectors such as Travel, Logistics, Flight Simulation and Makeup. Super organised, enjoys being busy and helping in all areas of business. A mum of two boys, who have taught her many skills including referee, teacher, counsellor and negotiator. Debbie is half Spanish; she loves to travel, cook and eat good food.

Join Our Team

Dayspace benefits hugely from the diverse skills and experience that our team bring to work every day. If you would like to join a company with lots of opportunities, please send your CV to info@dayspace.org