Clapton Home For Boys

When the Clapton Home was opened in February 1882, it became only the third home in the Society's care, along with Dulwich and Marylebone. The Home was established as a receiving home for boys aged 7-10. This meant that it housed boys for a short period of time, whilst more permanent accommodation was found. They would move on to other children's homes around the country, or into boarding-out institutions. At first Clapton Home looked after 23 boys, and after expansion work in 1883, it could house a further seven.

The children of Clapton Home were given lessons in all kinds of subjects. As well as attending the local school, there was also a schoolroom within the Home itself. Here the boys were taught how to darn and sew by their matron, Mrs Mitchell. They also received weekly singing lessons from a local lady, who played accompaniment on the Home's organ.

The children enjoyed an occasional trip away from the Home, as in August 1885 when they spent a day at Palmers Green, in North London. They went to Mr and Mrs Littler's House where they played running games, and had dinner in a marquee on the lawn. One little boy wrote a letter describing all the food they were given, including 'gingerbeer and lemonade, cherries and gooseberries'. On the train journey home they saw some famous sights including Alexandra Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

The Home closed in 1887, and the boys moved to the Frome Home in Somerset.