Between its foundation in 1881 and the end of the First World War, the Waifs and
Strays' Society cared for around 22,500 children. The Society opened its
first children's home at Dulwich in 1882, and by 1918 it had run nearly
175 homes all around England and Wales. Some of these homes were only
open for a few years, while others operated for decades.
They varied from small cottage homes in rural locations to homes in
the big cities of London, Leeds, Birmingham and Liverpool. Industrial homes,
like Standon Farm Home, would teach children a trade, so that they could
support themselves in later life. Children with disabilities were integrated
in homes, but the Society also had specialist centres that could
specifically care for their needs. All ages of children were cared for by the
Society - while some homes cared for the youngest babies, others like Clapham Home Of Rest For Girls Out Of Situation, provided shelter for those aged between 15
and 21.
From here you can search or browse through the histories of these
homes.
They are illustrated with original photographs and drawings if they
exist in
our collections. There are also links to fully anonymised case files
of some
of the children and young people that the Society cared for in these
homes.
