Young Men's Institute

I came across this picture in the archive the other day. 

Young Men’s Institute football team, 1917

It shows the Young Men’s Institute football squad from 1917 posing for a team photograph. It seems a relevant topic to talk about seen as we’re currently in the middle of the 2014 world cup. The Young Men’s Institute at this time catered for boys of working age who had no permanent residence to go to. It housed 35 young men and was largely made up by those who in early life had passed through the Refuge. Each youth had full board, a separate cubicle, use of a comfortable sitting room, news room, games room, bathroom and gymnasium at a cost of 10 shillings per week.

Members of the Young Men’s Institute, 1917

Working age by 1917 started at 14, which probably explains why a picture of the football team exists within the archive. Although the First World War was in full flow by this point, conscription was not until the age of eighteen allowing some working boys to remain at the Refuge and be involved in social activities. The building itself however, was closed down during the World War and when the service reopened it moved into two of the old orphan homes on George Street, Cheetham Hill. Here it stayed until 1945 when the need for extensive repairs resulted in the service moving across to Granville House in Heaton Moor. 

Some of these boys (out of War time) stayed within the service until the age of 21 having being admitted to the Refuge during their school days and remaining with the charity as they found work. A similar home for girls was not deemed necessary as most went into service and lived with the family they were housekeeper for. 

Young Men’s Institute Application, 1914

Others, like the example above, left the Central Refuge for work in a different city and then returned when a situation presented itself in Manchester. As long as the individual contributed towards the running of the institute a place was often provided to them until other lodgings could be found.

The Young Men’s Institute was a long running service by the charity (1873-1955), which recognised the need for provision for children after they left school. This continues today with the Together Trust providing a whole range of post 16 services.