Our history through newspapers

"A refuge for the destitute lads of the city has been opened in Quay Street, under the care of Mr WF Brown, who has had considerable experience of the management of similar institutions in London. Forty inmates have taken advantage of the home, of whom twenty-four belong to a shoeblack brigade, six to a newspaper brigade, two are messengers, five are in situations, and three are employed in the refuge. The lads are charged one penny for their breakfast, one penny for supper, one penny for bed, and threepence for dinner."

- Manchester Evening News, (22 February 1870)

This is the first known reference to the Charity in the local newspapers. At the time it was the main source of news to the community and was integral to the promotion of any organisation. The Refuge regularly used the newspapers to fundraise and promote its work. 

Advert for funds

The creation of the British Newspaper Archive by the British Library has allowed for the searching of millions of pages of British newspapers. This has enabled the Together Trust to extend its knowledge of its Victorian and Edwardian history through the many articles written about the charity during the late nineteen and early twentieth centuries. 

Before and after photographs taken to highlight the Refuge’s work

Many of these articles written about the Charity took the form of annual meetings, opening of new services and events attended by the Committee. It allows us today to confirm dates for homes, find out about the people who got involved with the charity and understand the extra work the Committee members were involved with. The Charity also saw the newspapers as a way to appeal for funds and advertise their work. Strong imagery was often used to encourage the public to donate to the Refuges. Some articles were not always to the benefit of the charity however;

"A boy was charged with stealing 13s 7d from his employer and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, afterwards to go for five years to the Clarence training-ship. The prosecutor stated that only about three weeks ago he had taken the prisoner into his employ from the Boys’ Refuge School, Quay Street."

 - Manchester Evening News (8 April 1870)

The creation of the British Newspaper Archive has provided quick and easy access to information about the charity and continues to allow us to discover more about its fascinating history.