All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

The Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes had a well known motto in its early days:  

'We help those who try to help themselves’.

It was a principle the charity stood by. It was the Refuge’s work to help those in need but it also expected those who were admitted to its homes to work hard to become useful members of society. 

Working hard in the printing department

Consequently certain things were expected of the children who came into the charity’s care. Those of a younger age, many of which were admitted into the orphan homes, would help around the house and attend neighbouring board schools to increase their education. Once the boys turned 14 many would move to the Central Refuge on Francis Street and learn a trade. The Refuge had five workshops teaching skills such as printing, joinery, shoe making and tailoring. Others were apprenticed out to businesses in the area to learn other trades. The girls were trained in domestic duties.

Alongside this ethos to work however, there also needed to be time for social activities. There are many incidences in the archives of how past time was spent in the charity. Varying activities were set up for the children to partake in. These varied from groups such as the brass band, hand bell ringers, Lily choir and various dancing groups. Many of these groups performed at various events, both inside the charity and externally. As well as providing new skills and enjoyment to the children, it was also a good way for the charity to market themselves and show how they’d changed the lives of those within their care.

Hand bell ringers

For those living at Bethesda, a home for children with disabilities work and play went hand in hand. Here residents were taught how to overcome their disabilities in areas such as handicrafts. These were often produced for the annual fetes, and sold to raise money for the service.

Within the homes themselves were toys sent to the charity from various individuals and organisations. The Central Refuge had a reading room, filled with donated books, as well as a games room. A central yard was incorporated into the building to allow for outdoor games for the boys. In 1904, through the bequest of Leonard Shaw, a piece of land was purchased to provide recreational space for the children away from the city slums. 

Central Refuge play yard

The charity recognised the importance of providing activities to the children in its care as well as establishing a strong work ethos. Day trips that were taken and activities out, did much to improve the lives of the children growing up in the charity’s care.