Caring for mind and body- the Working Lads Homes

Provision for boys in the Charity’s care once they reached working age came in the form of Homes for Working Boys, also known as Young Men’s Homes or Working Lads Homes. Established in 1873 just a few years after the Charity began, these homes accommodated 15 to 18 year olds who had been cared for by the Charity as children and were now in regular employment either in the workshops of the Charity’s Central Refuge or elsewhere in the city. No such provision was provided for girls who often went into domestic service.

One home of 12 boys was first established in Grosvenor Street, Oxford Road but this was felt to be too far from the Charity’s centre of operations at Strangeways and the boys could not be supervised sufficiently meaning the home was soon moved to Lower Broughton. Four homes in this area had been established by 1877 each with around 15 boys apprenticed to various trades. The homes were under the care of a ‘father’ and ‘mother’. The boys paid towards their board but once they could support themselves in safe lodgings they left to be replaced by boys moving from the Central Refuge.

By the later 1880s there were two homes for working boys and to bring these boys even closer to the central operation of the Charity an extension to the Central Refuge on Great Ducie Street begun in 1889 allowed 60 working boys to be accommodated.

The extension also created a Woking Lads Institute for older boys, a service offered to boys even after they left the Charity’s accommodation. According to the Annual Report of 1889, The Working Lads Institute aimed to develop ‘both mind and body’ with a reading room containing newspapers and magazines, a game room, classrooms and a gym. The Charity’s aim was to encourage a larger number of the elder boys to stay under the Charity’s influence, ‘until their character is fully formed.’ The 1890 Annual Report listed classes for arithmetic, shorthand, singing, geometry and bible class taking place at the Working Lad’s Institute along with readings on various social, scientific and religious subjects. 

Children's Haven, November 1912

The boys paid for their accommodation but this provided them with their own separate cubicle and use of a sitting room, reading room, baths and gym. The Annual Reports of the 1900s list the rate at 10 shillings a week, about a day’s wages for a skilled tradesman and in special cases reductions could be made. Although a bed in a common lodging house for a week might cost around half this price, this wouldn't provide any privacy or other amenities. Preference for the accommodation was given to old boys of the Charity’s services but others unable to afford private apartments could be accommodated if there was room. For young people travelling to Manchester for work without friends or family to rely on, the Charity’s accommodation could offer a vast improvement on some of the alternative lodgings within budget in the area. There are also reports of ex-residents who had emigrated to Canada using the accommodation at their own expense on visits back to Manchester.

The Charity also provided all men residing in lodging houses around the Strangeways area with a supper and entertainment once a year. Members of the Young Men’s Institute raised money specifically for this treat themselves such as by carol singing. 

Members of the Young Men’s Institute. From the Annual Report 1912

More than half of the working boys were in training or service during First World War with only 18 resident in 1915 rather than the usual number of between 40 and 50. With the closure of the Strangeways site after the war and the transfer of younger residents to Cheadle, the home for older residents moved to George Street, Cheetham Hill.

Residents moved from the Cheadle site to George Street aged 14 (rising to 15 in 1947) and could stay until aged 21. The Charity’s magazine of 1930 referred to residents being found employment in offices, shops and warehouses and having formed their own scout troop along with a cricket and football team. They also attended night school three times a week. The George Street Young Men’s Home provided access to indoor games, a quiet room, a library, a wireless room and work benches.

The 1936 Annual Report states each resident at George Street received an outfit, ‘sufficient to last at least 12 months, and immediately he starts work a Banking Account is opened into which each week is placed a portion of his wages sufficient to replenish his wardrobe.’ Pocket money and travelling expenses were provided and the few shillings remaining credited as board lodgings. The Charity reiterated that their aim was for the boys to become independent and once earning enough and considered old enough they moved to private lodgings. The boys were encouraged to join the Refuge Old Boys Association and social evenings were organised to encourage ex residents and their families to keep in touch.

Former residents serving in the Second World War returned to the Young Men’s Home during their leave. In 1944 a new property was acquired for the Young Men’s Home on Parsonage Road, Heaton Moor known as Granville House and the properties on Cheetham, Hill were sold. After the war residents usually remained until called up for National Service. By 1954 the home had fewer residents and was uneconomic to run. Its closure in 1955 was marked in that year’s Annual Report which reflected how the closure of the home was, ‘a measure of improvement of standards and of avenues open to young men in our time.’

To read more about the Together Trust's history, Andrew Simpson's book 'The Ever Open Door' can be purchased through our enquiry page.