Together Trust Archive

The 19th century was notable for the men and women who devoted themselves to the service of destitute children. Lord Shaftesbury of London, Miss Annie Macpherson of Stratford, Thomas John Barnardo , Leonard K. Shaw, William Quarrier of Glasgow,and Edward Rudolf of the Children’s Society formed a group of philanthropists which strove to better living conditions for children. Leonard Shaw

I thought I’d talk this week about some leading figures in nineteenth century England who had an interest in the work of the Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes. Today we turn to Anthony Ashley Cooper , 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, English politician, philanthropist and social reformer. Lord Shaftesbury, 1801-1885

"£10 a year or 17 shillings per month will support or educate an orphan or homeless boy." - The Manchester Times, 1876 Adverts were often placed in the local papers asking for money to set up a new service to help Manchester’s waifs and strays. It was an imperative means of communication. Up until the introduction of the new welfare state in the 1940s the Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes had to rely purely on charitable donations from the public. In its early days the charity was opening a new service or home almost every year. This could only be done thanks to the many wonderful contributions from a city who wanted to help its younger inhabitants. Advert appealing for funds, c.1906 (PH/4/16)