The Church of England reviewed adoption practices in its mother and baby homes during the 1940s-70s and concluded it owed an apology to many of the women affected, acknowledging the deep and lasting harm caused by some of the practices and the denial of dignity, compassion and choice to them.
We are aware that there were a number of homes in the Lichfield Diocese area, run by or affiliated to the Church of England. The list reflects those uncovered in research at Lambeth Palace Library and we are conscious there may be others that we are yet to rediscover in local records.
Name of home |
Type of home |
Address |
Dates |
|
(Burton-on-Trent) Home for Girls |
Mother and Baby Home (before and after care) |
53 Union Street, Burton-on-Trent |
Open by 1950 |
|
North Staffordshire Hostel forMothers and Babies |
Mother and Baby Home |
2 Enderley Street, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire |
Open by 1949-closed by 1956? |
|
Shrewsbury and Shropshire Refuge and Hostel |
Mother and Baby Home |
Chaddeslode, Abby Foregate, Shrewsbury (previously at Crescent Lane, Shrewsbury c.1907) |
1907 (moved to new address in 1935) |
|
Myford House |
Mother and Baby Home |
Myford House, Horsehay, Nr.Wellington, Salop. |
Open by 1949 |
|
The Mrs. Legge Memorial Home |
Mother and Baby Home |
89 North Road, Wolverhampton (moved tonew premises in 1964 at 134 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton) |
Opened 1913 |
|
The Mrs Hay Memorial Home |
Mother and Baby Home |
36 Meridale Road, Wolverhampton (moved tonew premises in 1964 at 38 Park Road East, Wolverhampton) |
By 1949 |
|
Stoke Shelter?/ Bradwell |
Shelter |
Bradwell, First Avenue, Porthill, Stoke-on-Trent. |
By 1950 |
Adoption support services, with links and any relevant further information
PAC-UK(Qualified counsellors and social workers offering advice on adoption and permanent care) Website: https://www.pac-uk.org |
Barnardo’s Adoption Support(Support for adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families) |
Family Connect(Practical and emotional advice for those searching for birth family) Website: https://www.familyconnect.org.uk |
Adoption UK(peer support and advocacy for adoptees and adoptive families) |
The Adoption Contact RegisterWebsite: http://www.direct.gov.uk... |
Birthlink (Scotland)(specialist in adoption records and reunion services) Website: http://www.birthlink.org.uk/adoption_contact_register.htm |
Safe Spaces(Support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church Helpline: 0300 303 1056 |
Samaritans 24/7(emotional support for anyone in distress) Website: https://www.samaritans.org |
Prayers
Let us pray for all whose lives have suffered rejection, separation, or grief.
Lord, have mercy.
For all who have carried burdens of shame and fear, that they may know the comfort of God’s love:
Lord, have mercy.
For children separated from their mothers, and for all families divided, that God may bring restoration and peace:
Lord, have mercy.
For those whose dignity was denied and whose voices were not heard, that they may be honoured and upheld:
Lord, have mercy.
For all who carry wounds of body, mind, or spirit, that Christ may bring healing and freedom:
Lord, have mercy.
For the hope of new creation, that sorrow may be turned to joy and every tear wiped away:
Lord, have mercy.
Loving God,
you hear the cry of the afflicted and gather the outcast.
Look with mercy on all whose lives
have suffered rejection, loss, or neglect.
Bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted,
assure them of your love,
and grant us grace to walk in the way of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.