Description

Description:

Originally known as the Port of Hull Society for the Religious Instruction of Seamen, the Society was founded in April 1821. Its attention was first focused on the spiritual and practical welfare of seamen. They transformed a sailing vessel, 'The Valiant,' into a chapel. Docked in the Humber Dock, the vessel soon became a meeting place for destitute seamen and their families and was often filled to capacity. This floating chapel was only the beginning. A Sailor's Orphan Institute was established in Waterhouse Lane for clothing and educating the children of deceased seamen and rivermen in 1857. The Society was to move from strength to strength, particularly in the area of welfare and social work. The first orphan home was opened in 1863 in Castle Row. Thanks to a donation by Sir Titus Salt in 1868 a larger home was purchased on Park Street and opened in July 1869. It was at this home that the first children from outside of Hull were admitted. By 1871, out of a total of 148 children, only 70 came from Hull. A school was established on the Park Street site in 1876. In Jan 1893, anxious to provide a larger, more healthy environment for its children, the Society announced the greatest of all its plans-that of creating a garden village. Eventually 6 acres of land was purchased by the Society on Cottingham Road in 1892 and another 6.5 acres in 1896. The Newland estate took 14 years to complete with the first two houses opening in 1895. Ten houses, a school and a sanatorium were built by 1904. Each house was under the care of a 'House Mother' who looked after 25-30 children of the same sex. It was not until the 1950's that the Society introduced 'mixed' homes where brothers and sisters could live together. From the 1890's children were selected for entry into the orphanage by way of by-annual elections held on the last Friday of the months of January and July. In the early days no more than two children of the same family were allowed admission to the homes in any one election period and, until 1900, children under 7 years old or over 13 years old were not admitted. In 1900 these rules changed setting the lower age limit to 4 and the upper age limit to 14 for boys and 15 for girls. Subscribers to the Society were given a number of votes depending on the amount that they subscribed. Voting papers were sent to the subscribers at least 14 days prior to the election being held. They included a synopsis of each child's circumstances. Only in very exceptional circumstances were children admitted without having to be the subjects of this election process. The system of elections ceased by the mid-1940's when the Society's Board began to pursue a policy of 'boarding out' children with people who would act as foster parents or else subsidising children to remain in their own homes. The passing of the Children's Act in 1948 also meant that, for the first time, the Home Office became involved in the supervision of voluntary as well as local authority children's homes.

The Society also acted as agents of the Shipwrecked Fishermens' and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society. Historically this meant that they were responsible for assisting shipwrecked fishermen and mariners landed at or near Hull and Grimsby. The Seafarers' Welfare Officer and the Port Missioner respectively were responsible for discharging the Society's responsibilities which included providing food and shelter, communicating with next of kin and providing clothing, travel and subsistence. They also provided half yearly grants (May and Nov) to those in need of assistance, be they seamen or their widows. In May 1982 they provided grants for 100 individuals.

After 1963 the Society extended its work once more by establishing homes for aged seafarers in Hull, Lowestoft, Fleetwood, South Shields and Grimsby. The Society had noticed that a growing number of seafarers who, because of advancing years, were no longer employable were in need of care and attention. These homes, however, were relatively short-lived because of increased provision for the elderly by local authorities in the late 1970's.

Throughout its history the Society has undergone several name changes:

In 1917 the Society changed its name to 'The Port of Hull Society's Sailor's Orphan Homes' due to its increased emphasis on the welfare of children.

In 1950 the Society changed its name to 'The Sailor's Children's Society' in order to avoid using the word 'orphan.'

In 1990 the Society changed its name to 'The Sailor's Families Society.' A title that reflected their work supporting families throughout the UK and providing residential facilities for elderly seafarers or their widows.

In 2003 the last child left Newland and the Society's focus shifted entirely to helping children in their own homes. In 2009 the Newland Site was sold and its new owners converted the houses into student accomodation, although the Society still occupies offices in Francis Reckitt House.

The Society reverted back to being known as 'The Sailor's Children's Society' on 1 Dec 2011 in order to greater emphasise the fact that they are a children's charity. They continue to help to support over 420 children from 220 families not only in Hull and the immediate area but also throughout the UK. To qualify for support a member of the family must have served in the Royal or Merchant Navy or the fishing fleets and be in receipt of a means tested benefit. The families are mainly single parent, often as a result of bereavement, or two parent families where one parent is too ill or disabled to work and the other acts as carer. The Society provides monthly grants for essential items, children's clothing grants, help with school trips and offers families the opportunity for a free week's holiday in one of five caravans owned by the Society. The total cost of providing this help is £250,000 per year and the Society relies on grants, fund raising, legacies and individual donations.