This page includes references to historical adoption practices, including the separation of mothers and babies, and experiences of trauma and lasting emotional harm. Details of support services may be found on the Church of England website and below.
The Church of England has apologised for its role in historical adoption practices, particularly in Church-run mother and baby homes. Mothers and adoptees who came into contact with these homes have described the profound and lasting impact of these experiences.
Published alongside new research into these homes, the apology recognises the impact on people affected and sets out the Church’s commitment to listening, learning and responding with honesty and compassion.
“I wholeheartedly echo Archbishop Sarah’s apology,” said the Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun. “While we know that some had positive experiences of these homes, the research reveals that there were many, many failings and cruelties associated with them. The voices of those harmed by these institutions must be heard – and I thank them for their courage in sharing their stories.”
It’s likely that the number of mothers and babies connected to Church of England-affiliated homes is in the tens of thousands during the period covered by the research (1949 to 1976). However, because of the nature of the records that still exist, it is difficult to verify information from that period. Southwark Diocese has been able to identify up to 20 mother and baby homes that may have been connected in some way to the diocese. These are listed below, with their addresses and dates of operation (where known).
The Church is encouraging anyone affected to seek support. Specialist organisations who can offer confidential advice, emotional support and help with accessing records are listed in the Support section, below.
Known Southwark-linked Mother & Baby Homes
Records for Mother & Baby Homes are scattered and information is difficult to verify. However, we have been able to identify the following as Mother & Baby Homes that may have had some connection to Southwark Diocese. Some of these homes may have been run by the Diocese or affiliated bodies – or there may have been an indirect connection or involvement.
*Denotes where information is unconfirmed or uncertain – but please bear in mind that much of the information we’ve been able to gain access to has been partial or incomplete. This table will be updated as more information becomes known.
| Name(s) of home | Known address(es) | Dates of operation |
| Stretton House Southwark Diocesan Maternity Home (1928-1946) Southwark Diocesan Mother & baby Home (1946-1976) May also have been known as The Plumstead Maternity Home |
Stretton House, 73 baring Rd, Grove Park SE12 (1928-WWII) Limpsfield, Surrey (WWII) Returned to Stretton House (1946-1976) |
1928-1976
|
| Putney Home for Mothers & Babies
|
15 Genoa Avenue, Putney SW15
|
1958-1976*
|
| Brixton Maternity Hospital
|
145 Brixton Hill, Brixton SW2
|
Open by 1900
|
| Kingston Mother & Baby Home/Kingston Deanery Home
|
18 Richmond Park Road, Kingston-upon-Thames
|
Open by 1950, closed by 1968
|
| Haygarth Witts Memorial Home/ Wimbledon Mother & Baby Home*
|
54 Ridgeway, Wimbledon, SW19
|
1958-1978
|
| Richmond Shelter*/ Marryat House
|
47/13/73 Mount Ararat Road, Richmond
|
Open by 1950
|
| Sutton Shelter*/The Haven
|
2 Camden Road, Sutton
|
1950s-60s*1975-1992 for the Haven*
|
| Croydon Shelter/ Glazier House
|
Glazier House, Stretton Road, Croydon
|
Open by 1950
|
| Battersea Mother & Baby Home/ St Mary’s House/ St Mary’s Home*
|
32 Macauley Road, Clapham Common, Lambeth SW4
|
1918-1986
|
| The Woolwich
|
32 Rectory Place, Greenwich, SE18
|
Unknown
|
| Anchorage Mission
|
76-80 Jeffreys Road, Lambeth SW4
|
1878-1976*
|
| Hope House
|
194 Clapham Park Road, Lambeth SW4
|
Unknown
|
| The Limes
|
5 Palace Road, Lambeth SE1
|
Unknown
|
| St Christopher’s
|
179 Tulse Hill, Lambeth, SW2
|
Open by 1953
|
| Southwark Diocesan Home and Hostel
|
82 Chelverton Road, Putney, SW15
|
Unknown
|
| St Anne’s/ Church Army House
|
64 St Anne’s Hill, Wandsworth, SW18
|
Open by 1915
|
| Southwark Diocesan Home
|
47 Haydon’s Road, South Wimbledon, SW19
|
Open in 1901
|
| Southwark Diocesan Home
|
56 Gap Road, South Wimbledon, SW19
|
Open in 1901
|
| St Agnes Hostel In London Diocese, but may have been a link with Southwark |
53 Barrowgate Rd, W4
|
Open by 1963
|
| Hillside In London Diocese, but may have been a link with Southwark |
5 Roxborough Park, Harrow
|
Open by 1963
|
Finding support
Support
Safe Spaces provides a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church
Website: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Helpline: 0300 303 1056
Mthr Joyce Forbes has offered to be available as a listening ear for those who are affected. She worked as a social worker for many years and was also a magistrate on the family bench – and so is very familiar with the issues involved. She can be contacted via [email protected].
Alternatively, you may wish to contact our Diocesan Safeguarding Team – details here.
Government resources
The Adoption Contact Register
You can add yourself to the Adoption Contact Register at the General Register Office to:
- find a birth relative or an adopted person
- say you do not want to be contacted
This is not a tracing service – for a connection to be made between people, you must both be on the Adoption Contact Register.
Website: www.gov.uk/adoption-records/the-adoption-contact-register
Phone: 0300 123 1837
Specialist advice
National PAC-UK Advice Line
The National PAC-UK Advice Line provides independent, confidential advice and information for people affected by adoption, special guardianship and other forms of permanent care. The service is staffed by qualified and experienced PAC-UK counsellors and social workers with specialist expertise in these areas.
Website: www.family-action.org.uk/pac-uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0300 1800 090
FamilyConnect Advice Line
Delivered by Family Action’s adoption support agency PAC-UK, FamilyConnect provides information, support and guidance on tracing and reconnecting with family members, the services available, and whether you may be eligible for funding.
Website: www.familyconnect.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0300 1800 205
Adoption UK
Practical suggestions, information and encouragement with signposting to specialist help.
Website: www.adoptionuk.org/information-and-support-service
Phone: 0300 666 0006
Email: [email protected]
Safe Spaces
Support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church.
Website: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Phone: 0300 303 1056
Additional services
Barnardo’s Adoption Support
Support for adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families.
Website: www.barnardos.org.uk/adopt/link-adoption-support-service
Email: [email protected]
Samaritans 24/7
Emotional support for anyone in distress.
Website: www.samaritans.org
Phone: 116 123
Prayers
Below are some prayers which may be shared around the publication of the research, used for acts of reflection or lament and in response to people’s pastoral needs.
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.
