The Sailors Children’s Society has a long and proud history, firmly rooted in Hull’s seafaring culture. Established in 1821, it recently celebrated its 200th anniversary. The charity started life as the Port of Hull Society for the Religious Instruction of Seamen. Its original purpose was to care for the spiritual welfare of sailors’ lives, with a vessel, ‘The Valiant’, being repurposed as a floating chapel. Over the course of the nineteenth century, the organisation evolved into a children’s charity, with the Sailors’ Orphan Institute being established at Water Lane. Orphaned children of seamen and rivermen were clothed and educated by the charity.
The charity continued to evolve and grow, focusing on the education and welfare of children from the seafaring community. The first home for orphans was established in 1867, with Sir Titus Salt donating enough money to expand this provision in 1868. Under the wing of royal patronage, the charity continued to go from strength to strength. At the end of the century, in 1892, the charity created its biggest achievement to date, purchasing ‘Six Acres’ and building a model village, in a drive to establish a safe and secure environment for its orphaned children. Eventually, this would become the Newland Estate, with ten houses, a school and a hospital all being built on the site.
As the twentieth century progressed, the charity extended its work in line with the changing social landscape. The advent of World War One saw the first children of Royal Navy casualties being admitted and cared for. In 1956 the charity began to extend its care to supporting children in their own homes. As the decades progressed more children than ever before were subsidised by the charity’s care and support, with halfway houses for adolescents being introduced in the 1980s.
As the 21st century began, the focus shifted to supporting children in their own homes, with the last child leaving Newland in 2003 and the site sold for student accommodation in 2009. The following years would bring lots of changes with the charity changing its name in 2011 from the Sailors’ Families’ Society to the Sailors’ Children’s Society at an event attended by our patron HRH The Princess Royal on the HQS Wellington in London.
As 2019 approached, the society began to prepare for its 200th anniversary. In 2017 the ‘200 Business Club’ was launched in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal. The 200 Business Club was then celebrated for the anniversary of the charity in 2019 with a royal reception, attended by HRH The Princess Royal, held on the HQS Wellington in London. The tireless work of the Sailors’ Children’s Society continued through the challenging times presented by COVID-19 with staff working from home and supporting families in need.
Natasha Barley took over as CEO of the Sailors’ Children’s Society in 2023 and continues to guide the charity in its support of families and children from seafaring backgrounds.
Over 200 years of care
1821
A meeting convened by public advertisement in the Boy’s school room to organise a Society, the designation of which was to be “Port of Hull Society for the Religious Instruction to Seamen”. The floating chapel “Valiant” opened for worship in the Humber Dock.
1837
Sailors’ Orphan Institute was established in Waterhouse Lane for clothing and educating children of deceased seamen and rivermen.
1867
First orphan house opened in Castle Row. Society purchased Thanet House in Park Street for £4,500 to accommodate 100 orphans.
1868
First Royal Patronage – HRH Rear Admiral, the Duke of Edinburgh.
1892
Six Acres purchased at Newland on which to erect a model village.
1897
School opened for primary level to teach the Society’s children.
1914
First children of Royal Navy casualties received into the Society’s care.
1919
Society incorporated under the Companies Act.
1936
The inaugural meeting of the Old Scholars Association.
1956
Beginning of subsidisation of children in their own homes.
1983
Introduction of halfway houses for adolescents.
1993
Redirected work at Newland to the residential care of abused children in conjunction with local authorities.
2003
Last child leaves Newland and focus is entirely on helping children in their own homes.
2009
Newland Estate is sold for student accommodation.
2011
The society changes its names to Sailors’ Children’s Society in the presence of Patron HRH The Princess Royal on board HQS Wellington moored on the Thames embankment. 190th Celebrations begin with a re-enactment of the first public meeting held on 18th April 1821. A book is written by June Clough.
2014
Launch of the Caravan Appeal held at the HMS President in the presence of Patron HRH The Princess Royal.
2017
Launch of the 200 Business Club held in November in the presence of our patron HRH The Princess Royal at the Maritime Museum in Hull.
2019
A 200 Business Club Royal Reception was held on the HQS Wellington in London in the presence of our Patron HRH The Princess Royal.
2020
This year has certainly been challenging for everyone. Since the start of COVID19 lockdown, here at the Society we have been working from the safety of own homes and being fully operational providing assistance to those seafaring families in need. Our main fundraising events, the Golf AM AM and the Sportsman’s Lunch were cancelled so we launched our first virtual event through the fundraising platform, Enthuse. We held our AGM via Zoom and this was attended by over 20 people.
2021
Monday 19th April – a meeting of four people including our Chairman and the Lord Mayor was held on the banks of the River Humber to mark our 200 Year Anniversary. A huge thank you goes to SMS Towage and the crews of the vessels Superman and Pullman who kindly arranged to use their tug boat’s water cannons to launch the celebrations was spectacular. Radio Humberside and Look North were present during this fantastic occasion.
2022
In March 2022, a royal event attended by our patron, HRH The Princess Royal, was held at Trinity House, London, to launch the Empowering Families Scheme.
2023
In 2023 Natasha Barley was appointed as the new CEO of the Sailors' Children's Society.
How can I donate?
There are a number of different ways you can donate to the Sailors’ Children’s Society. Click to the button below to find out more.
Apply for help
The Society’s aim is to help children of seafarers who are in full-time education with families who are in severe financial difficulties.
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