Stepney Causeway facts for kids
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Stepney Causeway is a street in Stepney, a part of East London. It runs from the main A13 road (Commercial Road) down to Cable Street. A railway bridge crosses over it, carrying trains from the Docklands Light Railway and the c2c line, which go to Fenchurch Street railway station. This street is famous because Thomas John Barnardo opened his very first home for children there.
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Dr. Barnardo's First Home
In December 1870, Dr. Thomas Barnardo opened a special home at 18 Stepney Causeway. This home was for boys who were working or didn't have a place to live. He rented the building for 99 years. It had five bedrooms and could house 60 boys. Later, in 1908, the home also taught boys useful skills and gave them a general education.
A Promise to Help Every Child
In 1871, a sad event changed how Dr. Barnardo helped children. An 11-year-old boy named John Somers, who people called "Carrots," was turned away from the shelter because it was full. Two days later, John was found dead. He had died from being very hungry and cold. This made Dr. Barnardo promise that he would never again refuse a child who needed help. From that day on, a sign was put up at the home that said: "No Destitute Boy Ever Refused Admission."
Expanding Help for Children
Because of this promise, another home opened at 10 Stepney Causeway in 1874. This new place was also for children who had nowhere else to go. It stayed open for many years until 1939. At that time, many people from Stepney had to move away for safety during the war. After the war, the home at Number 10 never opened again. Over the next few years, Dr. Barnardo opened even more buildings along Stepney Causeway to help more children.
Moving to a New School
On April 19, 1922, a big day happened for 260 boys from Stepney. They marched out of the Stepney homes to go to a brand new place. This was The William Baker Memorial Technical School, located on the Goldings estate in Hertford. The Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII, officially opened this new school on November 17, 1922.
Changes and Closure
In 1923, the part of the Stepney Causeway home that taught trade skills closed down. After that, the building was used as a place where new children could stay when they first arrived. It also became the main office for Barnardo's charity.
Stepney Causeway finally closed its doors for good in 1969. The staff from Barnardo's moved to their new main office at Barnardo House in Barkingside.
