Ancestry UK

Home for Training and Education of Orphan and Destitute Girls / St Agnes' Home, Madresfield, Worcestershire

In 1869, Countess Beauchamp founded the Home for the Training and Education of Orphan and Destitute Girls to receive orphan, motherless or destitute girls. By 1871, the Home occupied a property at Madresfield, near Great Malvern, Worcestershire. It could accommodate up to 18 girls, aged 11 to 14 at their date of admission.

In April, 1874, the Home was certified for the reception of workhouse girls placed by Boards of Guardians who made a weekly payment of 2s. 6d. Most of the inmates appear to have come from this source.

The Home was managed by a matron, with a laundry maid and an assistant, under the direction of the Earl Beauchamp, at whose expense any shortfall in income was made up. The inmates were trained in laundry-work and on leaving, usually at the age of 14 or 15, situations were obtained for them as laundry maids.

The Home was occasionally referred to as the Malvern Industrial Home, or the Malvern Industrial School. By the early 1900s, however, it had adopted the name of the St Agnes' Home.

St Agnes' Home, Madresfield, c.1905. © Peter Higginbotham

The Home is thought to have closed in the early 1930s. The property is now in private residential use.

Former St Agnes' Home, Madresfield, 2013. © Peter Higginbotham

Records

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  • None identfied at present — any information welcome.

Census

Bibliography

  • None identified at present.