History

Welcare has its origins as a social welfare charity set up by the church over 100 years ago.

Although social and economic circumstances have changed, the driving force of the organisation has been essentially the same. Its continuing aim has been to help individuals and their children to achieve their potential and to overcome the barriers of poverty and social exclusion.

Originally founded in 1894 as The Diocesan Association for the Care of Friendless Girls, the focus of the service was on unmarried mothers and sought to care for those who had been socially excluded due to the stigma and double standards of sexual and social mores.

Established at the time of the workhouse when poverty meant crushingly hard physical work, its concern was for the welfare of young women and their children. Help was offered in the form of mother and baby homes and support was given to the women to help find employment in order to support their children.

Today, services are directed towards supporting and strengthening families, whatever form the family takes, single mothers to single fathers, grandparents and other carers.

Its programmes are geared towards improving parenting skills and providing advice, guidance and support so that families can help themselves.

Historical documents relating to the history of Welcare are stored at the National Archive