Victoria Home, Formby

Victoria Home was opened on April 24th 1897 by the Bishop of Liverpool. He conducted a formal ceremony outside the Home, at which he dedicated the Home to Queen Victoria in honour of her Diamond Jubilee (a reign of 60 years). The new Home was capable of housing up to thirty boys and girls, who were aged between two and seven. Although the number of children never altered, a significant change occurred in 1908 when the Home began caring for sick toddlers.

All the children were looked after by their matron, Miss Bratt, who worked at Victoria Home until 1910. Upon her departure, the Society’s newsletter Our Waifs and Strays stated that 'her loving care of the little ones, her bright, cheerful disposition and the ready welcome she always extended to all who visited the Home, will ever find a warm place in our memories'. Another important individual was Mrs Beauford who worked as the President of the Home’s Committee until her death in 1923. She organised many fundraising events on behalf of the children including their popular annual ball.

Victoria Home became an important part of the Formby community. Particularly strong ties were formed with the pupils from Blundellsands School, which was a college for older girls. The school hosted many successful fundraisers including a bi-annual sale, which paid for the upkeep of two children in Victoria Home. Some of the pupils even carried their interest further by becoming full-time workers for the Society once they had left school.

After the war, the home briefly became the Victoria Home For Toddlers. In 1947, the toddlers moved to Southport and girls from Galloway Home, Whalley Range moved in. Victoria Home became mixed in 1958. In 1973, it became an Assisted Community Home. It finally closed in 1981.