Hidden Lives Revealed. A virtual archive - children in care 1881-1981 * Image of handwritten text

Case files and photographs

These case file packs were used as inspiration for the original work in the project. Each pack includes a quiz which was used by participants.

Amy (9.1 MB)
Annie (8.8 MB)
Arthur (9.7 MB)
Denis (8.7 MB)
John S (8.5 MB)
John W (8.8 MB)
Violet (8.6 MB)

These photographs in particular inspired the poems and stories included here:

'Waif' boy->Alone
'Waif' girl->A Silent TearAway With Amy
Outdoor ward->Day 54
Our girls at the Lampson Home->Haiku
A cricketer->Hobble, hobble, click, click
'Waif' girl->I'm Standing Here
Little Britain Street->John Smith's Safety
'Waif' girl->Lily's WorldsMy Diary
Adults and children outside ironmonger's->Little Joe
Young carers->Little Mike
'Waif' girl->Mission Possible
'Waif' boy->My Dark Life
Playtime on the farm->Orphan Story
A street game->Penny UpArthur's Story
Old boys of the Croydon Home->Story of my Life
Swimming at Deptford docks->Ben, Charlie and Me


The Children's Society UNESCO logo Big
           Lottery Fund logo Wellcome Trust