Ruth’s story
Ruth Miller, pictured here in nurses uniform
Ruth was born in 1937 and came to the Foundling Hospital in Berkhamsted, aged five, in 1942. She left in 1950 and went on to become a continuing governor of Coram as she remains today.
Ruth, who went on to become a professional health visitor, believes that it is very important to share the stories of the children who attended the Hospital with future generations so that we can all learn from their experiences.
“I have mixed feelings about my time at the Hospital. I think their aims were good. In some respects we were very lucky, we had a swimming pool, a gym and acres of land so our physical health was greatly enhanced, but there needed to be more emphasis on our mental wellbeing.”
Read Ruth’s full story here
John’s story
John Caldicott, former Treasurer of the OCA
John’s mother was 27 when she became pregnant. After a few months, she lost her job at a laundry and found herself on the street with nowhere to go and no support from her family. John’s mother appealed for him to be admitted to the Foundling Hospital as her only alternative would have been a Public Assistance Institution, formerly known as a workhouse.
After being admitted to the Foundling Hospital, John was taken to live with a foster family in the countryside until he was 5 years old (as was standard practice at the Hospital), before he returned to Berkhamsted for his school years.
“Former Foundling pupils are not unique, we need to understand that children in the 30s, 40s and 50s in other institutions and boarding schools had similar experiences. It is by understanding and learning from history and past practices that organisations such as the former Foundling Hospital, now known as the children’s charity Coram, are able to provide an abundance of innovated services to our children today.”
Read John’s full story here
Lydia’s story
Lydia Carmichael
Lydia Carmichael is a founding member of the OCA. She grew up in the care of the Hospital in the 1940s and 50s.
“Identity to me is very important. Throughout my childhood I had no idea who I was, where I came from and where I was going. As an adult, I began to appreciate who I was, and what I hoped to achieve during my lifetime. This was achieved through living in the real world and being accepted as a person in my own right.”
Eleanor’s story
Eleanor Allen, photo ©Julia Claxton
Former pupil and OCA member Eleanor tells her story of growing up in the Foundling Hospital, her life after leaving and her important work with the Old Coram Association. She also gives an important message to care experienced young people:
“Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed about being in care… it’s not your fault, you needed looking after and you shouldn’t be ashamed. As you get older you survive these things which other people think are handicaps, they’re not… So be yourself.”
