The history of The Children’s Centre stretches back to 1868, when our founder and local philanthropist, Henry Bloom Noble, recognised that there was a large number of destitute children living in Douglas.
These children lacked housing, food, clothing and education, and it was realised that without help they children would most likely succumb to starvation or crime.
Whilst the location of the charity changed on many occasions, it remained a children’s home for over a century. In the 1980’s, our Trustees looked at the changing needs of young people and their families, and decided to make dramatic and far reaching alterations in the work of the charity – both to diversify and innovate - enabling the name change to ‘The Isle of Man Children’s Centre’, a much kinder and more suitable title for the wide range of services offered.
The past thirty years has again seen significant expansion for the charity, and change in the diversity of services we offer. Although we have grown as an organisation, our principles remain the same and we continue to strive develop our work with children, young people and their families.
Our name change to ‘The Children’s Centre’ in October 2009 is the result of a review into the way we present ourselves as a charity, our mission and our vision. With the completion of the ‘Building Blocks Appeal’ and the opening of our newly integrated buildings on Woodbourne Road, this is the perfect opportunity for us to reflect on our past achievements and look forward to an exciting and challenging future; a future where children, young people and families come first.
