Coram Marks 275 Years of Creating Better Chances for Children

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I write a lot about how to spend your money on yourself to have a good time in London. However, on the 275th anniversary of Coram – one of the Britain’s first children’s charities and the world’s first incorporated charity – I would like to share with you how Thomas Coram helped to improve the lives of some of Britain’s most vulnerable children and young people and the lasting legacy of his kindness.

Coram has been “creating better chances for children” since 1739 when The Foundling Hospital opened in Bloomsbury (very much Central London today but at the time the area was mostly farmyard). The hospital was the 17 year ambition of philanthropic sea caption Thomas Coram, to provide “for the maintenance and education of exposed and deserted young children.”

Today, the aims of Coram and The Foundling Hospital are furthered by the Thomas Coram Foundation for Children (or just Coram for short) which works with children separated from their parents, supports vulnerable families, and lobbies on policy and practice issues in childcare through its various services, such as adoption.

I found out a lot of this information during a special history walk through “Thomas Coram’s London” (with appearances by Mr Coram himself!) as a celebration of the 275th anniversary of the signing of the royal charter subsequently leading to the creation of the hospital.
The walk took place October 17 and was a one off. But there might be plans for more in the near future. If more happen, I’ll let you know. I had a delightful time and reckon the walks could be a fantastic way to raise funds and awareness for Coram.

For folks keen to learn more about Coram and its history, there’s the Foundling Museum (in Bloomsbury next to Coram HQ) which tells the story of “London’s first home for abandoned children” and of three major figures in British history …

… its campaigning founder the philanthropist Thomas Coram, the artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel. The Museum’s nationally important collections are housed in a restored and refurbished building adjacent to the original site of the Hospital, which is now Coram Fields children’s playground near Russell Square.

The Foundling Museum is located at 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ. Find out more at foundlingmuseum.org.uk and coram.org.uk.

About tikichris

Chris Osburn is the founder, administrator and editor of tikichris. In addition to blogging, he works as a freelance journalist, photographer, consultant and curator.
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