18 Stepney Causeway, London

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Dr. Barnardo opened No. 18 Stepney Causeway in December 1870 as a home for working and homeless boys. The property was on a 99 year lease at £57.00 per year. The home housed 60 boys in 5 bedrooms. In 1908, No. 18 Stepney Causeway provided trade training and general education.

In 1871, an 11-year old boy called John Somers (nicknamed 'Carrots') was not taken in because the shelter was full. He was found dead two days later from malnutrition and exposure. Thomas decided not to limit the number of children he helped. From that time on the home bore the sign 'No Destitute Boy Ever Refused Admission'. The ever-open door at No. 10 Stepney Causeway opened in 1874 for homeless children. Number 10 stayed open until 1939 when Stepney was evacuated. It never re-opened after the war.

On the 19th April, 1922, 260 boys marched out from Stepney to go to their new home^[1]. The Prince of Wales who later became King Edward VIII opened the school officially on 17th November 1922

The trade training section of the home closed in 1923 and it was used as a reception home and Head Office.

Stepney Causeway closed its doors for the last time in 1969 when the staff moved to their new headquarters at Barnardo House, Barkingside.