Children’s homes are still unfortunately a necessity and part of our national care network, at least in the UK, but I’m sure discipline is kinder and more humane than it was back in the 1960s, when I was a resident in one such home near Newcastle upon Tyne.
I was placed in a home when I was seven and lived there until I was 16 and began working. My father died suddenly when I was just five years old – my mother went into a steep mental decline and was no longer able to look after me. As all her close relatives already had quite large families, it was decided the best thing would be for me to go into care.