Our History
We were first established by Father George Vincent Hudson in 1902 as the Birmingham Diocesan Rescue Society for the protection of homeless and friendless Catholic children. In his lifetime the focus of his work was children, their health and education and this continued after his retirement in 1935.
In 1979 the Birmingham Diocesan Rescue Society realised that care for children could no longer be the sole aim of the Society. From 1986 the priorities were set as children in need and their mothers, families in need, the elderly, disabled people and people with other needs. Belgian refugees had been welcomed in the First World War, and in the early 1980s Cottage Homes were used to home 40 Vietnamese refugees.
Father Hudson was a remarkable man and an exceptional priest, well ahead of his time in respecting the dignity of children, desiring to give them the best start in life. Our charity has been supporting our 5 themes for over 12 decades now, and continues to strive for protecting our most vulnerable groups. You can see more about our history on our timeline below.
2024
In July Coleshill Day Services opened their refurbished sensory garden.
In October we changed our name to Father Hudson's Caritas. Caritas means love, charity, care, concern for others. Having Caritas in our name better reflects our place nationally and internationally, ensuring we are visible both regionally as the social care agency of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and internationally as a Caritas organisation.
In October we changed our name to Father Hudson's Caritas. Caritas means love, charity, care, concern for others. Having Caritas in our name better reflects our place nationally and internationally, ensuring we are visible both regionally as the social care agency of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and internationally as a Caritas organisation.
2023
St Joseph's Care Home was rated 'Good' by the CQC in March 2023. In April Tabor House moved to St Catherine of Siena parish in the centre of Birmingham and was renamed Tabor Living. This doubled its capacity and allowed for the provision of move on independent accommodation.
Brushstrokes Community Project won the BBC WM Radio Make a Difference Award for Community Group in September. In November the Adrian Southall Community room was added to St. Vincent’s House, one of our supported living properties.
In December Nicolas Barré House welcomed its first guests. An accommodation project supported by Brushstrokes in partnership with the Parish of St John Henry Newman.
Brushstrokes Community Project won the BBC WM Radio Make a Difference Award for Community Group in September. In November the Adrian Southall Community room was added to St. Vincent’s House, one of our supported living properties.
In December Nicolas Barré House welcomed its first guests. An accommodation project supported by Brushstrokes in partnership with the Parish of St John Henry Newman.
2022
In April we reopened the one wing of St Joseph’s Care Home which had closed during covid, with much joy.
Tabor House reshapes permanently as 24/7 accommodation and support.
Refugee community sponsorship projects in Warwick, Harborne and Derby began.
Tabor House reshapes permanently as 24/7 accommodation and support.
Refugee community sponsorship projects in Warwick, Harborne and Derby began.
2021
A refugee community sponsorship project was established in Rugeley.
2020-21
Father Hudson’s services remained open.
During the pandemic Brushstrokes Community Project, and most adult care services remained open.
During the pandemic Brushstrokes Community Project, and most adult care services remained open.
Day Services closed for a period, reshaped their offer and reopened. All our other services continued throughout the pandemic in ways that respected the guidelines and legislation.
2018
Sophia House, in Birmingham, opened in September offering accommodation for up to three refugee women. A joint project with the sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd and Our Lady and St. Brigid’s Catholic Parish.
BRAID community sponsorship project was established by volunteers from the congregation in Blackfriars, Oxford who welcomed a Syrian refugee family through the Government community sponsorship programme with the support of Father Hudson’s.
Complete refurbishment of detached house in Coleshill that is part of St Vincent supported living service, for 3 adults.
Father Hudson’s invited by Sister Margaret, to become more involved in the Sanctuary charity at St Chad’s in Birmingham.
BRAID community sponsorship project was established by volunteers from the congregation in Blackfriars, Oxford who welcomed a Syrian refugee family through the Government community sponsorship programme with the support of Father Hudson’s.
Complete refurbishment of detached house in Coleshill that is part of St Vincent supported living service, for 3 adults.
Father Hudson’s invited by Sister Margaret, to become more involved in the Sanctuary charity at St Chad’s in Birmingham.
2017
Tabor House opened in Birmingham as the only permanent night shelter.
The Embrace project in Worcestershire was established developing creative ways of responding to the needs of older people.
The Embrace project in Worcestershire was established developing creative ways of responding to the needs of older people.
2016
Fatima House was established by the Columbans, the parish of St. Anne’s, the Archdiocese and Caritas AOB, and Father Hudson’s with the support of St Vincent de Paul, as a home for up to nine asylum seeking women whose applications have been refused but are being challenged.
The ‘Welcoming the Stranger’ initiative begins. During the year the worker engaged with 40 parishes and three schools.
The St Catherine’s Day Service Centre was refurbished with new multisensory room, the existing hydrotherapy pool completely modernised, and all facilities reshaped to suit the requirements of adults with complex needs.
The ‘Welcoming the Stranger’ initiative begins. During the year the worker engaged with 40 parishes and three schools.
The St Catherine’s Day Service Centre was refurbished with new multisensory room, the existing hydrotherapy pool completely modernised, and all facilities reshaped to suit the requirements of adults with complex needs.
2015
Anawim partnership project between the sisters of Our Lady of Charity and Father Hudson’s Society gains charitable status..
The new St. Vincent’s House supported living service opened providing ten modern apartments for more independent living
The new St. Vincent’s House supported living service opened providing ten modern apartments for more independent living
2014
St George’s Head Office in Coleshill opened.
The Young at Heart older people’s support Project in North Staffordshire was formed, working with three Parish/Pastoral areas.
The Young at Heart older people’s support Project in North Staffordshire was formed, working with three Parish/Pastoral areas.
2012
St. Andrew’s Residential Home in Coleshill is closed, and the new Domiciliary Care Agency is opened.
2011
Hope Community Project and New Heights Warren Farm obtained Charitable Status.
2009
Family Society – Adoption Focus formed out of Family Placements, and a separate adoption support agency was registered to continue with adoption support and Origins services.
2006
Start of the first Family Support Partnership Project with 4 Local Catholic Primary Schools in Stoke-On-Trent.
Over the next two decades new Family support services were established in different parts of the Archdiocese.
2005
Development of new Partnership working within Community Projects including Christ the King Project, in Kingstanding, and Maryvale Community Project.
2003
St Philip’s Community Centre, Smethwick refurbished to accommodate Brushstrokes Community Project
2002
Father Hudson’s Centenary Year
St. Joseph’s Residential Care Home opened.
St. Catherine’s Bungalows opened - 3 new purpose built bungalows for adults with multiple disabilities.
Family Placements office opened in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.
St. Joseph’s Residential Care Home opened.
St. Catherine’s Bungalows opened - 3 new purpose built bungalows for adults with multiple disabilities.
Family Placements office opened in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.
2000
Head Office moved to St Gerard’s Site.
1998
Hope Family Centre opened.
1985
Adoption Agency registered with Secretary of State.
1984
Commitment to develop Community Projects.
1982
Name changed from Rescue Society to Father Hudson’s Society.
1980
Major review of Work of Rescue Society begins – becoming broader based.
1970
Major changes in Social Policy/Legislation:
- To keep children with families through Adoption or Fostering
- Closure of Children's Homes began– all closed by 1988
1935
Monsignor Hudson retired – the work carries on for the next four decades.
1902
Birmingham Diocesan Rescue Society formed.
Major Developments:
- St Paul’s Home/School
- St Edward’s Home 1906
- St Vincent’s – Working Boys
- Cottage Homes
- St Gerard’s Hospital 1913
- Focus on Residential Care of Children and later Adoption and Mother and Baby Work
1898
Father Hudson appointed as new priest in Coleshill.