Our Mission

To promote within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Leeds the relief of poverty and distress among children and those who through economic or family circumstances or physical or mental affliction are in need of such relief.

Our Background

Catholic Care is a charitable organisation working on behalf of the Diocese of Leeds. We offer a wide variety of services and support, not only to the Catholic population, but also to people of any or no religion in the wider community.

Our history of helping children started in 1863 when an orphanage for girls was opened at Richmond Hill , Leeds 9, to be followed by a home for boys, in Claypit Lane , Leeds 2, in 1879 and a mother and baby home, in Leeds 2, in 1911.

In this region we are the longest serving voluntary child welfare organisation with continuity history, and experience of caring for children that spans 135 years. During that time we have had several name changes, starting as the Leeds Diocesan Protection and Rescue Society, changing to Leeds Diocesan Rescue, Protection and Child Welfare Society in 1944, the Catholic Child Welfare Society in 1964. In 1993 our name changed again to Catholic Care to take into account the development of services for adults with learning disabilities, supported housing schemes for people with a long-term mental illness, services for the elderly and school based social work.

In 1943 we registered as an Adoption Society but we had been directly involved with placing children for adoption since 1926 when the first Adoption Act made it legally possible to adopt children. From the very beginning, over a hundred years ago, we have been active in placing children in families and supporting these families to look after children who are no longer able to live with their families.

Whilst we are the longest serving adoption agency in this region with a wealth of experience and knowledge we remain small and approachable. Our adoption team consists of five people, with one member permanently based in Sheffield to cover South Yorkshire and the other four in Leeds who cover West and North Yorkshire .

The advantage of being small is that we are flexible and in a position to respond quickly to people who are interested in adoption. Our adoptive parents soon get to know not only the adoption workers but the back-up administration staff too.

Fundraising

Each year the Diocese allows Catholic Care to make an appeal for funds to undertake our work within the Diocese. This work has grown from the work started by Catholics in this Diocese in the middle of the 19th Century.

Each year the Catholic Schools in our Diocese contribute to the Good Shepherd Appeal; which supports the work of Catholic Care. This support from schools is a long-standing tradition within the Diocese as work with children in need has been ongoing almost 150 years, and continues to this day. However, Catholic Care works not only with children in need but also with many other people who require care and assistance including people with learning difficulties and those with a mental health problem. This work takes place in schools and residential homes as well as in people’s own homes.

Catholic Care relies heavily upon voluntary contributions in order to continue its work and indeed to expand. Your continued support is invaluable, especially in today’s economic climate when so many other organisations are seeking charitable help.

We know that friends out in the Diocese very generously support our Annual Appeal and Good Shepherd Appeal, by buying our Christmas Cards or by making a donation at Christmas. The best way we can make things happen is through committed and ongoing support, and we give our thanks to those that already regularly donate.

We receive funds through:

• Donations
• Gift Aid
• House Boxes
• Legacy

Our Services

CHILDREN’S RESIDENTIAL

We have five children’s homes in Leeds , Boston Spa and Bradford , that offer medium to long term care for children and young people who can no longer live with their own families for a variety of reasons.

RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR ADULTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

There are six small homes, in Skipton, Bingley, Dewsbury, Todmorden and Leeds , which provide residential care for adults with learning difficulties. Each of the homes has a different and unique character, we hope that all have a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

SUPPORTED HOUSING FOR ADULTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES

We have four supported housing schemes for people with mental health difficulties in Leeds , Bradford and Sowerby Bridge . The projects offer self-contained accommodation with communal facilities and on-site professional support.

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK AND FAMILY SUPPORT

A school and parish based social work service providing advice, support and counselling for children, young people and their families, as well as support to teaching staff. Our team of six, work in 42 primary schools, 15 high schools and colleges, as well as parishes and the community.

ADOPTION AND FOSTERING

Our adoption agency is the longest established agency in the Yorkshire , Cleveland and Humberside regions. We place children from throughout the country with those who wish to adopt and we also work closely with those that have been adopted through our agency in the past.

OLDER PEOPLE

Catholic Care works in partnership with the Huddersfield Deanery Project, in seeking to address practical, social and spiritual concerns of older people.

Financial History

Sources of income in the year ending 31st March 2005
Income source	% of gross income	£000
1. Voluntary income	2.5	102,537
2. Activities for generating funds	1.0	38,945
3. Investment income	1.3	52,267
4. Incoming resources from charitable activities	95.2	3,842,750
5. Other incoming resources
Total	100%

 

The charity's most significant activities, and expenditure
Charitable activities	Cost £000
Residential Care - Children	1,540,328
Residential Care - Adults	1,485,194
Mental Health Projects	297,664
Other	371,792
Total expenditure on charitable activities	3,694,978
Total expenditure	3,893,396

 

The charity's three main fundraising activities and results, and costs
Fundraising activity	Income generated £000	Cost of activity £000
1. Good Shepherd	55,348	2,097
2. Annual Appeal	19,102	3,307
3. Christmas Card Sales	2,630	2,517
4. Other	28,097	3,308
Total voluntary income and activities for generating funds	77,926
Total cost of generating voluntary income and fundraising trading	11,225

 

Financial Year Start	Financial Year End	Gross Income	Total Expenditure
01 Apr 1998	31 Mar 1999	£1,560,372	£1,647,340
01 Apr 1999	31 Mar 2000	£1,678,228	£1,623,291
01 Apr 2000	31 Mar 2001	£3,167,097	£3,071,798
01 Apr 2001	31 Mar 2002	£2,843,794	£2,979,073
01 Apr 2002	31 Mar 2003	£3,303,794	£3,345,367
01 Apr 2003	31 Mar 2004	£3,528,737	£3,563,414
01 Apr 2004	31 Mar 2005	£4,036,499	£3,893,396

 

Trustees

MRS LYNDA HANSON

RT REV ARTHUR ROCHE

MRS EVA PATRICIA TOHER

MR JOHN CANNING

REVEREND MONSIGNOR JOHN MURPHY

MRS PATRICIA BASTIAN

REVEREND PETER DAWBER

REVEREND CANON PETER MAGUIRE

MRS MARY AGNES GHOSE

MR STUART WILLIAM HANLON