My happy memories of Hampton Manor – went there when I was 15, I was a resident. I was about 60 when I came out. I LOVE being on my own. I was nervous at first. I am 82 now.

I have happy memories of Caroline and other women from “The Manor” coming to Church. Their happy and unpretentious…

…demeanour made services more joyful.

And I loved the Christmas Fayre at “The Manor”. I still have trays and table covers I bought there.

I met one of the older ladies from Hampton Manor after she & others were “decanted” (the oftenward used word at the time) to another care home.

This lady was a matriarchal figure and interesting to talk to about previous times. Her current home was being closed and she was angry at being moved yet again. However the community based service she moved to proved to be a positive, person centred experience.

Singing with the brownies & the magical Christmas fair! [At Hampton Manor]

28 or so years ago I applied for a job at Middlefield. I would be working on a ward of women… they all had children out of wedlock. They were ‘locked away’ for ever. Never to see…

…their children again. A form of punishment. They did not have LD [learning disability] or MH [mental health] – later ‘in care’ they did.

I used to give a lift to St Philip’s Church in Dorridge to Norman at Freshfields and Ralph in a house at Bentley Heath…

…They really enjoyed going to church.

Thank you for putting on such an interesting and insightful exhibition – I’ve learned so much. Ellie x

I worked in services similar to Hampton Manor and Middlefield in the London/Kent area. People (clients and staff) grew into the culture of such places and when change came many found it difficult. Much of society was also dubious or outright…

…against the move to the community (event parents of those in hospitals). There were some very bitter and angry moments from some quarters… so it was good to see people do well and prosper (and have experiences they never imagined) once they’d moved.

I remember at Solihull College looking forward to the Hampton Manor ‘Ladies’ coming in for their courses and teaching Caroline in ‘Equal People’.