The charity was started in 1896 by "Kittie" Carson and Mrs Clement Scott[1] The first building was in Croydon.
At ages 15–17 pupils sat the School Leaving Certificate of Cambridge University and if 10 subjects were taken to Matriculation.
Over the years many from the theatrical profession gave time and money to the running of the Orphanage.
Past presidents of the Orphanage included Sir Gerald du Maurier, Noël Coward, Laurence Olivier and Richard Attenborough.
[2] The 1912 fund was re-established as the Actors' Charitable Trust and financial and care help was offered to those in need.