Dockland Settlements

The Docklands Settlements were a network of amenity centres in deprived areas of London, intended to meet the social and spiritual needs of the local population at a time when there was no public provision of such services.

Other settlements continued to serve their communities (some of which were now far more prosperous) with a variety of social, sporting and cultural facilities, and were still functioning well into the 21st century.

[1] A secondary purpose was to promote in boys and young men from more privileged backgrounds a sense of social responsibility towards the less fortunate.

It was here, on a plot of ground provided by a supporter, that an iron mission church, St Alban and the English Martyrs, was built.

Each night the local lads would come in, and after some frolicing [sic] turn out the gaslight and have a free for all, breaking the furniture in the process; gradually, however, they came to respect the Mission and the voluntary staff and accept them as friends, and besides cards, draughts and other games in the small cramped rooms, were taught carpentry and boot repairing, though more often than not their boots were beyond repair.

1 continued through the 1920s and early 1930s, and eventually included a large activities hall, a gymnasium a swimming pool, a theatre, a roof garden and additional residential accommodation.

After the outbreak of the Second World War, most activities at the various settlements ceased; many buildings were requisitioned by the military, and there was extensive bomb damage.

However, by the 1950s the social and economic climate was changing; the advent of the welfare state and full employment rendered much of the settlements' traditional activities redundant.

1 was revived in 1958, following an initiative from the Bishop of Barking who, together with the former England cricketer The Revd David Sheppard, created the Mayflower Family Centre.

[5] The objectives of the new organisation were specifically Christian: "To serve the district in the name of Christ, trying to meet some of the some social and educational needs of Canning Town".

In 2005 Island History News reported: "If [Sir Reginald Kennedy-Cox] could return now he would be amazed at the new skyline of office blocks, but he would recognise the surrounding deprivation – the unemployment, the overcrowded homes, the lack of play facilities ... the work of the Dockland Settlements charity remains vital to the area".