It was established in 1894 by Dame Grace Kimmins (1871–1954) et al. to provide resources and education for disabled boys to enable them to make a productive place for themselves in society.
Play was seen as a major positive addition to the more traditional methods of learning by rote and of other much more drilled aspects of the elementary schools of the time, especially when teaching the physically handicapped.
This resonates with teaching in mainstream schools today where play is a part of the UK's National Curriculum for all children.
Juliana Horatia Ewing's 1885 novel The Story of a Short Life inspired Kimmins to start the Guild to help children with disabilities.
Grace (and later Ada Vachell took their motto ‘Laetus sorte mea’ (‘Happy in my lot’) from Ewing's book.