The Brothers of Charity Services in England stems from the Congregation of the Brothers of Charity, which is part of an international Religious Congregation with an overall administration in Rome and with foundations in more than thirty countries around the world. The Charity was founded in Ghent, Belgium in 1807 by Canon Peter Joseph Triest (the St Vincent de Paul of Belgium). The name ‘Brothers of Charity’ was given to the Brothers not by their Founder but by the people of Ghent where they first served amongst the poor and the neglected elderly.
The Brothers of Charity came to England in the late 19th century and developed services for Children at Rochdale in 1887 and at Thingwall Hall, Broadgreen, Liverpool in 1903. In 1932 they established their first service for persons with learning disabilities at Lisieux Hall, Chorley in Lancashire.
Since the late 1950’s the Brothers of Charity Services in England have concentrated exclusively on the provision of services to adults with learning disabilities in Lancashire and in Merseyside though they have recently become involved in offering supports to adults with learning disabilities in other parts of the north west of England. In response to the choices and aspirations of those we support, a wide range of supports in a great variety of settings are now offered. These include Supported Living, Registered and Nursing Care, Supported Employment, Social Enterprises, Specialist Day Services, Floating Support, Respite Services and Community Access.
Services and support are provided to people regardless of their religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation or race. In the United Kingdom, the Brothers of Charity specialise in services for adults with learning disabilities.