St John of God Training Centre (1953 - 1967)

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The St John of God Training Centre occupied the former site of the Methodist Homes for Children in Cheltenham and was approximately 20 acres. Subsidised by the Mental Hygiene Authority, the Brother's aimed to establish a home, special school and training centre.

An article published by the support group Broken Rites makes the point that

'Many SJOG inmates, especially wards of state, had behavioural or learning difficulties and were not necessarily born with an intellectual disability, although they certainly became educationally disadvantaged through their incarceration at St John of God.'

A commemorative plaque on the site in Cheltenham reads:

'Southland commemorates the service to children given on this site by Methodist Homes for Children 1892-1953 and the St. John of God Training Centre 1953-1967.'