Scotland's Redress Scheme: combined annual report 2025

4.26 WCH Trust for Children

What funding have you given for emotional, psychological or practical support?

In our Constitution dated 24 August 2016, we put as our first charitable purpose, “To provide financial assistance and other benefits, from time to time, to former residents of the former Widowers’ Children’s Home, Edinburgh who are in need by way of ill health, financial hardship or other disadvantage”. We have a limited database of ex-residents (currently 31) and besides responding to individual requests for financial assistance, we pay each one an annual amount at Christmas - presently set at £210. We have also met with two ex-residents to hear their experiences while in the Home.

Advice given on accessing historical records

The Home was closed in 1980, and we did not take over management of the subsequent charity until much later. We have in the past contacted the previous Secretaries (KPMG) and have been told no records exist from the time the Home was operating. We also understand from KPMG that their understanding from Edinburgh Council is that they too hold no records regarding the Home.

Advice and assistance on tracing and reuniting families

We have had no such enquiries.

Activity relating to the provision of an apology to those abused

Our statement on joining the Redress Scheme as a Contributor is a matter of public record and we have notified all those who receive a Christmas cheque that we are a Contributor to the Scheme.