A brief history:

The trustees made a successful competitive bid to the local Roman Catholic diocese that enabled us to obtain the former presbytery in St. John Street, Tamworth on a medium term lease. The property was redecorated and upgraded by staff and volunteers supported through professional help and charitable grants.

Some of the ground floor was utilised for offices for our staff, together with a training room which can be made available for community use when not required by ourselves. No major structural changes were made to the building, but some internal building work was necessary. As a result a home was created for a total of six mothers and babies to be accommodated at any one time.

This has now been operating successfully since opening on 1st August 2014 and has been highly beneficial not only to the families but also providing significant savings to both Borough and County councils, who have continued to refer homeless expectant mothers to Number Eight, where otherwise they would have been accommodated by Social Services or in some cases would have to ‘sofa surf’ with friends or family.

Normally Number Eight would prefer to accept referrals of mothers shortly before they give birth and accommodate them until the baby’s first birthday.