Response to the Northern Ireland Truth Recovery Independent Panel report

A Salvation Army Spokesperson said: "The Truth Recovery Independent Panel report is an important opportunity to shine a light on how so many mothers and their children were failed. The Salvation Army is especially grateful to the mothers who shared what were often painful testimonies about life in Mother and Baby Homes. 

"Thorndale House in Belfast was used as a Mother and Baby home until 1977.  The intention was to care for vulnerable women but we know that many did not get the help and love they needed and deserved and for that we are profoundly sorry. 

“We welcomed the opportunity work with the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland to make digitised records from Thorndale available to the Truth Recovery Independent Panel. It is right to expect The Salvation Army to reflect on a time in our history when it is clear that women and children in our care were let down and we have a lot to learn from mothers and their children about the deep reaching impact of life in mother and baby homes.”

More information about The Salvation Army’s role in mother and Baby homes including our formal apology here