https://www.theforgottenboys.co.uk/



The Forgotten Boys began with a conversation among men who shared their experiences of childhood correctional punishment in UK institutions. This led to the formation of an internet self-support group, which eventually grew into The Forgotten Boys CIC, a formal organization dedicated to providing support and empowerment. Please watch our introductory video by Director Joe Langley.


The Forgotten Boys support men across all regions of The North East.

A short video to introduce The Forgotten Boys

Who are The Forgotten Boys?


The Forgotten Boys emerged as a beacon of support for men who endured profound trauma during their childhoods in correctional institutions, spanning the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. These institutions, including Borstals, Approved Schools, Public Schools, Children’s Homes, and Child Remand Homes, became breeding grounds for abuse, torture, and sexual exploitation, leaving lasting scars on those who passed through their gates.


Today, our mission extends to all men who have suffered abuse, trauma, or wrestle with suicidal tendencies. However, the journey to healing is fraught with unique challenges as many of these men find themselves seeking support from institutions with a history intertwined with their past traumas or abuse.


The Forgotten Boys was set up and is run by lived experienced practitioners, standing in solidarity with these men, acknowledging the mental and physical toll exacted by their experiences. Many battle homelessness, addiction, and entanglement with the criminal justice system, struggling to trust others and form healthy relationships. Tragically, some succumb to the weight of their suffering, taking their own lives.


Yet, amidst the darkness, The Forgotten Boys offer a glimmer of hope. We strive to illuminate the experiences of these forgotten individuals, advocating tirelessly for their rights and providing the support and understanding they so desperately need to heal and rebuild their shattered lives.


Together, we envision a future where every survivor finds solace, strength, and a path towards redemption. Through empathy, advocacy, and unwavering support, The Forgotten Boys pave the way towards a brighter tomorrow for all who have known the pain of abandonment and neglect.

 

Forgotten Voices of Child Abuse

Crimes against children should never be accepted, normalised or forgotten.

Dave (12yrs) “I was tied naked to hooks in the wall and whipped, years later Social Workers would hang Christmas decorations to those same hooks, not knowing what had happened thirty years earlier” 

Mick (14yrs) “I was taken to the garden, a garden fork was driven through my foot, I was then left there until dinnertime, pinned to the ground”

Alan (11yrs) “As a bed wetter I was beaten daily, then placed in a cold bath, they then covered me in cleaning powder, like AJAX, it burned into my skin” 
Robert (12yrs) “I was knocked out with a frying pan, and locked in the pantry, two days later the same women sat me onto a hot cooker, I was badly burned, but thrown into the same pantry”

Andrew (15yrs) "I was in local authority care, they did nothing for me except punish me, so I ran away. Within weeks I was kidnapped, forced to take heroin as a quality tester, as the drugs were taken from Hull, through York and into Manchester. I was beaten and buggered all the time. I escaped after two years. no one ever looked for me. I'm now sixty-two years old and absolutely broken"
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