Description:Home 7 was initially a home for boys only and, as such, was on the right side of the drive. At the back of Home 7 was the sports pavilion.
In 1948, Home 7 remained as a home for boys only with accommodation for 18 boys. In 1949 it was given the name Birkdale.
In the 1950s, Birkdale, along with the mixed home of Glenedyth opposite it, was sponsored by the G6 Gas Turbine Department of Joseph Lucas Ltd. Several of the homes in Erdington, and in Shenley, had this type of arrangement with companies in which the children would be befriended by ‘aunts’ and ‘uncles’, given gifts at Christmas and taken on outings. The Gas Turbine Department took the children of Glenedyth and Birkdale to pantomimes, bought them a scooter and held birthday parties for them. The arrangement even led to one family working at the Department, fostering three brothers from Birkdale.
By 1979, the number of beds had been reduced to 12 and both boys and girls were living there.
In 1982, when the city’s residential childcare was divided into districts, Birkdale was in the North/East District. Other children’s homes on The Gardens, such as Braemar and Glenedyth were serving the West District.
The home closed in 1987.
Image: A letter dated 19th December 1955 from SF Wilkes, the Superintendent of Erdington Cottage Homes, thanking the G6 Dept of Joseph Lucas for their support of Birkdale and Glenedyth.
Source: This history was compiled by the Birmingham Children's Homes Project, an initiative to explore Birmingham City Council-run children’s homes between 1949 and 1990.