Sadly, after over 150 years of service, Sandes Soldier’s Homes closed in Sep 23 and Sandes has ceased its service to HM Forces.
The charity was started in 1869 by a young woman, Elise Sandes. She was deeply concerned for the welfare of English soldiers in her home town of Tralee who were scorned by civilian society. Recognising the temptations and loneliness of these men serving away from home, she went against the prejudice of her time offering them friendship and inviting them to meetings in her mother’s home.
She inspired many others to catch her vision. Starting with a coffee room in Tralee the work quickly developed and Sandes Homes were opened throughout Ireland and England. Elise used the phrase a ‘Home from Home’ to summarise her radical vision. The social, emotional and spiritual needs of soldiers were paramount and this was appreciated by the military command who warmly invited Sandes into their establishments. The work followed the Army overseas to South Africa, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Iceland and France. Elise became known as the ‘Mother of the British Army’. Sandes was a sanctuary in the midst of the challenging military environment, where soldiers knew they would be welcome, regardless of rank, beliefs or background. Elise spent her life caring for soldiers and was given a full military funeral upon her death. The headstone on her grave reads ‘For 66 years The Friend of Soldiers’.
Recent years
In recent years Sandes remained faithful to the same vision of providing friendship and support for the military community as a witness and practical expression of the Christian faith. Until May 2023, Sandes Centres continued to operate in Northern Ireland (Lisburn, Ballykinler and Holywood) and in England (Pirbright and Harrogate).
The Centres were distinctive as neutral, non-military spaces within the army camps. They aimed to provide catering and recreational facilities along with quiet areas for people to unwind and relax in a homely atmosphere. Families and personnel of all ranks were made to feel welcome and staff were on hand to offer friendship and a listening ear to soldiers, many of whom faced incredible pressures. Family support was also a feature of the charity, which became a much-loved welfare service for many.
The loss of Sandes will be felt by many in the Armed Forces community who valued the refreshments, support and friendship on offer. For some individuals, the Sandes Centres and their staff feature highly in their personal journey of faith, as they were provided with spiritual as well as temporal sustenance. For further details see www.sandes.org.uk
