RADICLE history
Early days
The services now managed by RADICLE have evolved from those set up by the Church over 100 years ago as part of their social and moral welfare support work for single unsupported mothers in London. This work, based in ‘hostels’, was managed by the London Diocesan Council and carried out under the name of WEL-CARE.
1980s WEL-CARE to CARIS
In the early 1980’s the management of the work of WEL-CARE was taken over by the London Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility (LDBSR). Towards the end of the 1980’s the LDBSR, having already increased the scope of its work to include Drop-in Centres for the elderly, wanted to develop community ministry work within urban deprived areas. The LDBSR changed its name to CARIS (Christian Action Response In Society) and in 1990 appointed a Community Ministry Advisor to carry out the new development work.
1990s RADICLE established
In 1994 CARIS retained responsiblity for the Community Ministry Development but transferred the management and financing of the service-delivery projects to a new Charity named RADICLE (Residential And Drop-In Centres London Enterprises).
Malcolm Johnson, Judy Barrett, Francis Khoo - RADICLE's three Chairs
RADICLE was Constituted and Incorporated in December 1995 as a Registered Charity No.1051409 and a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales No.3135106. All the appropriate responsibilities, funds and assets from WEL-CARE (via CARIS) belonging to hostels and drop-in centres within the London Diocesan structure were transferred to RADICLE. RADICLE continued to deliver services previously delivered by WEL-CARE in the Diocese in line with it’s purpose, mission, aims and objects.
CARIS further evolved into a Community Ministry department advising parishes and the diocese about social justice, community ministry and regeneration issues. Eventually the term ‘CARIS’ was dropped.
In 1997 RADICLE purchased a property from the Diocese in Whitechapel, East London which is currently used as the Head Office and as a residential scheme.
2000s RADICLE moves to Whitechapel
Initially RADICLE had an office at London Diocesan House. In May 2003 RADICLE’s Head Office relocated to its current location at 38 Newark Street in Whitechapel London E1.
RADICLE maintains close links to the Diocese of London who kindly continues to provide a number of services to RADICLE. However RADICLE is legally, constitutionally and organisationally an entirely independent entity.
Registered Charity No.1051409 Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England & Wales No.3135106 Tel: 020 7247 2458 Fax: 020 7247 6921 e-mail: headoffice@radicle.org.uk