Join the Coram Society
The Coram Society offers a series of thoughtfully programmed events and updates throughout the calendar year that bring together supporters of Coram and those working in our sectors.
Join us as we not only look back at Coram’s important history, but look around us and to the future at ways that we can collectively work towards better chances for children.
Upcoming events
We host regular events which tie Coram’s history as the Foundling Hospital to the work we do today to create better chances for children.
Keep an eye on this page to find out about our latest upcoming events.
Past event recordings
A Portrait of my Parents: Film Screening and Discussion with Philip Sinden
Monday 21 October 2024, 6 – 8pm, Coram Campus
Coram Society marked National Adoption Week 2024 with an in-person screening of a new short film, ‘A Portrait of My Parents’. ‘A Portrait of my Parents’ is a poignant, self-filmed documentary that follows photographer Philip Sinden on a deeply personal quest to uncover the missing chapters of his life. Driven by a profound desire to connect with his biological roots, Philip embarks on an emotional and often challenging journey, equipped only with determination and a handheld camera. As he navigates through various cities, the documentary captures the highs and lows, the anticipation, and the uncertainty that accompany his search.
Watch a recording of the discussion below.
“His Innocent Subjects”: A Historical Exploration of the 'Deserving' and ‘Undeserving Poor'
Monday 29 January 2024, 6 – 7.30pm, online
The dichotomy of the ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving poor’ can be traced back centuries, but still carries considerable weight in the popular perceptions and political narratives that surround socio-economic need. Our panel of speakers Polly Toynbee and Professor Harriet Ward examined how our understanding of poverty and need has evolved, or not, since the time of Thomas Coram, and the impact this has on the contemporary world.
Watch the recording below.
Forgotten Foundlings? Voicelessness and invisibility in the story of care
Monday 30 October 2023, 6 – 7.15pm, online
Coram Society and In Between Lines held an online event marking the close of Black History Month 2023. The event centred on the voices of those that have been missing from the historical record, as well as the experience of our speakers and young people in the Voices through Time: The Story of Care programme.
Watch the recording below.
Caring and leading – women of the Foundling Hospital past and present
Tuesday 28 March 2023, 4-5pm, online
A free event for Women’s History Month 2023, focusing on women who worked for the Foundling Hospital. These include the nurses who played such an important part in caring for the foundlings immediately after their admission and up to the age of five, and some of the inspectors who supervised the nurses. Speakers included Dr Kate Gibson, Coram’s historian Carol Harris and our CEO Dr Carol Homden who reflected on recent developments in the care system.
Watch the recording below.
Become a member
There is no joining fee but we are grateful for donations to support the work of Coram.
You don’t need to be a Coram Society member to join our events, but you will be the first to know about any new events if you sign up for our email updates. Please email events@coram.org.uk for more information or sign up using the form below.
Sign up for the Coram Society
Learn more about Coram’s history
We are digitising the oldest records in our archive to preserve Coram’s unique history, help care-experienced young people connect with their predecessors, and enrich thinking about care today.
Read more