The Forgotten Boys is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting men who, as children, suffered abuse within Correctional Institutions and other facilities of the British Borstal system. We recognise the deep trauma, mistrust, addictions, homelessness, and limited opportunities these men face, often as a result of systemic failures.
Through an equity-based approach, we provide trauma-informed, accessible support that addresses both the mental health challenges and the structural injustices that have shaped their lives. As a social enterprise, we reinvest our resources to ensure sustainable, long-term solutions for underserved populations who would otherwise have no access to critical support services.
At The Forgotten Boys, we are not just rebuilding lives—we are restoring dignity, hope, and the future that these men were denied.
A short video to introduce The Forgotten Boys
Please watch our introductory video by Director and Lead Therapist, Joe Langley.
About Us: The Forgotten Boys was founded through heartfelt discussions among men reflecting on their shared experiences of abuse within UK correctional institutions, particularly across the North of England. Facilities such as Lover Lee School, Ashbank Remand Home for Children, Tong Park Borstal, and Medomsley Detention Centre became central to these conversations, highlighting a painful and often overlooked chapter of systemic failure.
What began as an online self-support group has grown into a social enterprise committed to empowering men who have suffered abuse, exploitation, and emotional trauma. Today, The Forgotten Boys provides tailored, trauma-informed services to help survivors heal, rebuild, and reclaim their lives, while reinvesting resources to ensure sustainable, long-term impact for those who need it most.
Our Programmes and Services: At The Forgotten Boys, all our programmes are developed and run by lived-experience practitioners, ensuring an authentic, empathetic approach to supporting our clients. By combining therapeutic interventions with practical assistance, we address the diverse needs of men facing challenges such as PTSD, homelessness, addiction, and involvement with the criminal justice system. Our mission is to help these individuals overcome barriers, rebuild their lives, and regain dignity and purpose.
Professional Training and Advocacy: Beyond direct support, The Forgotten Boys offers Lived Experience Accredited Training for professionals working with vulnerable adults and at-risk children. This training enhances professionals’ understanding and effectiveness in providing trauma-informed care, ensuring individuals with complex histories receive the support they deserve. Recognising that many of our clients were harmed by the very institutions meant to protect them, our training also tackles the mistrust often felt towards traditional services, equipping professionals to rebuild trust with those they serve.
Pressure Drop Boxing Group: A cornerstone of our work is the Pressure Drop Boxing Group, a transformative initiative for men who have endured addiction, homelessness, abuse, exploitation, or childhood trauma within correctional institutions. By combining the physical discipline of boxing with a supportive and empowering environment, this programme fosters recovery, resilience, and personal growth. Participants gain not only physical strength but also the confidence and community needed to make lasting positive life changes.
The Golden Tear: A Symbol of Child Abuse Within the System
The Golden Tear draws inspiration from the facial tear tattoos worn by Borstal Boys in the 1970s—a silent mark of the pain, suffering, and systemic failures they endured. Reimagined as a national symbol, the Golden Tear honours all children who have faced neglect, abuse, or hardship within the Social Care, Educational, and Correctional Systems.
This powerful symbol serves as both a reminder and a call to action:
- A reminder of the children betrayed by those entrusted to care for, nurture, and protect them.
- A call to stand up for those who continue to suffer within these systems today.
By wearing the Golden Tear badge or sharing it on social media, you become part of a movement to raise awareness, spark crucial conversations, and ensure these children are never forgotten.
Take Action: Download the Golden Tear graphic below and share it to show your support for children affected by these systems. Together, we can shine a light on their stories and demand change.
#GoldenTear | #EndSystemAbuse
Raising Awareness About Operation Deerness: Operation Deerness is the dedicated investigation led by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman into the abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre near Consett. This ongoing inquiry seeks to uncover the truth, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure justice for those who suffered.
In the video below, Richard Tucker explains the purpose and scope of the investigation, shedding light on the commitment of the Operation Deerness team to support survivors and uncover systemic failures.
If you have been affected by the events at Medomsley or have information to share, your voice matters. The investigation team is here to listen and take action.
Contact Operation Deerness:
- Email: ppomedomsleyinvestigation@ppo.gov.uk
- Call/Text: 07511 165 266
Your story can help bring justice and change. Together, we can ensure no one is forgotten.
Support for Those Affected by Operation Deerness: At The Forgotten Boys, we are proud to be one of the recognised support organisations for Operation Deerness. We provide tailored, trauma-informed support to men who have been affected by the abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre, as well as to their families.
We understand how difficult this process can be and are here to assist anyone who may feel triggered or require additional help. Many family members—wives, partners, children, and siblings—reach out to us for guidance and support for their dads, husbands, or brothers who continue to carry the burden of this trauma.
If you or someone you know needs additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Contact Lewis Gell:
- Email: lewis.gell@theforgottenboys.co.uk
- Phone: 07359 494999
We’re here to listen, to help, and to ensure no one faces this journey alone.
What Was the Borstal System? The UK Borstal system was established in the early 20th century as a youth detention method aimed at reforming young offenders. The first Borstal was founded in 1902 in the village of Borstal, Kent, and the system was designed for boys and young men aged 15 to 21. Its primary goal was rehabilitation through strict discipline, vocational training, and education, preparing delinquent youth for reintegration into society. However, for many, the system failed in its mission, leaving these children as broken men, scarred by neglect and abuse.
The Borstal system was part of a larger network of institutions that managed young offenders and vulnerable children, each with a specific focus and approach. Over time, these institutions evolved, but they often carried overlapping functions of control and care. These included:
- Approved Schools/Reformatory Schools
- Industrial Schools
- Pre-Borstal Remand Homes
- Youth Detention Centres (YDCs)
- Young Offender Institutions (YOIs)
- Detention Centres
- Workhouses (Historical Context)
- Children’s Homes and Residential Care
- Mental Health Institutions (Asylums)
While borstals were distinctive for their emphasis on education and rehabilitation, the broader system embodied a patchwork of facilities designed to reform, control, or care for vulnerable children and young adults. Tragically, many of these environments became sites of systemic abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Forgotten Voices of Child Abuse
Crimes against children should never be accepted, normalised or forgotten.
ICO registration number ZB565007
