From The Archives - Looking Back with Beatrice Reid

CEO Gary Dewar reflects on meeting a former House Mother, whose legacy continues to shape the lives of those she cared for.

One of the privileges of being CEO of Dean & Cauvin is responding to enquiries from former residents.

Recently, several former residents spoke warmly to me about Beatrice Reid, the House Mother at Dean House from 1970 to 1975. Through Shirley, a former resident who remains in touch with us, I was put in touch with Beatrice's daughter, Jackie. After a lovely telephone conversation and arranging for some flowers to be sent, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with them at their home in the Scottish Borders.

Beatrice was as warm, funny and formidable as I had expected. What struck me most was not just what she remembered, but who she remembered. More than fifty years on, she could still recall individual young people, their families, their personalities and the challenges they faced. Behind every memory was the story of a young person whose life mattered to her.

A Beloved Figure

As we looked through old photographs and shared memories over a cup of tea, it quickly became clear why so many former residents still speak about Beatrice with such affection.

Shirley told me:

"Beatrice was truly like a mother to us."

She added:

"She was the kindest person I ever met."

Perhaps the greatest tribute was Shirley's reflection on how Beatrice continues to influence her own family life today:

"How I have tried to look after my own children and grandkids is so often linked to me thinking about how Beatrice would do it."

During our conversation, Beatrice spoke passionately about her role. She championed improvements to the house, organised holidays to the seaside and worked tirelessly to ensure children were treated fairly and with dignity.

She fondly remembered the support of the community, local people who donated food, gifts and their time, alongside Governors who took a genuine interest in the children's wellbeing.

Long before terms such as "care experienced" became commonplace, Beatrice was also a fierce advocate for the children in her care. She spoke about challenging attitudes and assumptions when she felt young people were being treated unfairly, whether in schools, churches or other parts of daily life.

Jackie's memories brought this period vividly to life.

"My Mum's goal was to create a loving, homely, family environment for all the children. She succeeded."

Known affectionately as "Aunty Beatrice", and occasionally "Beetroot" by younger children who struggled to pronounce her name, she and her husband George became central figures in many children's lives.

All About Family

For Jackie, growing up at Dean House meant being part of a much larger family. She remembers picnics, Christmas parties, Luca's ice cream at the Governors' Party and Oscar the bloodhound, who was very much part of family life.

Reflecting on her mother's commitment, Jackie said:

"My Mum would put the children first and fight their corner to maintain a healthy, safe and happy home."

Eventually, changing approaches within the care system and Beatrice's desire to progress her career led the family to leave Dean House, a bittersweet moment for the family. Yet the connection has never faded.

"Dean House and all the children she looked after will always be special to her and myself. My Dad, “Uncle George”, who died in 2017, I am sure would feel the same."

Listening to these stories, I was struck by how familiar they felt. While much has changed in the care system, often for the better, the heart of the work remains the same. Behind the policies, services and professional language sits that instinct to care, to hope for young people and to create homes and communities where they feel valued, supported and loved.

Long before we spoke about being "a community for young people", Beatrice was showing what that looked like in practice every day. That is why her story, and the stories of the young people she cared for, still matter today.