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The century-long history of the Salesian Sisters in Great Britain has been one of courage, vision and readiness to undertake whatever was needed to turn that vision into reality. The changing world of society and, therefore, of young people has meant that the Sisters’ response to them has never been a static one but has demanded adaptation, flexibility in recognising and embracing new challenges in new environments and a willingness to try new methods and technologies while not abandoning the principles that have made them a force for good for many children and young people.

On their arrival in Battersea-London in 1902 in what was then a very deprived area of the capital, only one of the first group of Salesian Sisters could speak English. Unperturbed, they set to in their role supporting the educational work of the Salesians, supervising the domestic arrangements for the community and the pupils. Alongside this humdrum, tiring work, they found time to undertake some informal education by running an out-of-school club for the disadvantaged children of the area. This was the first of many such clubs that continue to be run by the Sisters up and down the country.

A year later, the Bishop of Southwark, Francis Bourne, who had known Don Bosco personally, invited the Sisters to Chertsey, another needy town, to open a school and establish a noviciate for the training of local candidates to the order. Chertsey was to become the hub of the congregation in Britain for the best past of ninety years. From there, other communities would be established in the south of England, mostly in places of particular need, be it material, spiritual or moral. – in Chertsey, Farnborough, Cowley-Oxford, Dovercourt, London-Soho, Windlesham, Henley-on-Thames, Hastings, and eventually two more in London - operating schools, homes for children at risk, a flourishing hostel for young women, many of immigrant families. Everywhere the Sisters also worked in the parishes, teaching catechism and supporting families and promoting associations of committed lay Catholics.