By 1844, eight boys and girls, twenty-two adult workers and three servants were living and working in the new building, which was called The Aberdeen Asylum for the Blind. All participated in a strict routine of gathering at 6am for breakfast, attending worship between 6.30 and 7am, then again when work finished at 6pm. Much of Saturday was devoted to studying Scripture.
An organ was installed in the hall used for worship and Miss Keith, who was from Banff but had attended the London Blind Asylum, was hired as organist and assistant to the matron.
Male workers were paid 5s per week while female workers were paid 4s 6d. Workers over the age of 50 were not generally admitted. One applicant aged 61 was turned away but was offered a small pension of £4 per year.
Among the clothing new residents had to acquire before admission, men and boys were expected to bring two night caps and three neckerchiefs, while women and girls had to have two upper and two flannel petticoats and a small shawl.
In 1845 Rev. Dr Glennie’s concern about wages being paid “beyond the value of the work performed” led to male workers’ wages being cut to 3s per week and female workers’ wages being cut to 2s. Workers with a higher output could earn more but where their output wasn’t sufficient, the workers’ home parishes were asked to supplement their income.
Two workers were dismissed in 1846 for posting banns indicating their intention to marry.
Attempts to cut costs and generate more income consumed the institution during these years. Part of the building was leased to the Orphan Board as a hospital until 1889. New workers joining the institution were asked to pay £2 5s or work for three months without wages.
In 1850 the manager’s salary was reduced from £50 per year to £40 and the new manager brought a swathe of money-saving measures, including dismissing all workers who had made no progress after three years of employment, though they would receive a small but unspecified monetary allowance; blind workers to be paid ten per cent below trade rates, due to the need for sighted supervision; the fixed minimum weekly wage was discontinued and no wages were paid for any holidays or days off work due to sickness or any other reason. Employees requested that they could start work an hour earlier so that they might be able to earn more wages; they were instead allowed to work an hour later in the evening. Each resident received 6d on New Year’s Day and a workers’ relief fund was established.
Workers continued to complain of low wages, of being moved from better paid to lower paid work and of general hardship. The work they were engaged in at this time included basket-making, twine-spinning and sheep net weaving. Twine-spinning was discontinued for being too unprofitable. The workers requested that they be excused from attending worship each evening after work and this was allowed, so long as they attend a place of worship on a Sunday and submit a half-yearly certificate of attendance authorised by a minister or church elder.
The first attempt at having a shop on Aberdeen’s main thoroughfare, Union Street was unsuccessful and short-lived. In 1868 the workers’ request to be paid for New Year’s Day and other holidays was refused.