The following information on the Union Jack Shoe Black Brigade was kindly contributed by Ray Harris

The Union Jack Shoe Black Brigade http://www.victorianlondon.org/dickens/dickens-charities.htm

Shown on the 1881 census (RG11/468 folio 8 page 10) my ancestor Joseph Renowden (1819-1906) was shown as Superintendent of Union Jack (Rag) Brigade and his wife Mary (nee Philp) was shown as the Matron. There were two borders listed at his address at 8 Three Colt Street, Limehouse.

Thomas Sellers - aged 13 - born Limehouse - 'Boy of shoe black brigade'
Charles Illes - aged 13 -  born Shadwell - also 'boy of shoe black brigade'.

SHOEBLACK SOCIETIES' HOMES:

CENTRAL:   Saffron-hill, E.C.
EAST LONDON: 96, Mansel-street, Whitechapel, London.
ISLINGTON AND NORTH LONDON: 15, York-rd, King's Cross.  
NORTH-WEST LONDON:  241, Marylebone Road, London.
NOTTING HILL:  Prince's Road, London.
SOUTH LONDON:  223, High Street, Southwark.
TOWER HAMLETS:  23, Stepney Green, London.
UNION JACK SHOE BRIGADE:  Stepney Causeway, London.
WEST LONDON: Bessborough Place, Pimlico, London.