Poverty, philanthropy and the state

Poverty, Philanthropy and the State looks at a number of charities in London between 1918 and 1979, and the ways in which they negotiated the growth of the welfare state and changes in the communities around them.

These charities – the ‘university settlements’- were founded in the 1880’s and 1890’s and brought young graduates such as William Beveridge & Clement Attlee to deprived areas of cities to undertake social work. Historians have a good understanding of how these charities helped to shape British social policy to 1918, but this study breaks new ground by looking at these organisations operated between 1918 and 1979. It is of interest to those who wish to know more about the complexities of the relationships between charities, the welfare state and individuals in the course of the twentieth century. Katharine Bradley argues that whilst the settlements often had difficulties in sustaining their work with the vulnerable, they remained an important factor between the individual and the impacts of poverty. This book looks at a number of settlements in East and south London, and their work in the Fields of healthcare, clubs, the prevention of juvenile delinquency, the care of ex-prisoners, legal advice and anti-racism.

Poverty, Philanthropy and the State is aimed at students and researchers in the fields of history, social policy, sociology and criminology. It will also be of interest to practitioners in the voluntary sector and government.

Contents:-

List of figures
List of tables
List of abbreviations
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1.  Historical contexts
2.  Living, working and volunteering at the settlements 1918-50
3.  Health and well-being
4.  Developing citizens
5. The settlements, the citizen and the law
6. Changing communities
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography