Guild of Help and the Changing Face of Edwardian Philanthropy. The Guild of Help, Voluntary Work and the State, 1904-1919

The Guild of Help was formed in Bradford in 1904 and quickly spread to oust the Charity Organisation Society as the major component of British charity in the early 20th century. It arose at a time of concern about 'National Efficiency' and the condition of the poor. Its main aims were to organise community help for the poor, through the organisation of voluntary helpers, to act as clearing house for charity provision, and to improve the working relationship between charity and the state. The Guild was, therefore, central to the treatment of poverty, and closely involved in the issues of social control, New Liberalism, community consciousness, the new Liberal state welfare measures and the activities of public bodies..