ABSTRACTThe early twentieth century has been seen as a crucial period in the development of British social policy. However, attention has been concentrated almost entirely on the increased role of the state, and in particular on the Liberal ‘welfare reforms’ after 1906. These developments have tended to mask the significant changes that were taking place in the field of voluntary charitable effort. One organization which emerged out of the ferment surrounding social policy in late Victorian and Edwardian England was the Guild of Help movement.The first guild was formed in Bradford in 1904 and embodied a new approach to the organization of charity. It rapidly expanded from Bradford throughout England and Wales and was in 1919 the leading organization which took part in the merger which created the National Council for Social Service. In this article the creation of the guild will be examined within the context of the changing economic situation, the growth of the labour movement and the nature of existing charitable provision in an attempt to give a critical assessment of the nature and role of this new body.
