Gentlewomen's Work and Help Society
1891-1982
Archives
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Executive Committee minutes 1891-1982; Employment Bureau Sub-Committee minutes 1927-1939l Training Funds Sub-Committee minutes 1899-1943, 1970-1980; Minute book containing minutes for the following committees: The Employment Bureau Sub-Committee, Special Sale Committee, and the Advertising Sub-Committee 1939-1953; Sub-Committee of the Ladies' Work Society minutes 1902-1909, 1918-1938; Loan Training Fund Sub-Committee minutes 1934-1970; Princess Christian College minutes 1937-1963; Benevolent Fund Sub-Committee minutes 1901-1929, 1953-1981; Annuities Funds Committee minutes 1931-1981; Minute book for meetings relating to the Bequest of R.W. Williamson, which the Gentlewomen's Employment Association and the Princess Christian College were both recipients of part of this estate 1932-1937
Record ledgers 1894-1945; Training Fund accounts 1894-1931, 1911-1923, 1970-1980; Ladies Work Society accounts 1909-1925; Financial accounts ledger 1926-1949; Benevolent Fund accounts 1933-1964; Record ledger for the Benevolent Fund 1936-1941; Register of Members and share ledger 1920-1947
Christmas list papers 1960s; Papers relating to Training Fund grants and there repayments by successful applicants 1966-1977, Various other papers
Booklets relating to the Princess Christian College 1981; A book with annual reports for the Gentlewomen's Employment Association and Ladies' Work Society 1892-1939; Annual Reports
(incomplete set) 1893-1980
Related Material:For the records of the Princess Christian College see M753.
Title:
Gentlewomen's Work and Help Society
Date of work:
1891-1982
Reference number:
GB127.M413
Level of description:
Fonds
Includes:
Custodial history:
The history of the Gentlewomen's Work and Help Society lies in the creation of the Gentlewomen's Employment Association (G.E.A), which was established in 1891. The G.E.A.'s original objective was to promote the employment of women in Manchester, from the 'educated classes' whom for whatever reason had financial troubles. In 1893 the G.E.A. created the Loan Training Fund, with the aim to provide financial aid to women who were unable to fund their own training in the form of loans, which were to repaid once employment was gained. While this fund would help towards fees for training courses in dressmaking and other forms of employment, by the 1970s it was also helping towards costs for university degrees.
In 1894 the G.E.A. amalgamated with the Ladies' Work Society (L.W.S), and the work continued to help women in financial distress, with the creation of the Benevolent Fund in 1895. This fund provided grants to women who were unable to work and living in poverty, helping to pay the costs of fuel bills and other necessities. In 1899, under the patronage of Princess Christian (1846-1923), the Princess Christian College for Nursery Nurses was established.
Members of the G.E.A&L.W.S. established the Gentlewomen's Housing Association Ltd. in 1946 with the intent to help house women who were unable to find suitable accommodation. Purchasing a number of properties, the Association was able to provide accommodation at a reduced rate, and created a fund to help those that the G.H.A. were unable to house. This company would remain active until 1997, when its assets were transferred over to the North Counties Housing Association Ltd.
In the 1970s the G.E.A.&L.W.S. would close and its assets and funds transferred over to the Gentlewomen's Work and Help Society. But the Society was also to close in 1981, with a poor economy and rising costs making things too expensive to carry on. It must be noted that while this company, in its many guises, was based in Manchester, it gave aid to women across the country.
Finding aids note:
Old Location2BX42/P5.3-P6.4 (main seq), P1.1 (os), A9.1 (os)Box
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedThis material is stored off site and we require 2 weeks' notice in order to retrieve it.
Records less than 50 years old are on restricted access (this is the wish of the depositor)Since the Society no longer exists we may need to make decisions relating to access to records less than 50 years old. Use Data Protection / FOIA procedures
Use restrictions:
Unrestricted
Record types:
Manchester Archives and Local Studies
Language:
English
Record number:
7195002
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