Settlement movement

The settlement movement started in 1884 in London. Growing concern in Victorian England concerning poverty gave rise to a movement whereby those connected to universities settled students in slum areas to live and work alongside local people. Through their efforts clubs and associations were started for education, savings, sport and arts. The British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centres BASSACis a network of such organisations in the United Kingdom. Birmingham University has produced a brief history of the settlement movement in the UK. Examples of the earliest settlements dating back to 1884 are Aston-Mansfield; Toynbee Hall and Oxford House.There is also an International Federation of Settlements IFSThis is a global network of settlements. The movement gave rise to many social policy initiatives and innovative ways of working to improve the conditions of the most excluded members of society. The Poor Man's Lawyer service came about because a barrister volunteered his time and encouraged his friends to do the same.