5 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EB
5 York Place today
On 30th March 1868, the Edinburgh Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor (now EVOC) began at 5 York Place. In their first annual report, the Association estimated that there were around 20,000 families in Edinburgh who needed support. In order to reach all these families and assess their needs, the Association relied on volunteers – 1,247 in the first year who visited upwards of 18,000 households. As well as trying to alleviate material poverty, the Association also sought to make sure that all children attended school, helped making living conditions more hygienic, and worked to prevent temporary destitution from becoming permanent pauperism by encouraging independence and self-support. Their motto was, “Help for those who will help themselves.”
First annual report
Photo credits: Ema Smekalova and EVOC