Collection GB 0074 CLC/143 - HELP YOURSELF SOCIETY

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 CLC/143

Title

HELP YOURSELF SOCIETY

Date(s)

  • [1951]-1986. (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

1 production unit.

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

In 1923, the London Stock Exchange Dramatic and Operatic Society decided to put on additional performances to provide funds for hospitals. In order to augment the money raised, a Christmas Draw was organised and people and businesses in and around the Stock Exchange were invited to donate prizes. A separate organisation, the Help Yourself Society, was formed in 1927 to run these fundraising activities. Subscribers to the Society were entitled to a draw ticket for each subscription paid (originally half a crown). The funds raised were distributed amongst institutions and organisations nominated by the trustees of the Society. Many of the gifts donated for the draw were deliberately of a comic kind and from 1926 details were published in a catalogue. This became the Help Yourself Annual which was published until 1950 when it was replaced by a gift list, later by a newsletter and subsequently by a list of prizewinners. After the Second World War, with the creation of the National Health Service, the Society shifted its support from hospitals and large institutions to smaller charitable organisations which relied on voluntary contributions for the bulk of their income. The Society was wound up in 1986.

Archival history

GB 0074 CLC/143 [1951]-1986. Collection 1 production unit. Help Yourself Society , fundraising charity

In 1923, the London Stock Exchange Dramatic and Operatic Society decided to put on additional performances to provide funds for hospitals. In order to augment the money raised, a Christmas Draw was organised and people and businesses in and around the Stock Exchange were invited to donate prizes. A separate organisation, the Help Yourself Society, was formed in 1927 to run these fundraising activities. Subscribers to the Society were entitled to a draw ticket for each subscription paid (originally half a crown). The funds raised were distributed amongst institutions and organisations nominated by the trustees of the Society. Many of the gifts donated for the draw were deliberately of a comic kind and from 1926 details were published in a catalogue. This became the Help Yourself Annual which was published until 1950 when it was replaced by a gift list, later by a newsletter and subsequently by a list of prizewinners. After the Second World War, with the creation of the National Health Service, the Society shifted its support from hospitals and large institutions to smaller charitable organisations which relied on voluntary contributions for the bulk of their income. The Society was wound up in 1986.

Given to the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library in October 1993 and catalogued shortly afterwards by a member of Guildhall Library staff. The whereabouts of the archives of the Society are unknown. The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.

Printed material and circular letters relating to the Help Yourself Society, a fundraising charity.

One file.

Available for general access.

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

English

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

June to August 2010. Charitable organisations Charities Medical charities Finance Financing Fundraising Health services Medical institutions Information sources Documents Charity records Associations Organizations Hospitals Budget contributions Help Yourself Society , fundraising charity City of London London England UK Western Europe Europe Nonprofit organizations

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Given to the Manuscripts Section of Guildhall Library in October 1993 and catalogued shortly afterwards by a member of Guildhall Library staff. The whereabouts of the archives of the Society are unknown. The Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section merged with the London Metropolitan Archives in 2009.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Printed material and circular letters relating to the Help Yourself Society, a fundraising charity.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

One file.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area