FOMV

Ancoats Healthy Homes Society, 1889

The Healthy Homes Society of Ancoats was established in 1889 with the goal to both spread awareness of diseases and provide teaching and instruction to the working class people of Ancoats to empower people to live a healthier lifestyle. This would include hosting lectures of leading doctors and medical scientists of the period. These lectures were held across a multitude of local halls and event spaces, from the famous University Settlement Roundhouse to the now forgotten New Islington Hall. The society did not solely provide lectures however, the society also conducted door to door information campaigns, hosted social events and helped clean community spaces.

The society was also somewhat active politically, as the society would often appose or support council motions regarding the health and well being of the people of Ancoats. Though, its activities were limited and overshadowed by the actions of the famous Ancoats Brotherhood. Whilst Charles Rowley was involved in the founding of both the Ancoats Brotherhood and Healthy Homes society, he took no later part in the leadership of the Society he helped found. Instead, one of the men most attributed to the societies initial success was Mr William Birkbeck who was considered the former “Father of city council”.

Whilst the exact date of the dissolution of the society cannot be found, its last public mention was in 1916, suggesting that the society ceased its functions during the first world war. Though the decline of the society could be seen from the beginning of the war in 1914 when questions were raised over whether the society was worth while to continue, with the society reporting only a sum of £22 remaining.  

For more information on some of the topic covered, follow these links:

Resources on housing in Manchester (pre-1919) https://medium.com/special-collections/resources-on-housing-in-manchester-pre-1919-608c310a0f8c

New Islington Baths (And Hall) https://www.bathsandwashhouses.co.uk/archive/your-local-buildings/manchester/manchester-new-islington-baths/