AN APPEAL

THE BELFAST CHARITABLE SOCIETY 

has, for a Century and a half, provided a home for a large number of poor persons of a respectable class and good character, in their Old Age.

The Committee are now obliged, for the first time within living memory, to make a General Appeal to the Public for the means to provide for the maintenance and comfort of the Aged people who are Housed in their Institution.

The Society's Income, which is mainly derived from old Endowments, was, before the War, barely sufficient to meet all necessary Expenses. Today, with prices doubled, or trebled, it is quite inadequate, and the Committee are faced with a heavy and growing Debt.

There is at present a waiting list of 44 Applicants for Admission, and this number is steadily increasing. There are 40 Vacant beds in the Institution, but the Committee are unable to admit even the most deserving and necessitous cases.

In spite of the restricted numbers, and of the most careful Economy, the close of the last Financial Year shed an adverse balance due to the bank.

The Committee are anxious that the usefulness of this old-established charity should not suffer through lack of Funds. They also desire, if possible, to raise the standard of comfort provided to equal that of any modern Institution. It is estimated that, to carry out these objects, an additional income of at least £1,000 per annum will be required. 

The Committee, therefore, Appeal to the Citizens of Belfast to support them by becoming Subscribers, by increasing their present Subscriptions, or by Gifts of Money for Investment, or reduction of Debt.

All Subscribers of £1 1s, or upward, are members of the Society, with a right to attend and Vote at its General Meetings and can nominate suitable persons as Candidates for admission to the Institution.

In conclusion the Committee make this appeal to you in the confident hope that you will generously assist them in meeting their present urgent necessity

Shaftesbury President 

Alex. Cooke Treasurer,

C Gordon Ewart Hon Secretary

February, 1921.

THE BELFAST CHARITABLE SOCIETY was founded at a Meeting of nineteen leading Citizens at the "George Inn" on 28th August. 1752, when a Scheme was set on foot to build a Poorhouse and Hospital, and a Lottery was organised to provide the necessary funds. 

The Promoters of the scheme were occupied for nineteen years in collecting money and materials and considering designs, and on August 1st.1771. was laid the Foundation Stone of the building now known as the Charitable Institution. 

In the year 1774, the Earl of Donegall. with certain Public officials, and all Subscribers of one Guinea. were Incorporated by Act of Parliament, under the title of The President and Assistants of the Belfast Charitable Society." and In the same Year the House was opened.

Provision was made at first for about 50 inmates, but the numbers grew so rapidly that in 1820, just one hundred years ago, there were 330 in the House, many of whom were destitute or deserted Children 

Deserving poor, who could not be taken in, were given Licenses to beg and (badges to commend them to the Charity of the Citizens.

For many Years this Society was the only Public charity in Belfast, and discharged all the duties of the present Poor Law Guardians, Water Commissioners, General Hospitals, Dispensaries and Lunatic Asylum, in addition to certain duties now undertaken by the Police, It also provided a new burying-ground for the town.

With the rapid growth of the Population it became necessary to transfer many departments of the Society's work to other bodies, and in 1811 the introduction of the Poor Law system relieved it of the general care of the Poor of the town. 

From that date it has been the aim of the Society to provide a home for old people of good character, who have lived useful lives, and who, in their old age, and through no

fault painful of and their humiliating own, are brought to be forced to poverty.

To such persons it would be most painful and humiliating to be forced to seek admission to the Workhouse

Every application for admission is very carefully investigated by the Committee.

There are now 140 beds in the Institution—35 for Men, 63 for Women, and accommodation for a few married couples.

Hospital wards are maintained for Male and Female inmates, with trained nursing staff, also two “Infirm Wards" for very old or feeble persons. who, though not actually ill, require constant attention.

Many interesting and historic relics of old Belfast are preserved in the entrance hall and boardroom of the Institution and on the walls are tablets bearing the names of benefactors from the earliest time to the present day. 

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