South Ayrshire Council - Ayr History - Social Welfare

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The need to help the poor and distressed was a continuing concern throughout the history of the Burgh. Before 1845 responsibility for helping the poor fell largely to the Church who had to collect and distribute aid to the deserving poor, though the Burgh Council and the trade incorporations would also assist, particularly in times of crisis.
Housing In the 19th Century the difference between the wealthy and poor of Ayr widened and this was especially noticeable in housing. The emerging affluent classes built opulent houses while the poorer population lived in ever-increasing slums. The Second World War galvanized the Council to develop major post-war housing policies to accommodate the demand for Council housing. Social Security With the establishment of the Welfare State in the 1940s many social services were transferred to Central Government, including Social Welfare and Health. The creation of the Ministry of National Insurance resulted in the demise of the friendly societies, which had previously distributed benefits.	Crime Before the 19th Century criminal cases were heard by the Burgh Court and its appointed constables (and the Sheriff court for more serious incidents). The Commissioners of Supply organised a County Constabulary in 1839, replaced by Ayr Burgh Constabulary in 1850. Ayr employed a hangman until 1834 and there are many famed cases of those who were hanged. Prisoners were held in the Tolbooth, until the building of the town jail beside County Buildings in 1822.	Poor Relief Help for the poor took the form of money or supplies of food or clothing. The main recipients were women and children without any family or friends to support them. From 1756, those unable to cope at home were admitted to Ayr’s first poorhouse. Such was the need that a new poorhouse was built in 1860, the Kyle Union Poorhouse, now Holmston House. Friendly Societies and the Kirk Session Since 1796 there were friendly societies concerned with support for their poorer members. These worked alongside the Kirk Session, which gathered alms for the Poor. When things became difficult the Council often stepped in to help and also managed a number of charitable legacies. From 1900 onwards there also emerged a number of charitable organisations such as the Society for the Deaf and Dumb.
	Health Burgh and Kirk collaborated in 1604 to build new provision for the poor in the form of a hospital. This was based on the bequest by Mary Queen of Scots in 1567 for ‘the support of a hospital for the poor, mutilated, and distressed persons, orphans, and infants forsaken by their parents’. From 1817 the Wallacetown Dispensary catered for those able to pay for the services of local doctors. These required to be recommended by a Church Elder, Minister or Incorporated Trade. The first County hospital was built in Ayr in 1883. The National Health Service became responsible for health and medical welfare from 1947.

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