Today we are in the depths of a major economic crisis where there is much discussion about the role of individuals vs the state in the ‘Big Society’, and the deserving and undeserving poor. But these debates are not new. This conference explores some of the ways in which the nation, communities and individuals coped with past economic crises, famine, poverty, sickness and other disasters.

State and Church sponsored aid, such as the Poor Law in Glasgow and Dundee poorhouses, will be considered, with advice on archival sources. The former sailing ship ‘Mars’ at Dundee provided an industrial school for destitute boys from 1869-1929. The programme includes a look at care in the 19th century (the elderly in Sutherland and provision of hospitals in the Highlands) as well as self-help groups (West Lothian friendly societies and Trinity House of Leith). These topics will be of interest to local, family and social historians.