history

bassac began life as the Federation of Residential Settlements, which was set up in 1920.

This was renamed the British Association of Settlements in 1967, and later changed to the British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centres (bassac) in 1978.

Since then, bassac has continued to grow and has nearly 100 members, working in diverse communities across the UK.

Settlements have been located in local communities for more than 100 years. The movement began in the late 19th century in response to the urban poverty and social problems caused by industrialisation. 
 

Britain's oldest settlements, Oxford House and Toynbee Hall, are both bassac members and were founded in east London in 1884.