[2][3] The stated aim of the charity is to "provid[e] practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across England".
Its original aim was to combine the efforts of various overlapping charities in London, which was felt to lead to discrimination, poverty and waste.
The society aimed to properly investigate the circumstances behind any charity claimants, and ensuring that relief should be sufficient to keep them above the poverty line.
These information centres were to give advice "about the family and personal problems and difficulties which will face people in time of war".
The bureaux were to be run by skilled volunteers whose work was recognised as "of essential national importance in time of war" as "soon as the need arises".