York Dispensary Trust was formed in 1788 at a time when insanitary conditions among the poor of York led to high rates of ill health and death. 

A meeting of established notables of the city invited donations and subscriptions to fund free advice, medicine and visits to the “deserving sick poor” of York, as specified in the original trust deed.  This service was provided one day a week by medical and surgical staff who attended the Dispensary with home visits for patients in the city who could not attend.

Initially the Dispensary met in the Merchant Adventurers Hall but after eight years the rooms were unsuitable and demand was growing.  The Dispensary moved to various buildings eventually settling in Duncombe Place near the Minster, where the buildings still bear the inscription as testament to the hospital that the charity developed.  A main occupier today is Gray’s Solicitors and the Gray family were prominent in the formation and development of the York Dispensary Trust.

Over one hundred years later, poverty and poor housing conditions remained a serious problem in York, identified in the influential survey by Seebohn Rowntree in 1899.  Since the formation of the National Health Service in 1948 and an overall improvement in education, health and housing, support is still required for some people experiencing financial hardship and with health needs.

In its current form the charity award grants to ease need not covered by state provision.  A block grant is administered by City of York Council which makes small grants to individuals on behalf of the charity.  The trustees also make limited grants to local organisations. 

A more detailed history of the York Dispensary Trust can be found in papers held at the Borthwick Institute, which is part of the University of York.