From 1906 Clement Attlee volunteered at Haileybury House, a club for working-class boys in Stepney. Whilst in the East End Attlee became a resident at Toynbee Hall, and it was here his politics swung to the left, leading him to join the Independent Labour Party. Life at Toynbee Hall educated Attlee about the social conditions of the poor and went on to influence his time as Prime Minister. He served as secretary at Toynbee Hall in 1909 and in1945 was appointed President.

Find out more about Attlee’s time at Toynbee Hall in this Icon Booklet.