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The Committee extended its functions during the year.
These now include the provision of financial and other assistance
to patients, the raising of funds by voluntary subscriptions
through the Christmas Seal Sale, the reference of cases to other
bodies and organisations, generally to see that patients' needs
were met where circumstances necessitated action, the handicraft
class, and the additional item being the formation of a small
library for the use of patients.
As before, most of the cases which the Committee considered
were referred to it by the medical staff and health visitors of
the Chest Clinic.
The Committee's work during the year 1951 is given in
detail below. The Christmas Seal Sale, which continues to be
supported mainly by the generosity of the citizens of Camberwell,
was the chief source of income to the Committee's fund —which
enabled them to continue the work of assistance to those who are
in need.
Once again Camberwell's collection in the Christmas Seal
Sale for the year ended 31st March exceeded the sum collected
by any other Metropolitan Borough.
The London County Council made another contribution
of £30 from the proceeds of Sunday cinematograph entertainments,
for which the Committee are grateful.
The Handicraft Class continued to meet every Friday
afternoon. During the first six months there were 16 students
on the Roll and the average attendance per session was 12.
During the second half of the year the Roll increased to 18 students
with an average attendance of 13. Eight students left
the class during the year, four became fit for work, three moved
from the Borough, and one took full-time training under the
Government Training Scheme.
During the early part of the year the women students
expressed a wish to make underclothing and night attire, and to
assist them in this work the Committee provided the class with
an electric powered sewing machine With such assistance the
women students have in a practical manner turned their wish
into many garments and the work has been successful. The
Committee, considered “music while you work” for the students
and purchased a radio receiving set for use during the class
sessions. It is pleasing to record that appreciation by the
students was reported to the Committee.
Many ex-students have maintained contact with the class
by visiting occasionally when they are able to do so.
The work carried out in the class included leather work,
cane work, glove making, embroidery and needlework, dressmaking,
sea grass stool making, silk lampshade making and
knitting.