View report page

73
Earl's Court Infant Welfare Centre.
The Welfare work for poor mothers and children in the Queen's Gate, Earl's Court, Redcliffe
and Brompton Wards is performed at this institution. As most of the houses and flats in these
wards are occupied by persons who can afford private medical advice and treatment, one Centre
is found sufficient; but owing to the large area to be covered, some mothers have to travel considerable
distances to reach the Centre in Warwick Road. The size of the area increases the
difficulty of home visiting.
Infant consultations are held twice weekly, dental clinics fortnightly, and ante-natal clinics
once monthly This Centre also has a Maternity Club.
Golborne Infant Welfare Centre.
This Centre serves that part of the Golborne Ward north of the Great Western Railway main
line. Although the area allotted to the Centre is small, it is one of the most densely populated
districts in London. The people living in this district are generally poor and there is a very wide
scope of work.
Infant consultations are held twice weekly; expectant mothers have been seen privately at
these consultations, but special ante-natal sessions will be commenced during 1927. Mothers and
children receive dental treatment at the Raymede Dental Clinic. Sewing and Cooking Classes are
held, and dinners are provided for necessitous mothers free of cost or at reduced prices.
A trained nurse is employed by the Committee of the Centre to assist in the home nursing of
expectant and nursing mothers and sick infants.
There is an average daily attendance of 29 children at the Day Nursery attached to this Centre
Lancaster Road Infant Welfare Centre.
This Centre serves parts of the Golborne, St. Charles and Pembridge Wards. Infant consultations
are held three times a week and ante-natal clinics twice monthly. Dressmaking and
Sewing Classes are held weekly. Dinners are provided free of cost or at reduced prices for
necessitous expectant or nursing mothers and children. Dental treatment is provided at the Centre.
Various clubs are organised for the benefit of mothers.
A special feature of this Centre is the Father's Council, which was instituted in 1922, and was
the first of its kind to be formed in the Country. The objects of the Council are (1) to bring home
to fathers the responsibilities that rest upon them in giving the child a proper start in life, (2) to
advance the interests of the Centre, and (3) to raise funds for the Centre by means of entertainments,
etc. They are a most energetic body of men, and are taking a keen interest in the working
of the institution.
The daily number of infants received in the Day Nursery attached to this Centre averages 21.
Raymede Infant Welfare Centre
This Centre serves parts of the St. Charles and Golborne Wards, and is one of the largest
institutions of its kind in Kensington. The corner house, in which the Centre is established, is
particularly well adapted for the work to be carried out. Five Infant consultations and one antenatal
session are held each fortnight. A dental clinic is attached to the Centre. Sewing Classes
are held weekly. Various clubs for the benefit of mothers are organised.
There is a Mothers' Council which does excellent work and a Fathers' Council has been
established. Those who have joined are exceptionally keen and have been of assistance to the
institution. The objects of the Fathers' Council are identical with those of the Lancaster Road
Fathers' Council, with whom they work in unison and harmony.
A Children's Massage, Medical Gymnastics, and Electrical Treatment Centre is conducted on
the premises at this Centre, but it is managed by a separate Committee.
Dental Treatment.—All the Centres provide dental treatment.
Each Welfare Centre endeavours, as far as possible, to make the scheme of dental treatment
self-supporting by charging such fees as the mothers can pay and by obtaining the dentures at a
very low rate.
Although the dentures are generally not more than £4 to £5 for a complete set, they are very
well made and give considerable satisfaction.