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The temporary creche, organised by the Society of Day
Nurseries, was, for a third year, held in Battersea Park during the
month of August and part of September. Young children were
admitted at a nominal charge, and play pens, &c., provided. A
matron, with voluntary helpers, was responsible for the arrangements.
The Council undertook to store the shelter during the
winter months, but accepted no responsibility therefor, and they
bore the cost of erecting and dismantling it.
Invalid Children's Aid Association.
The Battersea Branch of this Association has since 1929 been
granted, rent-free, the use of a room at Southlands as an office.
The Council also make an annual grant of £50.
In November the Chairman of the Health Committee (Mrs.
A. A. Burton) was re-appointed to represent the Council upon the
Committee of the Association.
I am indebted to the Secretary of the Battersea Branch for
the following report on the work of the Branch during 1938:—
The Invalid Children's Aid Association is a voluntary organisation
which works in close co-operation with statutory and voluntary bodies.
Its aim is to give " Every Child a Chance " to become a self-supporting
citizen in so far as his physical disabilities will allow. The work includes
the provision of Convalescent Home treatment, the supplying and supervision
of surgical appliances and the Association undertakes a considerable
amount of home visiting at the request of hospitals, clinics, doctors,
etc.
The year 1938 was the busiest since the Branch was re-established
in 1932, 399 new children (in addition to nearly 300 re-applications) were
referred for help of various kinds. This is an increase of 43 new children
over last year. Of the total of 399 new children, 63 came from Borough
sources, 65 from School Medical Officers and Care Committees, and 223
from Hospitals.
In 1938, 24 children were supplied with surgical appliances at a cost
of £11 13s. 0d., and 191 children were sent to Convalescent Homes either
at the seaside or in the country, for an average stay of 7½ weeks, at a total
cost of £933 15s. 0d. This is an increase of £150 for an additional 26
children. The average cost of convalescence is 20s. a week for children
under three, and 15s. a week over three years of age.
176 children under five years of age were referred to us by Infant
Welfare Centres, Toddlers' Clinics, Hospitals, &c., for help of different
kinds ; 76 children were provided with convalescence or surgical appliances,
costing a total of £370 5s. 0d.
During 1938, 25 children were sent to the Branch by the Tuberculosis
Dispensary; 14 went for convalescence and 13 were boarded out
under the Tuberculosis Contact Scheme. The cost of maintenance for
the latter is borne by the London County Council, but a good deal of
work has to be done by the Branch in placing these children in homes,
buying outfits, providing escorts, &c., as frequently the mothers are too
ill to make any arrangements themselves.
Through the kindness of the Borough Council the Branch was able
to hold a Jumble Sale in the Welfare Centre at Southlands, which realised
£7 2s. 8d., and once again the Branch has to thank the Council for the
use of the grounds at Southlands for their Summer Fête, which made a
very welcome profit of £30 13s. 6d.