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118
Voluntary Work Aided by Borough Council.
Infant Welfare Centres.—There are three Voluntary
Societies for the promotion of Infant Welfare in the
Borough.
The first Infant Welfare Centre in Hammersmith was
opened in January, 1911, by "The Hammersmith School
for Mothers and Babies Welcome," at No. 1, Shaftesbury
Road East. The Centre was urgently needed, and in 1912
there were 132 babies on the register with an average
attendance of 50 per week.
The need for further centres was fulfilled by !he opening
of new branch centres at Becklow Road in July, 1914, at
the Presbyterian Church Hall, College Park, and Great
Church Lane in 1915, and St. Matthew's Parochial Church
Hall, Blythe Road in June, 1916.
In 1917 the Association moved its headquarters to No. 48,
Glenthorne Road and became known as "The Hammersmith
Infant Welfare Association."
A more complete scheme of Infant Welfare work was
organised, which included an Ante-natal Clinic and a
Toddlers' Clinic. The branch clinic at Great Church Lane
was closed and three-weekly consultations were held at
48, Glenthorne Boad.
In 1920 a second weekly session was started at Becklow
Boad Branch Centre and the Latymer Boad Mission opened
an Infant Welfare Centre in Blechvnden Street, Notting
Hill.
A further branch centre was opened under the auspices of
the Hammersmith Infant Welfare Association at St.
Michael's Church Hall. Old Oak Estate, in 1921, with one
weekly session which was increased to two the following
year.
In 1922 the Association decided to close down the Centre
held at the Presbyterian Church Hall, Ponsard Road,
College Park, owing to the poor attendance.
The Centre was subsequently reopened by the Presbyterian
Church Committee and is still being carried on.