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17 [1933
REVIEW.—REPORTS OF THE WORK OF THE VOLUNTARY CENTRES
UP TO MARCH 31st, 1933.
North Centre.— This Centre issues a general review ol the work, but does not
include a special medical report.
The activities of the various Departments are summarised thus:—1. Three
(sometimes four) Ante-natal Clinics weekly; 2. One Post-natal Clinic weekly for
mothers; 3. Ten Children's Clinics weekly (Consultations for children up to five
years of age); 4. Visiting (professional and voluntary) daily in the homes; 5.
Morning Callers daily (mothers that come for advice); 6. Eleven L.C.C. Dental
Sessions weekly. Two, sometimes three, Centre Dental Sessions weekly. A Dental
Club; 7. Three Massage Clinics weekly; 8. A Sewing Class weekly; 9. Many Health
Talks weekly; 10. The training of Infant Welfare Students; 11. The training of
thirteen Infant Welfare Pupils (L.C.C. and M.C.C. Scholarship holders); 12. Five
Home Helps and a Home Helps' Club; 13. A Thrift Club and branch of National
Savings Association; 14. A Convalescent Fund; 15. Mothers' Committee and
Fathers' Committee; 16. "Light" Clinics daily; 17. Four Wards (three wards for
ailing children under two years of age, and one for three mothers with their babies);
18. Statistical Records.
The work of this Centre which extends over twenty years has been made the
occasion for a comparative statement in the Centre Annual Report of the mother
of yesterday and to-day. Parents attending the Centre can be pointed to as the
children who attended at its early beginning.
"Home Helps" have been on the Centre staff for many years. These have an
intimate knowledge of the homes and confirm the impression of the Committee
that the mothers of to-day exhibit much greater thought and intelligence in the
care of their children than those of 1913. Children are without doubt better fed,
clothed, trained and cared for, and as a result the standard of health is higher.
This, of course, applies to normal circumstances, for it is recorded in the report
that unemployment had caused much poverty during the year, leading in many
cases to great distress and possible result on the health of the children. The
improved standard now observed speaks well for the education, not only at the
Centre, but for all agencies and the modern spread of educational propaganda.
•
The Committee in the previous year had decided not to close down the "Light"
Clinic. It was recognised that the straitened circumstances in the homes would
prevent many mothers and children getting away for holiday or convalescence
during the summer. The actual number of mothers and children sent away by the
Centre (aided by the Benevolent Fund when necessary) was 15 less than in the
previous year, but the number that attended the "Light" Clinic was increased
by 30, and the attendances by 1,066. The Committee therefore have felt that their
action was justified in thus supplying a holiday substitute which has been so well
taken advantage of.
An interesting enquiry was made by the medical staff in regard to holiday
taking. 149 cases were enquired into—64 had a holiday during the year, 24 had
a holiday last year, 8 two years ago, 6 three years ago, 3 four years ago, 2 five years
ago, 15 six years ago, 3 had only a working holiday, and 24 never had a holiday,
or could not remember ever having had a holiday.