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1936]
80
In the Autumn a communication was received from the North Islington Welfare
Centre forwarding plans of proposed re-building of the older part of the Centre
premises in view of its condition due to age and settlement. As this brought forward
the question of very substantial expenditure over a number of years, and there was
also a request for additional capital grant, the matter was one that could not be taken
up without very serious consideration and investigation into the financial commitments
and the actual work done at all Centres in the Borough, and was still before
the committee at the end of the year.
The following notes of general interest have been supplied by the respective
Centres:—
NORTH ISLINGTON INFANT WELFARE CENTRE.
6 & 7, Manor Gardens, N.7.
The Committee of the North Islington Welfare Centre are pleased to report that
Her Majesty the Queen has graciously consented to become the Patroness of the
Centre and Wards.
The help afforded by the Borough Council and their sympathetic interest in the
work of the Centre and their generous financial assistance has enabled it not only
to maintain, but to increase its work.
The assistance given by the Medical Officer of Health and the staff of the Public
Health Department has been very much appreciated.
The volume of the work accomplished at the North Centre in 1936-1937 has been
in excess of that of 1935-1936.
The attendances at the Children's Clinics have been over 500 more than in the
previous year.
Those at the Pre-natal and Post-natal Clinics have also been higher and the
number of visits in the homes has increased.
The exercise classes for nursing and expectant mothers held at the "Light"
clinic have inspired the members of the "Mothers" Committee to arrange a physical
culture class themselves, which is held once a week and is most popular and well
attended.
SOUTH ISLINGTON MOTHERS' & BABIES' WELFARE CENTRE.
Centre, 6, Clephane Road, N.l.
"Rose" Branch, 15, Popham Road, N.l.
Canonbury Branch, held at 100, Canonbury Road, N.l.
In addition to the routine work of the Centre which has been carried on as in
previous years, special attention has been given this year to the children between
two and five years old.
The Centre keeps in touch with the schools in its area in order that children
under five who start going to school, and then cease attendance owing perhaps to
ill-health, or to some other reason, may not fail to get medical supervision.
Another development which the Committee has long had in mind is the greater
use of the garden in the mornings for toddlers. This has now been made possible
by a small addition to the "Block Grant" received from the Borough Council, and
mothers may bring a lonely or difficult child, on the recommendation of the Doctor,
to play or rest, under the care of a teacher, while she herself gets on with her work.