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1938] 28
I am indebted to the Welfare Centres for the following summaries and observations
on the work done during the past year:—
NORTH ISLINGTON WELFARE CENTRE & WARDS,
6-9, Manor Gardens, N.7.
The Committee are pleased to report that they have now completed 25 years
of work for the welfare of children in North Islington, which continues to show
progress and expansion in every phase of the work. The interest taken by the
parents in the welfare of their children is evidenced by the increased number of
children on the books and in the record number of new cases. The improvement
in the education of the mothers is apparent from the increased number of requests
that are received for " special " visits to their homes, and the use made of the various
clinics of the Centre.
The Committee are grateful to the Islington Borough Council for their support
and for their generous grant in aid of the work of the Centre and Wards. They deeply
value the co-operation of the Medical Officer of Health and his Assistants and of the
officials of the Council. They would like to place on record their appreciation of the
co-operation that exists between Dr. Hirst, Assistant Medical Officer, Islington
Borough Council, and the Medical and Nursing Staff of the Wards.
The Committee are fully conscious of their responsibilities in case of a national
emergency. The Centre and Ward Staff including most of the domestic staff have
attended a course of lectures and obtained Wardens' badges. During the September
crisis, both the doctors and staff devoted many hours to the fitting of gas masks and
to arrangements for the evacuation of children.
In co-operation with His Worship the Mayor, Councillor D. McArthur Jackson,
J.P., the Centre supplied 250 free Christmas dinners to necessitous families. A
Christmas tree, laden with toys and woollies supplied by the Civil Service, " The
Daily Sketch," the Knitting Guild and many other friends, helped to make the
distribution a truly festive one which was honoured by the presence of the Mayor
and Mayoress of Islington. The friendly address given by his Worship the Mayor
was warmly welcomed.
3,486 dinners have been given to necessitous expectant and nursing mothers
and their toddlers during the year for which Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor
Mrs. J. L. Blythe, J.P., contributed £13 3s. Od.
The Mothers' and Fathers' Committees have had regular meetings, when lectures
on various subjects affecting Child Welfare have been given.
The Mothers' Committee has organised a Sale of Work and a Concert from which
the Centre benefited by £57 Is. 8d. They also continue to attend physical culture
classes. Also Arts and Crafts classes at the Tollington Park Women's Institute.
The Fathers' Committee has organised dances by which they raised £50 in aid
of their Benevolent Fund. They also assisted at the distribution of Christmas dinners