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55
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Infant Welfare Centre.—This Centre is held at 73, High
Street, and the work is carried on under difficulties owing to insufficient
accommodation. It is hoped that this drawback will be
remedied in the near future and allow of much needed developments
and improvements.
The Centre is open on Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m., and is
attended by mothers and babies and expectant mothers. The
Medical Officer is in attendance, and during the year examined 442
babies and 124 expectant mothers.
In addition to the Thursday afternoon session the Centre is
open every morning from 9 to 10.30 a.m., and on Saturdays to
12 a.m., in order that mothers may consult the Health Visitor.
A supply of dried milk or milk foods can be obtained during
the above hours.
Voluntary Helpers.—It would be difficult to carry on the work
of the Centre without the help of our voluntary workers. We are
very fortunate in having secured such able assistance as is given by
Miss Lovegrove, who acts as Secretary, Mrs. Stocker, who is a
trained nurse and assists the Health Visitor, Miss Firmin and Mrs.
Webster, who are responsible for the w eighing of the babies, and
Miss A. Chappie, who keeps the Register.
Sewing Class.—A sewing class for mothers was started at the
Centre during the year. Miss E. Bullett was appointed by the
Council as Instructress. The class is necessarily small owing to the
size of the room, but we hope to develop this branch of the work.
Whist Drive.—A Whist Drive was held in December, 1924, and
£30 was raised. This money has been very useful during 1925 in
helping needy cases with warm garments and extra comforts where
required.
Provision of Milk, Milk Foods, and Drugs.—During the year
£70 was spent on providing fresh cow's milk for necessitous cases
and £33 on dried milk and milk foods.