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DOMESTIC HELP

Number of visits paid by Organiser 1,545 (1,400)
Average number of domestic helps employed each week 85 (80)
Number of night attendants on register 2 (—)
Number of visits paid by domestic helps 49,504 (46,332)
Number of visits paid by night attendants 15 (—)
There is little change over the past few years in the type of case calling for the
Domestic Help Service, but the demand continues to increase, particularly for the aged
and chronic sick. Frequently in these cases, the relatives refuse to help and the home
helps and the W.V.S. are the only links the sick and aged have to alleviate their loneliness
and boredom. Their needs from the Domestic Help Service are friendship as well as
for help in the house. To many of the old and infirm the home helps give much time
and care outside their duty hours, such as providing weekend meals and Christmas
dinners, or taking the more able-bodied into their own homes to relieve their loneliness.
The help given to those with tuberculosis, the service provided for maternity cases,
and the care of children whose mothers have had to go into hospital, are the three other
main calls on the service, but all together they do not now add up to more than a quarter
of the time spent in the care of the sick and elderly.
There is always a list of women willing to be home helps and every care is taken
to engage the right type of worker for this very worthwhile service, which is a big practical
contribution to the social services.
A training course is held twice a year at Chelmsford and is very much appreciated
by the helps who attend as it keeps them in touch with developments in the service.
The usual visit to a London theatre was made this year and was thoroughly enjoyed
by all.
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