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In maternity cases the work of the Home Helps has been invaluable, and the number
of cases has increased slightly. Since the scheme was introduced the service has been
given in four cases of toxaemia of pregnancy and this has enabled the mother to remain
at home with the family thus avoiding hospital admission.
There is always a list of women willing to be domestic helps and every care is taken
to engage the right type of workers for this very worthwhile service. Unfortunately
many good helps leave the service owing to their sensitiveness to sickness, and the demanding
attidue of some of the patients. A domestic help should not be looked upon as the
'cleaner' but a kindly person ready to serve those in need.
Training courses are held twice a year at Chelmsford. They are very much appreciated
by the Helps who attend.
An International Conference was held in London in 1961. A Domestic Help who
had been in service for 15 years was selected to attend from Dagenham. All present
were unanimous that all nations were united in their efforts to care for the needy.
It is not generally realised that personal care is given by domestic helps outside
working hours. It is often brought to my notice from an outside source that week-end
meals have been provided and taken to a sick person in need. In many cases, the more
able-bodied old folk have been collected by the domestic help and taken to her own home
in order to be given a change of scenery and to relieve their loneliness. Many Christmas
dinners were supplied and delivered by the Helps on Christmas Day.
A Christmas Social was held in the Civic Centre—included in the evening's programme
was a travel film, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
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