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on each candidate will be submitted by me for the information of
the interviewer. Each candidate will be required to carry out her
duties under supervision for one week in a household to be selected
by the interviewer. This will entail normal cleaning, cooking, etc.
The welfare and efficiency of helpers is one of the chief concerns
of an Organiser. For instance, changing the households to which
a helper is sent creates variety and often adds to the interest and
outlook of the helper towards her cases. Some homes are known
to be difficult and the patients tedious, and work is more strenuous
in some places than in others ; and the Organiser watches for signs
of strain and occasionally switches round the rotas so that all
helpers get " the rough with the smooth
The success of the Service depends in great measure on the
Organiser, who should be able to inspire the helpers, enabling
them to take a pride and interest in their work. She has to be
careful to enrol only those women who have the necessary personal
qualities for the work, much of which may have to be done under
difficult conditions. The time spent on the preliminary interviews
of prospective helpers is important, since at the moment there is
no way—apart from references, which are of little use—of ascertaining
the helpers' attitude for the work. Helpers are therefore
engaged for a probationary period of one month.
It is impressed on each helper that her duties should never
infringe upon or interfere with those of the doctor, midwife or
nurse who may be attending a patient.
The following is an extract from a letter which I have received
from the son of a chronic case to whom help was supplied recently :
. . the Helper you sent gave complete satisfaction in
everything she did, her duties were performed cheerfully,
thoroughly and with such a kindly and sympathetic understanding
that she contributed greatly to my late mother's
peace of mind and endeared herself to everyone. Anyone
who is fortunate enough to be given the services of this Helper
will find that they have indeed a home, or more aptly, a homely
helper. May I thank you for your assistance and place on
record my pleasure at this Service which operates with speed,
lack of formality, and has for its object the provision of help
when it is most needed."
This is typical of letters of appreciation received from time
to time. There can be no doubt of the beneficent value of this