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52
CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN MORAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION
The Carville Home at 43 West Avenue Road, Walthamstow, is a
Home for unmarried mothers and their babies and is administered by
the Walthamstow Deanery Branch of the above Association.The Home
provides accommodation for a total of 16 mothers and their babies.
Miss M.H.Ward,Superintendent of the Home,contributes the
following details
"The ages of residents has not been quite so low
during the past year. There were 26 in their 20 s and 2
in their 30 s. In 1963 we has only 1 fourteen year old
and 1 fifteen year old mother. This is accounted for by
the fact that the Diocesan Maternity Home in Brentwood
is now fully staffed and able to take most of the young
expectant mothers.
"More mothers kept their babies, in a number of
cases going home direct from hospital. Quite a number
of Old Girls'continued to keep in touch although I
expected there would be a falling off after Miss Williams'
retirement at the end of 1962. A successful Old Girls
party was held early in the New Year, the ages of the
children ranging from six months to 7 years.
" The relaxation classes continue to be most successful
and are greatly appreciated by the expectant mothers. We
are indebted to the Health Visitors who run these classes,
and in fact to all the Town Hall staff.
It is with the greatest regret that 'Carville severed
its connection with Dr. Helen Watson on her retirement.
She has been the Medical Officer of the Home for a great
number of years and has always been most helpful and
willing to assist at any time if we have been worried over
the health of one of the babies.
"The table attached summarises the Indoor Work for
1963. It will be noted that there is a decrease in the
number of admissions compared with the previous year and
this was owing to some last minute cancellations by girls
who found themselves able to remain at home or stay with
relatives. Of the total admitted 10 were unable to
settle down and did not stay very long.