View report page

WELFARE
General
St. John Ambulance Association:
The local headquarters of the St. John Ambulance Association are situated at Hartington
Road, Southall, and the honorary officers are Dr. Mary Ellis, of Lansdowne House, High
Street, Harlington, Divisional Surgeon; Miss E. Hobson, 20, Elmfield Road, Southall,
Acting Superintendent, Nursing Division, and Mr. H. S. King, 44, Northcote Avenue,
Southall, Divisional Superintendent, Ambulance Division.
The work carried out is as follows:—
Home Nursing and Nursing Equipment. The St. John Ambulance Nursing
Division has been trained in Home Nursing and First Aid to the Injured.
It also lends Nursing equipment for use in the home from the Medical Comforts
Depot in Hartington Road, open every evening (except Sunday and
Bank Holidays) from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. for the issue of articles needed by
the public. During the year 469 articles were lent under the scheme—a
considerable increase over the 1956 figure of 369.
Welfare—General. The St. John Ambulance Brigade carried out trainings in
First Aid and Home Nursing for all who cared to take advantage of the service,
also special courses for Civil Defence Volunteers and for Scouts and Guides.
The members of the Nursing and Ambulance Divisions carried out many other
duties including attendance at local cinemas, sports, fairs, Old Folks' Clubs,
accompanying old people's group excursions to the seaside, Hospital duties,
Camp duties with Girl Guides and Brownies, also Sick Visiting. Members
also took part in duties further afield, including London Airport, London
theatres, concerts, etc.
British Red Cross Society:
Southall became a Division on its own once again, when it was separated from Ealing
in October, 1956, and Mrs. M. Jerden-Cooke appointed Divisional Director. The small
building in the Park, hitherto used only for the distribution of Medical Loan Equipment,
was made habitable by the end of the year, following a vain search for more suitable Headquarters.
Formerly known as "The Hut," it was renamed "The Green Door," and was
soon in use for First Aid lectures, meetings, and general office work, and on the last day of
January, 1957, the Handcraft Club for Disabled People was opened, and has steadily
increased its membership during the year.
Basket-work made by the Club, and entered in the Show held during the Borough's
Charter celebrations in August, took all three prizes in its class, and was greatly admired.
Throughout the year, the Division has endeavoured to carry out its many and varied
activities, in spite of small membership. The one Detachment has worked hard to support
the newly formed Division, and there is a strong link of the Junior Red Cross at the Western
Secondary Girls' School. Some of the young members assist at the quarterly Blood Donor
Sessions, which are held at the Shackleton Hall. They also help at the local Hospital at
week-ends. Home-Nursing lectures are held at St. Bernard's Hospital training-school,
by kind permission of Matron, the Detachment's Nursing Superintendent.
Activities in the Borough include:—
Instruction in First Aid, Home Nursing and the training of candidates for the National
Hospital Service Reserve.
Provision and carriage of books to house-bound tuberculous patients.
Welfare visits.
Hospital library facilities.
Nursing in the home.
Escort duties to and from Hospital for the sick, aged, blind people and children.
23