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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, Divisional Superintendent, Nursing Division, and Mr. W. Adams, 98, Carlyle
Avenue, Southall, Divisional Superintendent, Ambulance Division. There are 23
Nursing Members, 4 Officers, and 16 Auxiliary Members.
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 Sundays
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 370 articles were lent under the
scheme—the 1959 figure was 435.
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, also Sick Visiting. Members also took part in duties
further afield, including London Airport, London theatres, concerts, etc. The
amount of voluntary time given to this good work is great and increasing.
During 1960, 1,233 hours were spent on Public Duties, 193 on Hospital Duties
and 308 on Miscellaneous Duties.
British Red Cross Society:
The Southall Division of the British Red Cross Society made good progress in 1960,
and membership rose to 136.
The Girls' Cadet Unit increased, and seven members qualified to receive Proficiency
medals in First Aid. The "New Members" Group did very well throughout the year,
and provided interesting work for those ladies who had some spare time, and who liked
to work for the Red Cross, but on non.medical work, without the need to take examinations
and wear uniforms.
A new mixed Detachment was formed in June. The first course of Mental Health
lectures to be held in Southall was given by the new Detachment's Nursing Superintendent,
also Principal Tutor at St. Bernard's Hospital. The Disabled People's Handcraft Club
had also an increased membership, and much pleasure was derived for the housebound
by their weekly visits to this Club. The Red Cross assisted in the after.care of patients
from Mental Hospitals, by accepting suitable ones as members of the Handcraft Club.
Other activities by the Southall Division included Training and Instruction in First
Aid and Nursing, Mental Health and Welfare work, visiting, Medical Loan Depot (332
loans were made in 1960). Escort duties, transport for the sick, clerical work and
assistance at all National Blood Transfusion sessions, Handcraft Club for the Disabled,
after.care and emergency help for disabled ex.servicemen, First Aid duties at the local
Rugby football ground and the London Festival Hall, assistance as casualties and
"casualty fakers " at Territorial and Civil Defence exercises at the Hayes training ground.
Club for Disabled Persons:
A Club, for persons suffering from severe disablement, met weekly and was a social
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