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During the year the Nursing Division (Hackney No 176) covered 330 hours
of duty. The duties were varied and interesting, and included such events as
the Royal Tournament, Hackney Swimming Gala, River Lea Regatta, Albert Hall,
West End Theatres, Sports, and Canvey Island First Aid Post Members took
part in the area competitions, both First Aid and Home Nursing The Division
has established its headquarters at Hackney Hospital, and meets on Monday
evenings at 7.30 p. m.
(d) BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY The Division continued to be of service to
the Borough in duties at cinemas, theatres, public meetings, sports meetings,
as well as duties at the local hospitals including trolley shops; also in the
training of National Hospital Service Reserve personnel, A very large Medical
Loan Department is provided at 92, Dalston Lane E, 8, at which Medical Articles
can be loaned The Division consists of three Women5 s and one Men's Detachments,
one Cadet Unit and one Link First Aid and Home Nursing classes were
held during the year.
(e) HACKNEY STOKE NEWINGTON SHOREDITCH AND DISTRICT DIABETIC CLUB This
organisation is now in its fourth year and the membership totals some 140
persons The aims of the Club are mainly educational, but some social events
are arranged. The programme of activities included several film shows, a Red
Cross Casualty Demonstration, a tea making and tasting demonstration, "Any
Questions" evening, and talks by a Dietician and a Medical Consultant A
Diabetic Exhibition held in the King's Hall in the Autumn was a great success.
At the end of the year the Club sustained a grievous loss by the death of its
Chairman, Mrs, F, H, Du Vergier, J,P„ The valuable work done by Mrs, Du
Vergier over many years in connection with voluntary welfare activities, is
remembered with gratitude.
(f) HACKNEY AND STOKE NEWINGTON DEANERY MORAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION The
following is an extract from the Annual Report of this Association for the year
ended 31st March, 1957 - "In briefly summarising the work, we have to record
the fact that there has been an increase of cases dealt with, totalling 139 as
against 118 last year: of these 115 were of single women, of whom 23 were sent
to Mother and Baby Homes, and the remaining 24 were of married women who came
seeking personal advice. Fifty were West Indians, Of the single girls 53
were between the ages of 16 and 21, and 54 between the ages of 22 and 30,
Seven babies went for adoption 11 returned home with the mother and 6 babies
were accepted into residential nurseries or were found foster mothers; 3 of
the single girls married the putative father of their child"
(g) BRITISH HOME FOR DEAF AND DUMB WOMEN The objects of this Home at
26, Clapton Common, E.5, are:- (i) to train deaf women and girls so as to
enable them, if possible, to earn their own living, and (ii) to provide a home
for destitute deaf women who, from age or infirmity, are unable to support
themselves Two persons were admitted during the year, two left, one is
receiving treatment in hospital, and there are now 25 residents in the Home.
(h) INVALID MEALS FOR LONDON The Invalid Meals Service operating in the
Borough from 159, Lower Clapton Road, E.5, was available throughout the year to
invalids requiring special diets, Special concessions are made to Old Age
Pensioners requiring these diets, and the cost to the pensioner is Is. 4d, per
meal Meals are served five days a week, and are delivered to the homes of
those unable to attend the restaurant on the premises The vans are fitted
with heated containers so that the meals are delivered freshly cooked and hot,
(i) FAMILY WELFARE ASSOCIATION - Area IV, This area comprises the City
of London, and the Boroughs of Bethnal Green, Finsbury, Hackney, Holborn,
Poplar, St, Pancras, Shoreditch and Stepney, The following is an extract from
the Annual Report 1956-57:- "CASEWORK During the year 1956-7 we received
654 applications for help, with a wide variety of problems. These problems
ranged from those of lone people of eveiy age to those involving family units,