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Each case is considered carefully and if their means allow it, the
family are asked to contribute towards the cost. Last year, 30 adults
and the parents of 24 children contributed sums ranging from 1s. to 20s.
weekly.
But the more important work of the Committee is to see that people
going away are adequately supplied with clothes and that their families
are left with enough to live on.
The Committee has no funds, except a grant for extra nourishment
administered by the Tuberculosis Officer to special cases requiring it as
part of their treatment, so that help for the families and clothes for
themselves have to be obtained from other sources. Much help has been
obtained through the Charity Organisation Society, United Services
Fund, Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Societies, Regimental Agencies, King
George's Fund for Sailors, the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, Private
Individuals and the Public Assistance Committee who often supply
clothes. Ex-Soldiers receiving pensions are referred to the Red Cross
for help but do not come before the Committee. The help has often to
be continued a long while.
In one case, the wife and family of an ex-sailor, who is having
prolonged treatment was helped for 5 months by Royal Naval Benevolent
Trust, King George's Fund for Sailors and Soldiers', and Sailors' Help
Society with an allowance to supplement his National Insurance. The
wife then got work and could manage without more aid, but pocket
money is still being sent to the patient.
The Secretaries of the two Southwark Branches of the I.C.A.A. are
members of the Committee and work closely with it, taking entire charge
of all children's cases.
Special Cases.
Apart from people going to Sanatoria and Hospitals, the Committee
considers weekly any special cases brought up by any of its members,
such as overcrowding, neglect of children, or any special needs. A
Blind man suffering from Tuberculosis and in a very depressed condition
was much cheered by a wireless set supplied by a Blind Society through
the Committee's recommendation.
After Cake.
All cases are visited on their return from Sanatoria or Hospitals
by members of the Committee, but so far it has been found very difficult
to obtain work for men only "fit for light work," as there is a high
percentage of unemployed men in the Borough. Some employers have