Mexborough and Swinton Times, April 26, 1929

Mexborough Child Welfare Centre Extension

Next Tuesday Mr. Tom Williams, M.P., is to open the extension to the Mexborough Child Welfare Centre, and the ceremony will probably serve to increase the interest with which this most important branch of health work is coming to be regarded in the town. The work of the Centre is not, perhaps, as yet sufficiently known and appreciated; but with the extra accommodation provided by the new building, and the inauguration of an ante-natal clinic, it is hoped that the numbers of those who make use of its services will be substantially increased.

All mothers and their babies are welcomed at the Centre, where expert advice on the care of infants, their feeding, clothing, hours of rest and recreation, may be obtained from the M.O.H. and the Health Visitor. Advice is also given to mothers with regard to their own health and the formation of regular habits for both themselves and their little ones. Minor ailments are treated, and if necessary the parents are advised to put themselves and their children under the care of their own medical attendant. A variety of approved milk foods are supplied at cost price to those mothers who are unable to nurse their babies, and, in cases of real distress, mothers may, upon the recommendation of the Medical Officer of Health obtain such foods free.’           ,

The Centre is fortunate in possessing an active and enthusiastic Ladies’ Committee, who keep records, sell food, help and encourage mothers, and provide that very necessary human touch which has so great a part, in the successful working of any organisation; and the importance of the work which they so cheerfully perform week by week cannot be over-estimated.

There is an average weekly attendance of thirty mothers at the Thursday clinic, and they and their bonny, bright -faced babies form a picture not easily forgotten. An interested observer may, from three to five, see the procession of prams, which contain the future citizens of Mexborough, being wheeled to the rear of the Centre, where they are stored in a dry; well-boarded pram shed, and the babies removed and carried into the waiting-room.

Here the little tots are undressed (wire baskets being provided for their clothing); weighed and wrapped in ‘cosy shawls awaiting their turn to “see the doctor.” The conversation is baby-lore, pure and simple, an exchange of notes on gains and losses in weight and the reasons thereof, wise advice from experienced mothers anent the mysteries of teething,. toddling and talking to young mothers with their “first” to whom these things are as yet “miracles unfolding day by day.” amongst the babies—babies good, babies smiling, babies cross, babies frankly howling—move the two members of the Ladies’ Committee who are on duty, here helping to unloose a knot, there fastening a ribbon or holding a tiny while mother buys her food, ever ready to extend frankly the help and good comradeship which is just as frankly welcomed and accepted.

Through the room floats the aroma of tea newly-brewed, and over all preside the genii of the Centre, the M.O.H. and the Health Visitor.

Thursday afternoon at the Clinic would be a revelation to many of those who assert that the Council don’t do nowt.” If the Council has done nothing else, it is’ at least doing its share in guarding our country from a C3 next generation, and the only fault to be found with the clinic is that there are still so many babies which are not brought to receive its help. If babies are delicate, they need the, help they can receive from the Clinic; if they are strong and healthy, they still need care to keep them_so; and it would be a good thing for the town and for the nation if a weekly visit to the Centre were part of the routine of every household where there is a baby.

The photograph shows a happy little group of mothers, babies and helpers belonging to the Mexborough Centre, on a summer outing to Roche Abbey, last year.