THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE |
(INCORPORATED) |
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| Patron: |
HIS MAJESTY THE KING. |
| Vice-Patron: |
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF KENT, K.G., P.C., K.T. |
| President: |
SIR P. MALCOLM STEWART, BART., D.L., O.B.E. |
Secretary: |
L. SHOETEN SACK, O.B.E. |
| |
Telephone and Telegrams:
Museum 8944 (5 lines) |
26 Bedford Square,
London, W.C.1. |
IN YOUR REPLY PLEASE QUOTE: |
WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE PRESS OFFICER |
30th August 1939
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CITIZENS' ADVICE BUREAUX
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Centres of Information to be opened
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following outbreak of war |
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| During the past few months plans have been prepared by the National
Council of Social Service for setting up "Citizens' Advice Bureaux",
after the outbreak of War, in London and the larger cities and towns
throughout the country. These plans have the full knowledge and approval
of the Ministry of Health and the Lord Privy Seal. |
| At these Bureaux it will be possible to get advice about the family
and personal problems and difficulties which will face people in time
of war. The Bureaux will give personal interviews to applicants, but
their main purpose will be to advise them as to which national or
local Government Departments, or which voluntary organisations they
should apply in their particular difficulty. Although it is important
to note that the Bureaux will not be centres of information about
A.R.P., or the preliminary evacuation scheme, it is expected that
the local and national authorities will find the Bureaux of great
value as centres to which they can refer cases of difficulty needing
advice or help from voluntary sources. While, therefore, the Bureaux
will act mainly as clearing houses, they will, where necessary, try
to take action themselves to meet their applicants' needs. |
| It is impossible to foresee all the cases which will be dealt with,
but they are likely to include difficulties due to damage to homes
through air bombardment, provision for children, invalids or old people
whose parents or companions have been called away or become casualties,
problems of getting into touch with children or relations in other
parts of the country, information about hostel, canteen and other
welfare facilities, difficulties connected with payment of separation
allowances and pensions, and similar matters. |
| The Bureaux are being organised locally by voluntary social service
bodies, in all cases with the knowledge of the Municipal Authorities,
and in some cases, under their auspices. It is hoped that there will
be at least one Bureau in each local Government area, and in densely
populated areas several Bureaux. So far as possible each Bureau will
be under the control of trained social workers assisted by a staff
of volunteer helpers. |
| It is estimated that about 200 Bureaux will be required in the London
area. Plans have already been completed for opening about 90 Bureaux
as soon as the need arises in all the 29 Metropolitan Boroughs in
the County of London and in 11 other Boroughs of Outer London. Progress
has necessarily been slow in some of the Outer London Boroughs and
Urban Districts, but intensive efforts are being made and it is hoped
that plans will be completed throughout the Metropolitan Police district
in a very short time. |
| Similar plans to those which have been prepared for London are in
advanced stages of preparation in all the greater cities and towns
throughout the country. Plans for the London area are in the hands
of the London Council of Social Service and the Charity Organisation
Society. Elsewhere local Councils of Social Service are similarly
in charge of the scheme. |
| There is a need for volunteers to assist in staffing the Bureaux.
It is expected that each Bureau will need at least four volunteer
helpers who are prepared to give full-time service and also a panel
of part-time helpers, who could undertake special pieces of work as
required, such as secretarial and clerical work in the office; visiting
people in Homes and Institutions; escort duties, etc. |
| and on application to their local Bureau, those who have not already
promised their services to other branches of Civil Defence, can obtain
information about the needs for workers. This work requires skilled
and experienced people, and they may be assured that it is recognised
as of essential national importance in time of war. |
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