Case Studies from our Archives

Family Action has worked with a lot of families over 140 years! We have an extensive archive of documents, case notes and reports which tell their own fascinating stories about social change and the development of social work in this country. Below are a few glimpses into those archives.

Annual Report  1876-77

‘The porter from a neighbouring institution came in one day with a young blind man who had applied there for work, but to whom it could not at the time be given. He had come over from Dublin in the hope of earning higher wages, and now found himself friendless and helpless in the streets of London, his worldly possessions reduced to two shillings and a bag of clothes. The ordinary refuges, to which he was at once sent with the agent, refused to take him in because of his blindness, but before evening he was settled in a respectable lodging house, his expenses paid for a short time, and he is now earning a sufficient living.’

Annual Report  1884-85

Newington District Committee

‘W.S. is a hawker of clothes horses which he makes himself. In March 1883 he applied to the Relieving Officer, and was by him referred to the committee for assistance to buy stock. He had formerly cleared 20 or 30 shillings a week, but illness, succeeding a slack time, had brought him very low, and, having run out of stock, he was unable to pursue his  calling. He had been compelled to part with his horse and cart, and had pawned many of his things; and he owed 8 shillings for rent. He was 36 years of age and had a wife and ten children, the eldest of whom was a boy of twelve…The committee, thinking he would do his best to cover his position, gave temporary assistance to take the family off the Parish, obtained £1 from the Society for the Relief of Distress to provide him with stock, and allowed him 4s a week for two months for the hire of a donkey and cart.’

Annual Report 1922-23

Bryant family, North Lambeth

‘Bryant himself was seriously ill with acute bronchitis when they were first brought to our notice by the hospital almoner. We obtained a substantial allowance for him from the Red Cross until he was granted testament by the Ministry of Pensions…meanwhile Mrs. Bryant complained of the behaviour of her landlady. We found the home was being used for immoral purposes, and took steps which resulted in the removal of the landlady by the police. Mrs Bryant was persuaded to go to hospital for treatment for herself; a good situation was found for the eldest daughter; and the younger boy sent away through the CCHF. When last visited Mr Bryant was happily having treatment and training at a centre under the ministry of Pensions…The girl in service was firmly settled, and Mrs. Bryant was thinking of opening a bank account with us.’

Reparation Claims after World War One

Helping the State with investigating claimants for compensation ‘for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action’

‘We were asked to investigate the case of a man and wife, who were both claiming for loss of property through enemy action at sea. It was found on inquiry that they were survivors of the ‘Lusitania’, having both been on their way home to this country when that vessel was torpedoed. They were total strangers to one another, and met for the first time in the water, the man having saved the life of the woman by supporting her until they were picked up by a boat. The friendship which ensued resulted eventually in marriage.’

Annual Report 1946-47:

The Polish Relief Fund

‘Throughout the year Government plans have gone forward for the absorption of Poles into the British community. This has meant that many families, hitherto in camps, are now becoming established in their own homes, and has brought an increasing number of applications to the Committee.’

‘The Slawinskis were in a camp in Wales – far from the village school – and their two little children, though not exactly running wild, because they had such admirable parents, were certainly learning no English and their education was scrappy in the extreme. The committee was asked to meet the fees at a convent boarding school, and did so until the Government scheme came into operation. This enabled the mother to leave camp and take a course in dressmaking, and the father to remain in camp learning watch repairing.
These education fees have now been taken over by the Statutory authorities but, in the meantime, father and mother are both trained, and can earn more by making at home than either could in paid jobs. They had the opportunity of a share in a friend’s house and, with our help to buy furniture, a sewing machine and some watch repairing tools, they are going to become an established unit in this country. These people have had no home for nine years – then little girls have never known what it means. Some might think that three rooms in North London are a poor exchange for a cast estate in Poland, but to this family the opportunities of a home, of being together and being self-supporting mean everything.’