It was part of my management role in Westminster Social Services Department to chair various meetings, such as those of the Area Team, Child Care Reviews, and Child Abuse Case Conferences, involving numerous other agencies.
I was also appointed by the Director of Social Services to represent the City on voluntary committees such as the Queens Park Family Service Unit (FSU) and Beauchamp Lodge Settlement.
FSU grew out of Pacifist Service Units formed in 1940, initially by conscientious objectors who wished to engage in socially useful work. By 1942 there were 14 units staffed by 82 men and women based in London and other cities across the UK. FSU formally came together in 1948 with the primary aim of helping families in difficulty in the aftermath of the war, particularly those affected by evacuation. Its concern was to promote the welfare of families and communities and the agency is identified with a specific method of working focused on ‘casework’ with individuals and families.
My Area team enjoyed a cooperative relationship with the Queens Park unit which was located on our patch in Harrow Road. The voluntary organisation’s policy was for the staff and clients to relate to each each other on a day to day basis in a normal way, in addition to the casework mentioned above. A greater understanding of each other was developed, without blurring the boundaries of their roles. I liken this to parents who have positive friendships with their children, whilst remembering that, although equal human beings, they don’t hold quite the same positions in families. Committee members mingled in a similar way on social occasions. Thus I got to know personally some clients of my own Social Workers. I am pleased to say that this, although a delicate balance, was often helpful, as long as we all realised that they were not my cases.
I was from time to time asked to join interview panels for new staff appointments. On one occasion I was surprised to discover that one silent member was the then Director’s lapdog, normally occupying her shopping basket. This had not fazed the successful applicant.
Several times I illustrated the covers of Queens Park FSU’s annual reports. Because I had handed over the original drawings I had kept copies of neither these nor the documents themselves.
One summer, in the early part of the 20th century, I found myself walking past the said FSU and popped in to see if they had a spare copy of a particular publication. I was told that the unit was moving the following week and I could help myself from a box of annual reports that were about to be binned.
I couldn’t believe my luck when I found exactly what I was looking for. This was the annual report for 1980-1981, featuring toddler Sam reaching for a daisy being handed to him by Jessica. Our son is on the back, with the two hands on the front. The drawing is taken from a black and white photograph produced late in 1980 in the Owl House Garden at Lamberhurst in Kent. The Annual Report is a bit grubby and I have left it that way.
The move had been prompted by FSU being taken over by the Family Welfare Association in 2006. Two years later this much larger organisation was rebranded and now bears the name Family Action.
Later, I thought I had lost my copy once more, and found it again in May 2014 sandwiched between two history books.
I got lost in the various organizations, but that is a lovely, touching drawing, Derrick!
Thank you very much, Merril
How fortunate that you were able to find that 1980 annual report!
It really was, Liz. Thank you very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Sounds like a difficult job.
Your illustration is quite evocative of emotions! Glad you were able to find the original. Maybe frame it and put it up?
I’m so pleased that you have been reunited with your own art work. Such important memories.
I hope you are enjoying Christmas with your family this year, Derrick.
Derrick, your stories amaze me, time and again. You write with delightful detail. I often feel like I’m along for the ride, so to speak. What great luck finding your drawing on that annual report, and the timing, too. Amazing.
Thank you so much, Alys. Really appreciated.
I look forward to all of your posts.
What a wonderful find, and great timing, too!
Thank you so much, Janet
How wonderful that you found ways of expressing your artistic gift!
Thank you very much, Rosaliene X
Interesting nuances.
And lovely drawings. You do have a real talent.
Thank you very much again, Pat
Thanks very much, Pat
I am glad you found that report with your drawing of Sam, Derrick! That was fortuitous. And it still could not remain lost a second time!
Thank you so much, Lavinia
A wonderful illustration! Glad you found the copy you thought lost. I like the idea of Pacifist Service Units doing socially useful work.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
That’s lovely Derrick. A beautiful boy and now a beautiful man who had given us two beautiful grandchildren. Big thanks to you and Jessica for that contribution to our lives. X
Thank you so much, Gay. XX
I’m so glad you found the copy you were looking for. Such a touching illustration.
Thank you very much, Sue X
What a sweet and heart-touching drawing!
I’m so glad you found it!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
Oh Derrick, how I have wished I could draw like that. They are really quite exquisite.
Thank you so very much, John
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful 😍
Thank you so much, Ribana
Such evocative drawings.
Thanks very much, Lindsey
Those sketches are precious. 💞
Thank you so much, AnneMarie
What an interesting role you have had in social services, Derrick. I wonder if today social services would take an inhouse drawing to use it as a sign of their unit.
A good question, Geetha. Thank you very much
You are most welcome
The parts of your narrative that have to do with your work hold particular interest for me, Derrick.