Y.W.C.A. REPORTS ON ACTIVE YEAR

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30234, 12 September 1963, Page 2

Y.W.C.A. REPORTS ON ACTIVE YEAR

Working on the theme of “concerns for women and girls,” the Young Women’s Christian Association reports a year of full activity and new amenities and improvements. Membership of clubs and classes has grown, and there was an increase in the associate membership, states the annual report. “A membership drive seems necessary to recruit new members, and to interpret the Y.W.C.A. to some who may need to be reminded of the purpose,” the report says. Improvements had been made and amenities added to the Latimer hostel, and the office block redecorated.

The programme secretary reported that a “big step forward” was the formation of an activities committee, which initiated investigations into the need for a club for early school leavers. Five registrations had been received on the closing date (July 31) for the opening programme. The club would be called the Wednesday night club. A camp sub-committee had been formed, to place camping on a sound basis and use the Y.W.C.A. camp at Spencerville to its fullest extent.

Classes held included keep fit classes, yoga, art, and ballet. Clubs included a mothers’ club, basketball, travel, young marrieds, judo, badminton, campers, Y. Teens, and Blue Triangle (for younger girls). The World Fellowship Committee had endeavoured to stimulate interest in the work of the Y.W.C.A throughout the world, and to help with raising funds to continue the mutual service and extension programme of the Y.W.C.A., says the report.

The finance report says that some progress had been made in the year’s work, but extension work was hampered through lack of funds. More members and more co-opera-tion from citizens were needed.

The hope of further accommodation in the form of a self-service residential club was a little nearer fulfilment. The need increased each year, according to reports of girls “making-do” in unhealthy crowded rooms, says the report