Austin Mitchell and Ann Syrett present this series of programmes promoting voluntary and community service, focusing on people in the community who give up their own time to help others. The programme aims to provide a clear understanding of the nature and the extent of voluntary work that's done, or needs to be done in many areas of social need throughout the Yorkshire region. This episode addresses volunteer visitors. Title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production Photographs of...

Austin Mitchell and Ann Syrett present this series of programmes promoting voluntary and community service, focusing on people in the community who give up their own time to help others. The programme aims to provide a clear understanding of the nature and the extent of voluntary work that's done, or needs to be done in many areas of social need throughout the Yorkshire region. This episode addresses volunteer visitors. Title: Yorkshire Television Colour Production Photographs of urban street scenes and candid shots of individuals make up the opening for the programme. Title: A Matter for Concern Austin Mitchell introduces the programme. Title: Austin Mitchell Austin outlines the content of the programme which will look at three volunteer visitors, followed by a discussion about the need for more of this kind of help. Title: Ann Syrett Ann talks to camera about the high demand from hospitals for voluntary helpers. The film shows the work of one woman who volunteers to help in a hospital’s day room, part of a geriatric ward. Two women in the grounds of St Mary’s hospital in Leeds walk towards the camera. They are introduced as Mrs Mary Cox and Mrs Mary Fincham. On camera a member of the nursing staff speaks about the volunteers. Title: Sister Kathleen Suggitt She outlines the work of the volunteers which involves talking to patients and helping with tasks such as reading letters and, in some cases writing letters for patients. They also help with the therapy programmes based around knitting and sewing. The sister also says the volunteers bring a sense of the outside world onto the ward, which is most welcome, especially as volunteers are often from the locality. The film cuts to the day room where a volunteer is reading post cards for one of the patients. She then helps the same patient with a practical task which involves making an item out of wool. The volunteer turns to another woman sitting on the opposite side to help her with her knitting. Sister Kathleen appears on camera again outlining more of the valuable contributions volunteers make. The film goes back to the volunteer at work helping in the day centre. Outside Mary Fincham speaks on camera about her work and how much she enjoys it. Title: Mrs. Mary Fincham – Volunteer The programme returns to Ann Syrett in the studio. Ann introduces the next example of a volunteer visitor this time visiting people at home. The programme follows a volunteer who works for DOVE, the Doncaster Organisation for Visiting the Elderly which aspires to help people in their own homes, to check on neighbours, offer help if needed and keep them company. A woman walks across a street to a terraced house, a key in her hand. In the commentary Ann Syrett introduces her as Annabel Hutchison who runs the DOVE scheme. She lets herself into their headquarters which is based in the office for the Doncaster Council for Voluntary Service in Nether Hall Road. Speaking on camera in her office Annabel outlines the origins and the work of DOVE. Title: Annabel Hutchison – ‘DOVE’ Organiser The film cuts to Annabel talking to a woman on the doorstep of the office building. The commentary identifies the woman as Mrs Joyce Thorpe who gets into her car to go to the home of Mrs Harsley. Joyce is also an area organiser for DOVE. Back at her office Annabel Hutchison states that the visitor programme doesn’t replace the work of social workers, rather that they support that work. Joyce Thorpe arrives at her destination. Annabel talks about the range of backgrounds that her visitors have, but she believes the best visitors are housewives from the locality. Joyce sits down opposite Mrs Harsley in her living room and asks how her back problem is, then continues the conversation around domestic topics. Outside on camera Joyce talks of her experience as a volunteer for DOVE. Title: Mrs. Joyce Thorpe – Volunteer The programme returns to Austin Mitchell in the studio and a discussion with three guests. Austin starts with a guest who organises voluntary work as a voluntary services officer for three local hospitals. Title: Alan Hicks – Hospital Volunteer Organiser Alan outlines the work he does organising voluntary work over three hospitals, which includes working with geriatric patients who are often long stay patients. Austin then talks to the next guest Jean Robinson a social worker and Voluntary Organisation Liaison Officer for the North East Division of Social Services. Austin asks how they use the volunteers who visit clients. Title: Jean Robinson – Social Worker Jean outlines the work the volunteers take part in within social services, which is valuable work, but they are still short of volunteers. Austin then speaks to the final guest who works for the Doncaster Council for Voluntary Service. He is asked how volunteers are used apart from the DOVE scheme. Title: Dennis Boocock – Doncaster Council for Volunteer Service Dennis outlines other services for the elderly such as a library service and providing concessionary food to the elderly and housebound, but they utilise volunteers in many different services which come under the voluntary service umbrella. Austin asks a question about the type of person that each of the guests would look for as a volunteer. The answers range from having skills to aid with decorating, or gardening for example or simply to be a good listener and engage in conversation. There is also discussion about the retention of volunteers. The programme moves on to the probation service, Ann Syrett introduces this section of the programme. The film shows the introduction of a new volunteer, Judith Smithers to the probation service. Title: Joy Turner – Probation Officer Joy speaks at a meeting with other volunteers which allows Judith listen at first hand to their experiences. Title: Leslie Cohen – Volunteer Leslie talks of his experiences as the programme shows him getting out of his car and calling on a client. Leslie talks to the client about his visit to a day centre. Back at the meeting another probation officer outlines the value of being a volunteer in the service. Title: Brian Morton – Probation Officer Sue Whitaker another volunteer speaks about her experience in a response to a question. Title: Sue Whitaker – Volunteer The film cuts back to Leslie, where he asks his client if he will go back to work soon. Back at the meeting another volunteer Barbara Gilbertson says that building a relationship with a client may take a while. Title: Barbara Gilbertson volunteer The programme cuts to Leslie as he hears from his client that he is classed as disabled which maybe affecting him getting a job. Back at the meeting Barbara Gilbertson talks of how client’s demands might be unrealistic. Leslie listens to other problems that his client has, including managing a low income. Back in the studio Austin introduces two guests with connections to the probation service. Title: Adrian Hudson – Deputy Chief Probation Officer – West Yorkshire Austin asks him how many volunteers are required by the service. The reply is that more are needed. Title: Len McClean – Voluntary Helper – Huddersfield Probation Service Austin asks Len about the satisfaction that he gets from his work. Len thinks highly of the probation service and is quite keen to help lighten the workload for the officers. Adrian outlines that some financial help is available for volunteers if appropriate. Adrian and Len continue to outline the positives and some negative aspects of being a volunteer in the probation service. Austin closes the programme with the hope the programme might inspire viewers to seek a voluntary post in the areas featured in this programme and the previous programme. An address is given for viewers to use. ‘Concern’ Yorkshire Television Television Centre Leeds, LS3 1JS Credits Presenters - Ann Syrett, Austin Mitchell Cameraman - Brian Wilson Sound Recordist - Terry Ricketts Film Editors – Terry Warwick, Barry Spink Graphics – Brian Beardmore Researcher – Irene Cockroft Producer – Jim McCann Yorkshire Television Colour Production End Title - © Trident Television Ltd 1975