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 how volunteers can help children in care. Austin Mitchell and Ann Syrett present this...

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 how volunteers can help children in care. 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 how volunteers can help children in care. 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 presents the programme and outlines the content of this edition. Title: Austin Mitchell Title: Ann Syrett Ann presents this section of the programme where she explains that to show how volunteer help may be given, they’ve used the National Children’s Home in Harrogate as an example. The film will show the work of four volunteers working in the home. There is also a section of the film given over to adoption and fostering. The film shows the exterior of a large house. Title: National Children’s Home Harrogate A commentary outlines the structure of the National Children’s homes. There are nine houses in total, each of them accommodating up to ten boys and girls of varying ages from toddler to older teenager. The man giving the commentary speaks on camera. Title: Jim Niven – Branch Superintendent He goes on to say that married couples are in charge in some cases and in other cases single members of staff are in charge but with assistance. The children attend five local primary schools and four secondary schools. Jim goes on to talk about volunteers although they find it difficult to use them, but they do try to accommodate any help they receive. The film shows some children under the supervision of Alan East who are painting flowers and creatures on a large expanse of brick wall which has been painted white. In commentary Jim says that Alan’s contribution of his own time is ’unsparing’. Title: Alan East - Volunteer On camera Alan explains that his profession is an architect working in Leeds and further afield in the north of England. Alan gives his time at weekends, particularly Sundays. He describes the kind of projects he and others work on including the present one which was started earlier in the year. The film goes on to show Alan giving some of the young artists guidance with the mural. On camera Alan talks about the need for this sort of work. Jim Niven outlines the value to the home of Alan’s and the other volunteer’s work. The film then shows older men one a Mr Bairstow and another Mr Dearlove who helps with woodwork tasks. On camera Jack Dearlove talks about his volunteer work at the home. Title: Jack Dearlove – Volunteer The film shows Jack helping boy in the woodwork room with some carving. The next view is of a model railway with some boys helping to operate the controls and supervised by an older man seen earlier although briefly, Mr Bairstow. Title: James Bairstow – Volunteer James says he enjoys the work and he hopes the children will gain an interest in model railways. The film shows children operating the controls of the electric railway layout. On screen Jim Niven talks about other benefits the volunteers bring which includes releasing staff to do other work with the children. Another volunteer Pam Hartley plays a board game with some girls on one of her visits. Title: Pam Hartley She explains that when she and her husband moved to Harrogate, they wanted to adopt a whole house within the children’s home. She explains that in addition to her own visits, children also visit Pam’s family home. Pam also talks about the children in the home and how valued the visits from caring adults are to the children. Pam continues with the board game. On camera Jim Niven talks about fostering, which is possible if this is beneficial to the child. The film then shows a family gathering in a living room, except that one of the children Edwina, is foster child. She has lived with the Dunsmuir family for five months. The film shows the married couple who are fostering Edwina. Title: Deidre Dunsmuir She explains that short term fostering involves looking after children when they come into care after a domestic crisis. Sometimes this might turn into a long term stay if home disruption isn’t resolved. Title: Ian Dunsmuir Ian talks about a few difficulties that occurred when Edwina first came to them. Deirdre explains that fostering is often aimed at getting the child to return to their natural family, which is quite different from adoption. Although fostering can be long term and can sometimes result in adoption. The film then goes to a case where fostering led to adoption in Grimethorpe near Barnsley in South Yorkshire. The film visits the home of Mr and Mrs Kay who had fostered Andrew for seven years then adopted him. Title: Andrew Kay Andrew appears on film as he switches on a radio. A commentary outlines how Andrew came to the family home. Title: Mrs. Dorothy Kay Dorothy continues her story on camera. Title: Mr. Wilfred Kay Wilfred talks about his experience with fostering then adopting Andrew. On camera Andrew talks about wanting to live with the Kays rather than at the children’s home. Dorothy talks affectionately about Andrew. The programme then goes back to Austin Mitchell in the studio, as he introduces guests who will expand on the issues touched on in the film. Title: Peter Blades – N. East Regional Officer – National Children’s Home Peter replies to Austin Mitchell’s question about the need for volunteers. The accommodation of volunteers is quite wide depending on those who want to volunteer and possibly foster a child. However they realise some volunteers will need to set limitations on the time they have available. Title: Molly Mitchell – Senior Social Worker – Leeds Molly is asked about the local authority approach to volunteers in working in children’s homes. She says that anybody will be able to a volunteer if they wish, as they will be able to give children a broader outlook and knowledge which is of value to growing children. Even if the work involved is going for a walk, if the volunteer can stimulate the child’s interest or widen their knowledge they will be doing good work. She also talks about the aunt and uncle scheme which is in operation within the authority. Austin asks the final guest about using volunteers. Title: Derek Spicer – Divisional Children’s Officer, Dr. Barnardo’s Derek talks about the extending their use of volunteers. In the North West region for example Derek says that they have been using volunteers as family counsellors. In Hull Dr Barnardo’s has opened a pre-school day care centre for children with physical and mental disabilities and they are looking for volunteer drivers to take children to and from the centre. They have also opened an activity centre for older children in Pontefract which would value the addition of volunteers in their work. Other discussions follow covering commitment to a certain amount of time from volunteers and fostering as the result of working with the children. Austin Mitchell then brings the programme to a close, encouraging people who have watched the programme to get in touch if they are interested in becoming a volunteer. An address is displayed for contact the programme. Title: ‘Concern’ Yorkshire Television Television Centre Leeds LS3 1JS Ann Syrett appears on screen where she refers to the first programme about volunteer drivers. Ann explains that the response to the programme was good for those wishing to volunteer. However a number of organisations also contacted the programme saying the need for drivers is also important to them but an increase in petrol prices has had an effect on the number of drivers available. Ann points out that some groups will help with petrol costs, though most rely on the good will of their volunteers. Ann outlines the differing needs that drivers can help and she guides viewers to write to the address given earlier. Credits: Presenters – Ann Syrett, Austin Mitchell Camera – Brian Wilson, Frank Pocklington Sound – Terry Ricketts, Stan Ellison Film Editor – Terry Warwick Graphics - Brian Beardmore Research – Irene Cockroft Producer – Jim McCann Yorkshire Television Colour Production End Title - © Trident Television Ltd 1975