Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/231

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SHOWELL'S DICTIONARY OF BIRMINGHAM.
219

Removed to Clarendon Road, Edgbaston, in 1860. There are usually from 35 to 40 inmates, whose labour provides for great part of the yearly expenditure; and it is well that it is so, for the subscriptions and donations from the public are not sent in so freely as could be wished. The treasurer is Mr. S. S. Lloyd.

Medical Mission.—Opened in Floodgate Street, Deritend, in 1875. While resembling other medical charities for the relief of bodily sickness, this mission has for its chief aim the teaching of the Gospel to tie sick poor, and in every house that may be visited. That the more worldly part of the mission is not neglected is shown by the fact that the expenditure for the year ending Michaelmas, 1883. reached £643.

Night Refuge.—Mr. A. V. Fordyce, in July, 1880, opened a night asylum in Princess Road, for the shelter of homeless and destitute boys, who were supplied with bed and breakfast. The necessity for such an institution was soon made apparent by larger premises being required, and the old police station, corner of Bradford Street and Alcester Street, was taken. This has been turned into a "Home," and it is never short of occupants, other premises being opened in 1883, close to Deritend Bridge, for the casual night-birds, the most promising of whom are transferred to the Home after a few days' testing. A somewhat similar Refuge for Girls has also been established, and if properly supported by the public, these institutions must result in much good.

Nurses.—The Birmingham and Midland Counties' Training Institution for Nurses, organised in 1868, has its "Home" in the Crescent. It was founded for the purpose of bringing skilled nursing to the homes of those who would otherwise be unable to obtain intelligent aid in carrying out the instructions of their medical attendants. The subscription list for 1882 ammonted to £282 1s., and the sum to the credit of the nurses' pension fund to £525 1s. The committee earnestly appeal for increased support, to enable them to extend the work of the institution, from which at present the services of four nurses are granted to the District Nursing Society. Newhall Street, for attendance on the sick poor. The staff included 66 trained nurses, with 18 probationers, the latter passing for their training through the General, Children's, and Homeopathic Hospitals. The nurses from the "Home" attend on an average over 500 families in the year, those from the District Society conferring their services on nearly 200 other families.

Protestant Dissenting Charity School, Graham Street.—-This is one of the oldest of our philanthropical institutions, having been established in 1760—the first general meeting of subscribers being held June 22, 1761. The first house taken for the purposes of the charity was in New Meeting Street, and both boys and girls were admitted, but since 1813 only girls have received its benefits. These are taken from any locality, and of any Protestant denomination, being housed, fed, clothed, educated and trained for domestic servants. There are usually about 45 to 48 inmates, the cost per child averaging in 1883 (tor 56 girls) nearly £20 per head. At the centenary in 1861 a fund of nearly £1,500 was raised by public subscription in aid of the institution, which has but a small income from investments. Subscribers of a guinea per year have the right of nominating and voting for the admission of one child every year. The present home in Graham Street was erected in 1839, and application should be made to the matron for information or for servant girls.

Sanatorium, situated at Blackcwell, near Bromsgrove.—This establishment, which cost £15,750, of which £2,000 was given by Miss Ryland, was built to provide a temporary home, with pure air, rest, and nourishing diet for convalescent patients, who