THE BIRMINGHAM WOMEN'S SETTLEMENT.
[To TUE EDITOR or TIER " SPECTAT011.1 Sui,—Although special war charities are absorbing the activities of most leisured people at the present time, it is just possible that some of your readers may like to consider the question of residence in a Settlement. Just now many women are faced with unaccustomed loneliness in their own homes, a loneliness clouded with constant anxiety, Perhaps the anxiety would be less hard to bear if, for a time, they would go into a district where other lonely women are sadly in need of friendship and encouragement. Life in a Settle- ment offers many advantages, in spite of the fact that Settlements are generally situated in the midst of very poor districts. The moderate charges (about 25s. a week) render
them accessible to people of small means; there is cheerful companionship and a community of interest, with the possi- bility of solitude when residents desire it. Naturally many dwellers in Settlements are very busy people, but the life is by no means an unbroken round of work, and it is generally possible for the Warden to arrange for each resident to be off duty as much or as little as she desires. The great variety of branches of work makes it possible for each resident to find her own niche, occupying herself according to her individual taste and capacity. Owing to the great call for experienced workers, many Settlements are just now feeling the strain of lack of helpers, and yet never was there a time when there was mbre need for friendly work among women and girls.
Some women have a great desire to give up their lives to
social work, but must perforce seek for a paid post. The demand for experienced workers for such posts is at present in excess of the supply, but preliminary training is generally necessary. Several Settlements work in close connexion with the local Universities, where regular diploma courses of lectures have been arranged, practical training being arranged by the Wardens of the respective Settlements. This training for professional work is naturally only a secondary aspect of Settlement life, and is, indeed, an impossibility unless the Settlement maintains its original ideal and is a centre of friendliness in a friendless neighbourhood. To do this we
want both residents and students, and not a few of those who once coins into residence find that there is a great deal more to live for than they had ever realized before.—I am, Sir, &o., 318 Summer Lane, Birmingham.
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