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An actress plays the role of Edna Stanley (not her real name) but wherever possible the other roles are played by people who were directly involved in Mrs Stanley’s story.
We open with an extract of an archive film showing the wartime announcement of the Beveridge Report that led to the setting up of the welfare state.
Mrs Stanley is seen talking to her doctor about her husband, Reginald’s health problems. He is at home with lung problems and can no longer work. The scenes that follow show Edna nursing her husband as she takes on the role of full time carer whilst trying to cope financially. We see her in the Post Office, butcher’s shop and the MEB shop making an electricity payment. She receives a home visit from the DHSS but a mix-up over a rent rebate means that she is being overpaid benefits and she becomes increasingly worried that she will not be able to cope. A television commercial ‘Cook Electric’ is also used. She then visits a local regimental association and they help her win an appeal for invalidity benefit and enable her to continue on a payment plan with the electricity board. The film ends with Mrs Stanley continuing as a carer but reflecting that help is available for those who suffer financial problems.
Edna Stanley played by Hilary Mason
Cameraman: Ian Hollands
Sound: Bill Dodkin; Colin Martin
Researcher: Malcolm Frazer
Production Assistant: Chris Fewlass
Film Editor: Andy Chandler
Executive Producer: Brian Lewis
Producer: Steve Timmins
Director: Dirk Campbell