---
title: If you can't go to the factory help the neighbour who can
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-help-the-neighbour-who-can-war-workers-children-1939/
description: A photograph shows a woman in a coat waving as she leaves for a factory while a neighbour takes her children at the door.
section: Collection
---

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3. If you can't go to the factory help the neighbour who can

[![If you can't go to the factory help the neighbour who can, 1939 UK poster: A photograph shows a woman in a coat waving as she](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-help-the-neighbour-who-can-war-workers-children-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-help-the-neighbour-who-can-war-workers-children-1939.jpg)

# If you can't go to the factory help the neighbour who can

A photograph shows a woman in a coat waving as she leaves for a factory while a neighbour takes her children at the door. The title and the banner 'Caring for war workers' children is a national service' recast childminding as war service (identity fusion), with ordinary street neighbours as the model (plain folks).

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Plain folks](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/plain-folks/) [Identity fusion](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/identity-fusion/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
If you can't go to the factory
help the neighbour who can
How you can help
Arrange now with a neighbour
to look after her children when
she goes to her war-work—or
give your name to
CARING FOR WAR WORKERS' CHILDREN IS A NATIONAL SERVICE
Issued by the Ministry of Health
PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY LOWE & BRYDONE PRINTERS LTD., LONDON, N.W.10. 51-2206
MH 17
```

[← Help the City Children - making a new home for Evacuees is a National Service](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-help-the-city-children-evacuees-1939/) [His Rifle Will Fire - Will Mine? →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-his-rifle-will-fire-will-mine-games-1939/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Trois Tetes sous l'meme bonnet (three heads under the same cap)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/trois-tetes-sous-le-meme-bonnet-1789/) (France · 1789 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['This log cabin was the first building erected on the North Bend', Whig print by T. Sinclair, 1840](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/harrison-north-bend-log-cabin-sinclair-1840/) (United States · 1840 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [Treeing Coons (pro-Polk cartoon), 1844](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/treeing-coons-polk-1844/) (United States · 1844 · Name-calling, Plain folks)
- [Zachary Taylor, People's Candidate for President (Currier banner), 1848](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/taylor-fillmore-peoples-candidate-1848/) (United States · 1848 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['Little Mac.' (from the Democratic presidential campaign songster)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/little-mac-song-sheet-feeks-1864/) (United States · 1864 · Bandwagon, Plain folks)
- [The peoples' choice, H. Greeley G. Brown](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/peoples-choice-greeley-brown-1872/) (United States · 1872 · Bandwagon, Plain folks)
- [The working-man's banner. For President, Ulysses S. Grant, 'The Galena Tanner.' For Vice-President, Henry Wilson, 'The Natick Shoemaker.'](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/working-mans-banner-grant-1872/) (United States · 1872 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [The Chappaqua farmer](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/chappaqua-farmer-1872/) (United States · Jul 1872 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)