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15
One of the important services which the Committee organise is the assisted holiday scheme for old
people to go for a fortnight to the seaside during the off-peak months at a cost of £2 per week (including fare).
Accommodation and travel to holiday homes or private guest houses is arranged with the choice of the
most popular resorts. 430 old people had holidays in April, May, June and September, including a number
who received assistance from the Women's Holiday Fund. A holiday for sixteen lonely old people was also
arranged at the holiday homes at Christmas.
The seven luncheon clubs operating in the Borough at Granville Road Community Centre; Harley
Road Gospel Hall; St. Michael's Church Hall, Knatchbull Road; Neasden Methodist Church Hall, Neasden
Lane; Anson Hall, Cricklewood; and the Willesden Green and Kensal Rise Senior Clubs, all had a
successful year's work during 1963. By arrangement with the Middlesex County Council, the meals are
cooked at a school meals centre and delivered by transport provided by the Committee to the clubs in insulated
containers. The meal, including sweet, costs the old people 1/3d. and 28,334 were served during the
year. The old people enjoy a good hot, well-cooked meal and the opportunity of meeting friends. Investigations
were carried out during the year into the establishment of further lunch clubs to serve those areas
of the Borough not at present adequately covered.
The meals on wheels service continued to be operated, in conjunction with the Women's Voluntary
Service, from the kitchen at the Kensal Rise Senior Club. During 1963, 16,154 meals were delivered to
housebound old people at a charge of 1 /3d. per meal to the recipient.
For those who can get out there are many clubs where they can find companionship. To assist
some of these clubs and attract more members the Committee arranged for professional entertainers to visit
15 of them one afternoon each month during the winter. This service is greatly appreciated by the members,
and supplements the summer entertainment in the parks.
After Harvest Thanksgiving, gifts of food were received from some schools and churches, in particular
from the Wykeham Junior School. Perishable items were distributed immediately, but a quantity of
dry goods were kept back and were distributed from time to time when help was needed quickly. Close
on 100 parcels of produce were distributed by the Co nmittee and several more by private donors.
At Christmas 1,300 food parcels were distributed to the over 70's who were in need. A further 200
names were provided to local concerns and individuals to receive parcels and 600 parcels were distributed
by Luke Old Folks Fund.
During 1963, "Operation Greenfield", under which housebound old people are taken into the
country for the day, was carried out on 3 days in August when 100 old people were taken by car and special
coach to Maidenhead and Bray where they were provided with refreshments.
The problems which are brought to the office are varied and numerous and a large number of cases
are referred by hospitals when an old person is about to be sent home. Much visiting and case-work is
carried out and although statistics tell little of this part of the Committee's work it is worth recording that in
1963, 2,349 office interviews were held and 1,059 home visits made.
On the recommendation of the Welfare Organiser a number of wireless sets were supplied to the
bed-ridden by the Wireless for the Bedridden Society, the total number on loan from that source being close
on 50. Ten old people were provided with new free television sets through the generosity of an anonymous
donor. A number of reconditioned television receivers and radios were also made available to housebound
old people by the Committee.
The Welfare Organiser acts as a referee to various charitable organisations and distributes monetary
payments on their behalf.
All the above services except "Operation Greenfield" are financed from a grant of £17,235 which
the Council set aside for the Committee's use in 1963/64. Financial assistance from the Middlesex County
Council towards administration and visiting costs amounted to £1,490.
A Flag Day and House Collection in September raised a net sum of £527 towards the cost of
Christmas parcels and further donations for that purpose totalled £110. Close on £100 was also donated for
outings for the housebound.
In November the Committee initiated a scheme for the distribution of welfare foods among old
people through the clubs, clinics and domiciliary services.
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
In accordance with the provisions of section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, arrangements
were made for the burial of eleven persons during the year, at a cost of £137 2s. 0d., £114 0s. Od. being
recovered from the relatives.
PUBLIC MORTUARY
Post-mortems were performed on 643 bodies, followed by an inquest in 113 cases.
Sixty-eight inquests were held on Willesden residents, but only one of these was held in the Coroner's
Court attached to the mortuary. The remainder were held at Ealing.