View report page

has necessitated the use of a second unit in order to meet the demand,
and it was also decided to deliver meals on Monday and the service
now operates from Monday to Friday. The total number of meals
delivered during the year was 10,001.
With the advent of Christmas the Meals Organiser was again
approached by a firm of popular caterers who offered to supply a
3-course frozen Christmas Dinner comprising soup, chicken, brussels
sprouts, baked potatoes, stuffing and Christmas Pudding at very
reasonable cost. The offer was accepted and on Christmas Eve, in
addition to the ordinary daily meal, 48 of these special Christmas
Dinners were distributed by the Secretary of the Council for the
Welfare of Old People, who was accompanied by a member of the staff.
Owing to the closure of the local London County Council
restaurant it became necessary to find an alternative source of supply
and the Meals Organiser was able to make arrangements with the firm
undertaking the catering at the Municipal Offices.
In the autumn a quantity of packet tea and sugar was received
from a Bermondsey school for distribution to homebound old people,
the Headmaster of the school having recommended his pupils to bring
such gifts to the school for their Harvest Festival in place of the
customary fruit, flowers, and vegetables. The commodities were
distributed to the old folk a little at a time and were greatly appreciated.
OUTINGS:
It was decided during the summer to arrange for afternoon outings
for homebound old folk. It was known that many old people very
rarely have the opportunity, by reason of physical incapacity, of getting
outside the four walls of their homes and it was felt that something
might be done for them. A letter was sent to local practitioners and
others who might have knowledge of these people, outlining the scheme
and asking them to furnish names and addresses. As a result of this it
was possible to arrange four afternoon coach trips around the countryside
with tea provided en route. Thanks are due to those helpers who
took charge of the parties and for the co-operation of the District
Nursing Association for arranging for a nurse to accompany each party,
particularly the male nurse who was of great assistance in carrying
many of the old folk in and out of the coaches. Many letters of
appreciation were received from those who went on the trips and it is
hoped that a similar venture can be undertaken during the coming
summer.
During the spring, gifts of flowers were received from the Hampshire
Girl Guides' Association and distributed to the old folk. This
has brought a great deal of pleasure to them and this kindness shown
by the Guides is much appreciated.