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Borough of Lewisham in addition to the Chiropody Clinics
conducted by voluntary organisations in this Borough particulars
of which are set out on page 29.
The Camberwell Borough Council makes an annual financial
grant to the Camberwell Old People's Welfare Association
which undertakes and co-ordinates a variety of services for old
people. Details of these activities are set out in the following
extracts from the Association's Annual Report for the year
ended the 31st March, 1955.
Meals on Wheels
This Service takes ready-cooked dinners to elderly persons
who are for any reason unable to cook for themselves or to go
out to attend a local Dinner Club. The Borough of Camberwell
is entirely covered by this Service and everyone eligible, receives
at least two dinners per week. The charge made is 10d. for a
two-course meal.
The administration of the Meals Service is carried on from
the Association's office, but for practical purposes the Borough
is divided into two areas. Part of the Service is then run by
the Association itself in conjunction with the Union of Girls'
Schools for Social Service Settlement. The dinners for that
section of the Meals on Wheels Service are prepared in the
Settlement Kitchens and taken round by two vans on four days
per week. The number of dinners served from the U.G.S.
Settlement in the past year was approximately 7,824.
One van belongs to the Association and the other is loaned,
with driver, by the Borough Council. The Association has its
own paid part-time driver. The Helpers are all volunteers.
The "diet" meals service, introduced on the U.G.S. round
last year for those unable to eat the ordinary dinner, has proved
of benefit to those whose digestions have been impaired by age
or illness. The standard meal, however, continues to be popular
with the majority of the old people on the Meals on Wheels
Round.
The Women's Voluntary Services are also responsible for
part of the Meals Service and have three private cars with
volunteer drivers and helpers going round their area on two
days per week. They obtain their Meals from the Troy Town
Dinner Club Kitchens. The number of Dinners served by the
W.V.S. in the past year was 4,402.
The Women's Voluntary Services make their own arrangements
with the authorities about the subsidy on the Meals
supplied on their rounds, and apart from a small payment
towards the costs of "washing up" do not receive any financial
help from the Association.