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24
Christmas Parcels
The Christmas Dinner Fund Committee collected sufficient money
to provide 625 housebound and lonely old folk with a Christmas parcel.
In addition to this number it is known that over 300 other pensioners
received some form of parcel or gift.
Coal (gift)
During the year various sums totalling £224 were received by
the Old People's Welfare Committee and this enabled 160 old people
to receive two cwts of fuel. Preference is given to invalids,
rheumatic sufferers and basement dwellers.
Accidents in the Home
In preventing accidents, which may be caused by faulty gas
appliances, any defects are referred to the North Thames Gas Board,
who inspect and advise on any improvements that may be needed. Whenever
possible, gas and electric meters are lowered so reducing the risks old
people take in the home climbing chairs, etc.
Fireguards are supplied by the Old People's Welfare Committee or
on application to the London County Council and safety bath mats are
also supplied.
Old Time Dancing and Arts and Crafts Classes.
Both these classes are still very well attended and are of
considerable therapeutic value to their members. These classes are
sponsored by the London County Council who provides the Instructors and
charges a small fee of 1s. 6d. per term and 2s. 0d. per annum respectively.
Number attending Dancing Class 60
Number attending Arts and Crafts Class 26
Clothing Issues have been made through the Women's Voluntary Services and
the Welfare Officer to 196 persons during the year.
Hospital Admissions and Institutional Care
Difficulty in securing accommodation for the chronic sick continues
but as excellent relations exist between this Department and the local
hospitals, patients are admitted with the minimum of delay.
Every effort is made by the Old People's Welfare Services to maintain
old people in their homes as long as possible with the result that only 19
people were admitted to Homes during the year and in only one case was it
necessary to take action under statutory powers.