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Christmas Activities
In addition to the usual Christmas party at the Walham Green Methodist Church Hall
on Boxing Day, arrangements were made for the distribution of 150 gift parcels to
elderly housebound and lonely old people just before Christmas. The names were
selected from those submitted by 16 local organisations. The Fulham Grocers' Association
very kindly provided at a greatly reduced price the Christmas fare which was
delivered in carrier bags by members of the 23rd Fulham Boy Scout Group. The Mayor,
as usual, kindly met the expenses of the party, which this year cost £75, out of his
Charity Fund and attended the party with the Mayoress.
By arrangement with the South London Catering Company, all the recipients of
"Meals on Wheels" received a Christmas dinner during Christmas week.
The Committee's thanks have been expressed to all who contributed to the success
of these activities.
Entertainment provided by the Council
It is of interest to record that the Borough Council during the winter period
provided 12 afternoon concerts, 6 quiz concerts and various evening shows at the Town
Hall Whilst these entertainments are not specially for old people, they are greatly
enjoyed by elderly persons who form a large proportion of the audience on each occasion.
During the summer the Council also provides band concerts and variety entertainments in
the parks which again are enjoyed by a large number of elderly persons.
Voluntary Visiting
The good work of visiting old people in their own homes by clubs and organisations
has continued throughout the year. Requests are regularly received from hospitals,
relatives and other sources for old people living alone to be visited In the main
these are referred to Bishop Creighton House whose 25 visitors perform most valuable
work in this field.
There is always room for more voluntary helpers in this work to keep pace with the
many demands made upon the service.
Home Help Service
The officers and members of the Committee co-operate fully with the L. .C. C Home
Help Service which provides help in the house where it is needed. There are now 87
women helpers and 1 male helper on the register and approximately 60% of the cases
assisted are elderly persons. The number of elderly people receiving assistance on
30th March was 430. There is now a night help service in the London area and arrangements
can be made for a home help to sit with an elderly person in a case where the
doctor considers it is essential that the patient should not be left alone.
Activities of Local Organisations
(a) W. V.S.
Generous hospitality was received by parties of old people from the Women's
Institutes in the course of 5 invitations accepted for outings into the country.
In addition to the clubs shown on the annexed printed list the W. V. S. run a club
for housebound old people (the Autumn Green Club) who during the year had two coach
trips and a visit to the Aldershot Tattoo.
The Mayoral Green Club was the only club to enter an elderly persons choir
competition organised as part of the Bethnal Green Festival of Art and they were
awarded second place and a certificate of merit.