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26
OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE IN FULHAM
(INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY MR. C. P. THATCHER, LL. B , HONORARY SECRETARY
FULHAM OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE COMMITTEE)
The Fulham Old People's Welfare Committee is a co-ordinating and advisory body set
up for the furtherance of old people's welfare in the Borough of Fulham. It is a
voluntary organisation which has as its members representatives of authorities and
organisations concerned with the welfare of the aged It derives its income mainly from
grants from the Borough Council The following activities in this field have been
selected as being of general interest
Grant from Borough Council
The grant from the Fulham Borough Council for the year 1961/62 was £3,250,
representing an increase of approximately £800 over the previous year. The increase
was mainly to meet the additional cost of the meals services
Meals on Wheels and Luncheon Clubs
The meals on wheels service, which is undertaken by the Women's Voluntary Service,
enables two course hot mid-day meals to be delivered to the homes of house-bound or
infirm old people in the Borough Each meal costs the Committee 2s. 6d., of which 10d.
is paid by the recipient, 1s. by the London County Council, and the balance of 8d.
is borne by the Committee An application has been made by the Committee to the
London County Council for an increase in their 1s subvention and this is still under
consideration. The Council has approved the purchase of a new van more suited to
the Committee's requirements, and it is expected that this will go into service in
the Spring of 1962.
There is still a popular demand for mid day meals at club premises and the four
luncheon clubs in the Borough which are run by voluntary organisations, have continued
their useful work throughout the year The charge to the old people is 10d. per meal
(as for meals on wheels). The number of meals supplied during the year ending 31st
March, 1962, are summarised on the attached statement.
Invalid Meals Service
This service which has been in operation for some years, enables invalids needing
special diets to have mid day meals delivered to their homes. The meals are prepared
at a kitchen in Munster Road and are taken to the homes of patients by mobile meals
vans fitted with special containers to keep the meals hot whilst in transit. Some 550
meals a week are delivered in this way 500 to Fulham patients and 50 to patients in
neighbouring boroughs Most of the recipients are elderly people and although the cost
of each meal is approximately 5s., the patient's contribution is only 1s. 4d. New
patients are not accepted for the scheme unless their applications are supported by
medical evidence of need The demand for the service during the past year has been
very heavy and there is now a waiting list
The London County Council are at present responsible for invalid meals, but new
powers are now available to enable Metropolitan Borough Councils to administer the
service if they wish to do so Fulham Borough Council has expressed the desire to
exercise these new powers and invalid meals will no doubt become a Borough Council
service before long
Social Clubs
The 13 social clubs in the Borough all of which are run by voluntary organisations,
have been well supported during the year They offer companionship to those who are
lonely and the atmosphere of their weekly meetings is always convivial They arrange
their own entertainment, annual outings and Christmas activities towards the cost of
which the Old People's Welfare Committee, in appropriate cases, makes a grant