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the letters "S.O.S" in red on one side and, on the reverse
side, directions how the use the card and particulars of nextof-kin,
nearest relatives and local social services. These cards
were distributed to appropriate old people with instructions
how to use them. Any person seeing one of the cards in a window
would be able to summon help from one of the sources given on
the back of the card. The local press generously assisted in
making this service known.
Grants to Clubs, etc.
Financial aid which the Council grant is given direct
to the voluntary organisation concerned.
In this connection the Council decided to exercise the
powers of Section 31 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, to
make contributions to voluntary bodies in respect of the
provision of recreation or meals for old people.
During the year grants were made as follows :-
(a) Latymer Road Mission Old People's Luncheon
Club were granted £100 towards their general
expenses in providing meals, including
replacement of equipment.
(b) The Quest Old People's Club were granted
£3° 0s„ Od. for the purchase of gramophone
records.
(c) The Kensington Communal Kitchens Service
were granted £200 as a contribution towards
the cost of operating a Meals-on-Wheels
service in co-operation with the Kensington
Women's Voluntary Services.
Holidays
In April, 1951, the Council approved a scheme under which
the Family Welfare Association co-operate in arranging holidays
for old people. An application for a holiday is made to the
Medical Officer of Health, who investigates the applicant's
circumstances, and an assessment is made in accordance with an
approved scale of the contribution towards the expenses which
the old person is required to make. When the application is
approved it is referred to the Family Welfare Association, who
make all the arrangements for a holiday. The Association apply
to the Council for reimbursement of expenses after deducting
the contribution from the old person.
The Family Welfare Association were unable to continue this
work because of various difficulties which have arisen. These
include the non-reimbursable expense involved; numerous visits
to old people caused by their not replying to correspondence,
failing to collect travelling tickets or cancelling applications;
difficulty in finding escorts (escorts are necessary for about
half the applicants); difficulty in booking ground or first floor
rooms at holiday homes during the holiday period; difficulty in
booking travelling reservations during the holiday period; and
the reluctance of old people to go on holiday except in warm
weather.
The Council found it necessary to review the holiday scheme
and approved the following revised arrangements.
Block bookings of ground and first floor rooms for June