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how to use the card and particulars of next-of-kin, nearest
relatives and local social services. These cards are distributed
to appropriate old people. Any person seeing one of the cards
in a window is able to summon help from one of the sources given
on the back of the card. The local press have generously
assisted in making this service known.
Grants to Clubs, etc.
The Council have 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 North Kensington Old Age Pensioners' Club
were granted £3. 0s. 0d. for the purchase of
crockery.
(c) The Kensington Communal Kitchens Service
were granted £300 as a contribution towards
the cost of operating a Meals-on-Wheels
service in co-operation with the Kensington
Women's Voluntary Services.
Holidays
The Council have 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.
Block bookings of ground and first floor rooms for June
were made at two holiday homes, Lennox House, Southsea, and
St. Mary's Home, Dover. Private coaches were hired to take
the old people to and from these homes, and convenient assembly
points in the borough arranged. The Family Welfare Association
undertook the work, including the bookings at the holiday
homes and the hire of coaches, and the Council paid towards
their administrative expenses the sum of five shillings for
each person for whom a holiday was arranged.
The following is a summary of work carried out in 1954:-
Total applications received 115
Unsuitable on medical grounds 10
Consideration deferred 20
Referred to other organisations 10 40
Number approved 75
Cancellations after approval 13
Number sent on holiday 62
Number sent to Lennox House 43
Number sent to St. Mary's Home 19
Contributions by applicants £ 47. 16s. 0d.
Cost of holidays to the Council 437. 14s. 0d.
Booking fees paid to Family Welfare
Association 13. 0s. 0d.