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WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE
The Council have accepted the responsibility, within their powers,
for co-ordinating and assisting in the extension of activities for aged
persons and to alleviate unsatisfactory conditions under which many old
people are living.
Co-operation with voluntary bodies interested in the welfare
of old people is effected wherever possible.. In order that action taken
shall be uniform, the Kensington Old People's Welfare Voluntary Committee
act as an intermediary between the Council and the voluntary bodies.
Four members of the Public Health Committee serve on the Old People's
Welfare Voluntary Committee which acts as a co-erdinating non-executive
Committee through which voluntary bodies claim assistance from the Council
and through which the Council pass requests for executive action.
Advice Leaflets
The Council arrange for the distribution of copies of a
pamphlet giving information of the services available to old people
individually or through a club.
S.O.S. Cards
Window display cards are provided by the Council, bearing the
letters "S.OoS" in red on one side and, on the reverse side, directions
how to use the card, with space for particulars of next-of-kin or nearest
relative. 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.
Under Section 31 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the
Council can 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) The Kensington Communal Kitchens Service
were granted £500 as a contribution towards
the cost of operating a Meals-on-Wheels
service in co-operation with the Kensington
Women's Voluntary Services.
(b) The St. Luke's Darby and Joan Club were
granted £7 for the purchase of equipment.
(c) The Kensington Council of Social Service were
granted £120 for chiropody treatment of old
persons confined to their homes.
(d) The Home from Home Club, Royal Palace Hotel,
were .granted £42. 14s. 6d. towards their
general running expenses.
Holidays
The Council have a scheme of arranging holidays for old people
under which the Family Welfare Association co-operate. An elderly
person must apply for a holiday to the Medical Officer of Health, who
investigates the applicant's circumstances. If the application is
approved, it is referred to the Family Welfare Association, who make all
the arrangements for the holiday, the net cost being borne by the
Council.
Bookings were made at two holiday resorts, Southsea and