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week-ends when the recognised statutory and voluntary services are not
available. Besides visiting, such tasks as gardening, window cleaning,
hairdressing, shopping, decorating and spring-cleaning were undertaken.
Twenty-two young volunteers prepared and cooked meals for nineteen
elderly persons on Saturdays during the year.
Both the numbers of volunteers and the number and variety of tasks
undertaken are increasing and consequently more old people are benefiting
from this service.
Many letters of appreciation have been received from the elderly
recipients and also from other voluntary organisations who referred jobs
and who are working in close co-operation.
Voluntary Visiting.
Some forty to forty-five unattached voluntary visitors have been
engaged during the year in visiting regularly one elderly person each;
also a very active Good Neighbours scheme is functioning in the Chelsea
area. Approximately one hundred voluntary visitors from churches in the
borough of all denominations are providing a valuable contribution to
this work. An essential feature of a voluntary visiting service,
particularly where more than one scheme is functioning is good
co-ordination. This has been materially assisted by the special
appointment agreed by the Council of a liaison officer whose help and
advice is already being warmly received by many voluntary organisations.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
Social and Rehabilitation Centre.
The Centre, situated in Gertrude Street, S.W.10., which was opened
in November, 1965, continued to provide a daily service for the blind,
physically handicapped and elderly. At the end of the year, the
membership had increased to ninety-five persons.
The Centre is staffed by a Supervisor and Assistant Supervisor,
kitchen and cleaning staff and a porter. Transport is provided for
handicapped persons to and from their own homes. A mid-day raeal is
provided and morning and afternoon tea.
The main activity is handicraft work, for which qualified
instructors of the Inner London Education Authority are engaged. A
variety of activities is planned as the membership increases. A summer
outing to Worthing took place in August and the members spent an
enjoyable day. Parties were arranged at Christmas for the members and
those who attend the Blind Club. An Open Day and Sale of Work was held
in October, which made it possible to display the high standard of work
carried out. The total sum of £79.1s.6d. was raised from the sale of
articles.
Holidays.
A comprehensive holiday scheme for blind, handicapped and elderly
people, including residents of the borough's homes was arranged. Two
hundred bookings were made at California Lakeside Holiday Camp in
Berkshire, and ninety-seven bookings were made at guest houses at
Ramsgate and Herne Bay. Other special holidays were arranged at
establishments catering for the very severely disabled.
The camp had been specially adapted for handicapped persons by