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Of these, 52,916 (48,212) were delivered by the Meals-on-Wheels
service to elderly people in their own homes, the balance being
delivered to luncheon clubs.
The total number of persons in receipt of Meals-on-Wheels at the
beginning of the year was 290, and on 31st December, 1968 there were
297 persons in receipt of meals.
Laundry
The Council has no direct authority to provide a laundry service.
There does exist, however., a provision under Section 84 of the Public
Health Act, 1936, whereby the Council is empowered to cause any article
in a house to be cleansed, disinfected or destroyed if it is in such a
condition as to be a danger to health. Fouled bed linen in cases of
incontinence may be cleansed under this Section.
In order to comply with legal requirements, the Medical Officer
of Health has been given a general authority by the Council to take
whatever action appears to him to be necessary under the terms of the
section.
Action was taken in 72 (62) cases. The bedding was marked,
collected and laundered at the Council's disinfecting station at
Silchester Road Baths and returned to the persons' homes. The provision
of this service undoubtedly fulfils a much felt need. During the
year 2,424 (2,438) separate collections of laundry were made and the
number of articles cleansed totalled 29,458 (30,414).
Holidays
When enquiries were made with regard to reservations for 1968, it
was found that the Lakeside Holiday Camp at Wokingham used by the
Council for the previous two years had closed. In view of the heavy
demand on holiday accommodation it was necessary to make immediate
alternative bookings and intensive enquiries were made to find suitable
accommodation at reasonable cost. After visits to numerous camps it
was decided to use Maddieson's Holiday Camp, Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent,
for the active elderly requiring no assistance.
In order to satisfy the needs of the handicapped and to include
residents of Part III homes a booking was made with the Little Oyster
Holiday Camp, Minster, Isle of Sheppey. This camp has been specially
adapted for use by handicapped persons.
The staff on duty at this camp included members of the department
from head office, residential homes, a coach driver, and members of the
International Voluntary Service.
In order to cater for the more severely disabled, a number of
bookings were made through the Women's Royal Voluntary Services, Winged
Fellowship at Crabhill House, near Redhill, Surrey.
The total number of people for whom two weeks' holiday was arranged
was 351 (363), of whom the majority were elderly, but included some who
were blind and physically handicapped.
The gross cost to the Council for all holidays was £6,840 (£4,565).
SOCIAL AND REHABILITATION CENTRE
The Centre which is in its third full year of operation provides a
daily service to its members who are blind, physically handicapped or
elderly. Membership on 31st December, 1968, was 130 (123).
The staff consists of the Supervisor, Deputy Supervisor, kitchen
and cleaning staff and a handyman/porter. The main activity of the
members is handicraft work under the instruction of tutors engaged
through the Inner London Education Authority. Instruction in pottery-