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making has recently been added to the already successful classes in hard
and soft crafts. Transport is provided to take all the handicapped
persons from their homes to the Centre in the morning and back to their
homes in the evening. A substantial mid-day lunch together with morning
and afternoon tea is provided. On their annual Summer Outing the
members were taken to Eastbourne. The outing, which included a visit
to the Pier, was greatly enjoyed by all. In October the Annual Open
Day and Sale of Work, which was held this year in conjunction with
"Help the Disabled Week", again made it possible to display the high
standard of work achieved by the members. This was reflected in the
total sum raised from the sale of articles, £l67. 5s 11d.(£113. 1s.3d).
The Christmas party which was held at the Centre was very well attended
and was most successful.
Task Force
During the year, Task Force continued to operate in the Borough.
Some 835 volunteers, enlisted from schools, youth clubs and groups, as
well as individuals, were involved in providing help to the elderly.
The average number of visits made to elderly persons each month was
1,079; regular visits were made to 641 persons. In addition, Task
Force volunteers carried out 91 decorating jobs and 740 other jobs,
such as window cleaning and gardening and escort duties.
Much of the work performed by Task Force is done during the weekends,
when the recognised statutory and voluntary services are not
available. The number of volunteers recruited is encouraging as is the
widening variety of tasks being undertaken. Consequently more elderly
persons are benefiting. Many letters of appreciation have been received
especially for the arrangements which were made for the well-being of
lonely elderly persons over the Christmas holidays. Relations with
other voluntary organisations have been consolidated and an interchange
of services and information continues to be satisfactory.
The following services were provided in conjunction with the
Kensington and Chelsea Old People's Welfare Committee:-
Chiropody
A domiciliary chiropody service was provided for home-bound elderly
persons. The three chiropodists employed carried out 1,979 visits to
428 individual persons. Administrative assistance for this service was
provided by the British Red Cross Society. A clinic operates at the
Chelsea Community Centre in co-operation with the School of Chiropody,
the Old People's Welfare Committee and the British Red Cross Society,
and 2,120 treatments were given to 385 elderly persons. No charge is
made for the service.
Library Facilities
The Libraries Committee authorise the provision of suitable books
including large print (Ulverscroft Print) for old people confined to
their homes. The books were distributed by the British Red Cross
Society in the Chelsea area, and by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service
in the Kensington area. The number of persons who benefited from the
service was 117 (135).
Advice Leaflets
The publication and distribution of pamphlets giving information on
the services available to old people was arranged by the Old People's
Welfare Committee. Approximately 3,000 were distributed. In addition,
and by arrangement with the Department of Health and Social Security,
cards giving general information on how to obtain services are sent to
persons reaching retirement age.