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(d) Sheltered Employment:
The scheme inaugurated as an experiment in 1951 to provide
sheltered employment for those of the elderly, who are unable to
continue in normal employment and yet are able to undertake
suitable light work for 2 hours daily, has continued to play an
important role in the provisions made for this group of the
community. It is administered by a special voluntary organisation
known as the Finsbury Employment Scheme for the Elderly, and has
received generous support from the Council.
The Work Centre named "Brooke House" situated at 39/41
Gloucester Way, E.C.1. made possible as a result of a number of
generous benefactors and opened by the late Lord Horder in
November 1954, has proved eminently satisfactory in every way.
In 1960 a small branch scheme for about 10 persons was opened
in the Community Centre on the Priory Green Estate. It was hoped
to expand this branch in 1961 but so far this has not proved
possible.
Some 120 elderly persons have undertaken work which has been
mostly outwork on behalf of many firms, who have generously cooperated,
but some articles have been made for sale to the trade
or direct to the public.
The elderly employed have for some years been paid a small
wage amounting to 10/- a week, which is slightly more than the
actual value of the labour provided. It was possible towards the
end of 1961 to increase this wage to 12/6 per week.
This Scheme has not only brought joy and happiness to many
elderly people but has been of great value in preserving their
health of mind and body. It has also attracted intense interest
from many parts of the country and from overseas, and many bodies
are considering inaugurating, or have inaugurated, similar
schemes.
(e) Holidays: The Council has continued this service designed to
preserve the Health of the elderly by allowing those sufficiently
able to do so to benefit from a stay of two weeks in the country
or at the seaside. Applications were invited by public announcement
and through variously interested clubs and societies, such
applications were made to the Health Department. Each applicant
was required to contribute a small sum towards the cost, normally
ten shillings per week, but varied slightly in some cases.
Arrangements were then made for the holiday at one or other of
the holiday homes run by voluntary organisations.
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