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British Red Cross Society, Walmsley Street, E.C.1.
British Red Cross Society, Priory Green Community Centre, N.1.
St. Luke's Church, Old Street, E.C.l.
St. James (Pentonville) Womens Fellowship, Pentonville Road, N.1.
St. James (Clerkenwell) Clerkenwell Close, E.C.1.
Holy Redeemer Church, Exmouth Market, E.C.1
Sunshine Club, 33 Lloyd Baker Street, W.C.1.
Special mention however, should be made of that organised by
the British Red Cross Society at 9 Walmsley Street, E.C.1. The
premises consist of the basement (kitchen) ground floor and 1st
floor of a medium sized terraced house. These are open most days
of the week for club members and other elderly to make use of as
they wish-though in fact the numbers using them have been small.
The ground floor rooms are used as a snuggery for the elderly to
sit and gossip round the fires.
A special afternoon meeting was arranged each week for the
housebound elderly and special transport has been arranged for
them. This provided a valuable amenity for those not normally
able to take advantage of facilities and services available for
the more active elderly.
(1) Compulsory Removal: It was only necessary on one occasion
during 1961 to use the provision of the National Assistance Act
or of the Amending Act (under which both the Medical Officer of
Health and his Deputy are empowered by the Council to act in
urgent cases) to secure the compulsory removalof any aged persons.
The case in question was a man in his late 70's living alone under
insanitary conditions who subsequently settled down in a Welfare
Home.
OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY:
1. Ambulance (F.O.P.W.C.): An ambulance was presented to the
Finsbury Old People's Welfare Committee through the generosity of
the Rotary Club (Finsbury) in 1959. This has been used for the
conveyance of the infirm aged to the club already referred to and
for other purposes on behalf of the elderly. It has also been
loaned to other organisations providing recreation for the handicapped.
In addition, due to the non-availability of more suitable
transport, it has also been used for the delivery of domiciliary
meals until November 1961, when it was possible to purchase a more
suitable van from a grant received from the Council.
2. Barber and Hairdresser Service (F.O.P.W.C.): The Committee
provided a domiciliary Barber service (Haircutting and Shaving)
for elderly men who were housebound or bedridden. This was
essentially a restricted service for men for whom no other
arrangements were possible. There was no charge to the elderly
and the Committee paid the Barbers' fees.
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