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Some difficulty however was experienced in operating this
scheme as the two hairdressers who had been doing the work, were
not able to do so and at the present time endeavours are being
made to make suitable arrangements with other hairdressers. This
was possible on several occasions during 1961.
3. Christmas Parcels (F.O.P.W.C.): Many of the elderly have been
provided each Christmas with a parcel of groceries and other
suitable gifts by the clubs or churches with which they are
associated, or by the Finsbury Old People's Welfare Committee,
which has distributed about 300 each year.
4. Coal (F.O.P.W.C.): The Committee is registered in the Licensed
Merchants Register in relation to the district of Finsbury, as a
licensed merchant to furnish supplies of coal in quantities not
exceeding 28 lbs. This coal is stored at the Health Centre and
the service was used on numerous occasions to provide coal to the
aged in an emergency.
5. Mending Scheme for the Aged (F.O.P.W.c.): This Scheme provides
in association with the Finsbury Employment Scheme for the Elderly,
a Mending Service for the aged. There is a definite need for this
service which effects repairs to such items of clothing as socks,
underclothes etc, and is particularly useful in respect of the
male aged living alone. Substantial use had been made of the
Scheme. There is no charge to the aged.
6. Ophthalmic Service: As there were many elderly in need of
glasses or other ophthalmic treatment who found it too much
trouble to make an appointment at a hospital or other clinic, a
special arrangement was made in 1956, by the courtesy of Moorfields
Eye Hospital whereby appointments could be made on their
behalf and for them to be seen with a minimum of waiting in the
hospital. Extensive use was made of this service in 1961.
7. Outings: Christmas Parties: etc.: A number of outings in the
summer, and parties and visits to a theatre in the winter have
been arranged and given by many organisations and individuals
interested in the Welfare of the Elderly, as by the clubs in the
Borough. In some cases the arrangements have been made by the
Old People's Welfare Committee.
8. Patients in Hospitals & Hesidents in Homes (F.O.P.W.C.): An
endeavour has been made to keep in touch with Finsbury Old persons
in hospital and Welfare Homes, and so help them to feel that they
are not forgotten by sending them Christmas Cards and by
arranging friendly visitors for them. This has however proved
difficult and has only been successful to a limited extent.
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