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The Club organised by the British Red Cross Society at 9 Walmsley
Street E C 1 which was open most days of the week for club members and
other elderly to make use of as they wished and the ground floor
room used as a snuggery for the elderly to sit and gossip round the
fires, were closed in September 1963 Due to the fact that the Council
had acquired premises at the junction of Lever Street and Dingley
Place,the British Red Cross Club was able to move their activities from
Walmsley Street to the Old People's Centre in Lever St., on the 28th
September 1963
The British Red Cross were also able to continue the special
afternoon meeting arranged each week for the housebound elderly and for
which whenever available, special transport has been provided.
These clubs provide 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 not necessary during 1963 to use the
provisions 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 removal
of any aged persons
OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY
1. (Ambulance F.O.P.W.C): The Finsbury Old people's Welfare Committee
were presented through the generosity of the Rotary Club of Finsbury,
in 1959.with a secondhand ambulance This vehicle was used extensively
for the conveyance of the aged and infirm and also loaned to other
organisations providing recreation for the handicapped and the elderly.
In 1962 the ambulance had to be taken out of use due to the nonavailability
of spare parts I am happy to be able to say that the
Council have now resolved to purchase an ambulance for use in providing
recreation to the elderly, and it is anticipated that delivery will be
effected early in the New Year.
2. Day Care Service (F.O.P.W.C.): In April 1963 the Finsbury Old People's
Welfare Committee inaugurated aDay Care Service based on a belief that
there is a considerable group of elderly people who, because of mild
confusion, forgetfulness or physical disability, are unfit to be left
alone for long periods; who do not wish, or cannot, go into a Home;
who cannot be helped much by treatment in hospital (and if admitted
might block a bed for a long time for somebody who could respond to
treatment) and for whom the existing domiciliary services, statutory
or voluntary, do not fully meet the need
Needs The elderly who have the need for this service are those
who are very aged, suffering from ill health physical disability or
confusion, often bedbound, housebound, unable or afraid to go out on
their own and who either live alone or are left alone for long periods.
These people fall broadly into the following groups -
37.