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166
Publicity
It has been found that many old people have little or no knowledge
of the local services available to them. To help remedy this
situation the Council distributed 10,000 copies of a booklet specially
prepared as a guide to the services available to elderly people.
Early in 1966, the Department issued a comprehensive guide to the
Health and Welfare Services to all local general practitioners,
hospitals, statutory and voluntary organisations and to all workers
in the health, welfare and social fields.
Recreational Facilities for the Elderly
Day Clubs for the Homebound—Since 1957 a Day Club for
homebound elderly has operated at Kidbrooke House, Shooters Hill
Road, S.E.3, and it provides much appreciated recreational facilities
and companionship. Members of the club are transported by the
Council's coach on five days of the week and the successful functioning
of the scheme owes much to the devoted attention given by the
W.R.V.S. and the B.R.C.S. Each week about 50 homebound persons
are able to take advantage of these facilities and this club is so
successful that the Council's Welfare Committee is anxious to
establish similar services elsewhere in the Borough. Unfortunately
suitable premises with a high standard of comfort are difficult to
come by and the Committee were constrained to introduce a 'pilot'
scheme at one of the Old People's Homes. This has not been quite
the successful venture as had been hoped but it is abundantly clear
that much of the success of these clubs depends upon the close
relationships built up between the voluntary helpers and club
members. Nevertheless, although expansion in this field is being
eagerly sought, present financial stringency will prove to be a
substantial obstacle.
Day Clubs for the Elderly—A number of elderly persons, whilst
fit and active, are of a 'retiring' nature and are either unwilling or
find difficulty in joining a large club. Therefore, in an endeavour to
encourage them to mix, Day Rooms are made available at West
Greenwich House, 141 Greenwich High Road, S.E. 10, Charlton
House, S.E.7, Ogilby Club, Calderwood Street, S.E. 18, and Victorians
Club, Sherard Road, S.E.9.
At these clubs, which are open to any elderly person from
approximately 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, they will find
warmth, comfort and companionship over a cup of tea or during
lunch. Outings and parties are also arranged for club members.
It is with regret that the closure of the club at Calderwood
Street at the end of the year has to be reported but, fortunately, in
a rebuilding scheme in the vicinity, provisions are being made for
another such club to be established.