View report page

170
'needy' elderly people known to the department received a parcel
although, inevitably, a few persons in this category and not on the
Council's lists were missed. However, information supplied by the
volunteer distributors in respect of the latter persons has proved
extremely useful and they were subsequently visited by Public
Health Officers.
The success of the operation was due in no small measure to
the help given by the voluntary distributors of the food parcels and
they were all thanked personally by the Mayor for their efforts.
Observers
Services provided in this Borough for the elderly are attracting
observers from many sources. Representatives of interested organisations
from Australia, America and Czechoslovakia have been
welcomed and given every opportunity to study our services for the
elderly. In particular, following a request from the Ministry, arrangements
were made to give a conducted tour of our geriatric services
to a group of 25 Italian doctors, some of whom returned in 1967
with other colleagues.
Advantage is also taken of our services by Health Visitors and
Hospital Students in accordance with their various curricula.
Voluntary Help
There are a number of voluntary organisations and 'solo'
volunteers giving to our elderly citizens regular services such as
grasscutting and gardening, painting and interior decorating, driving
and escorting, radio and T.V. repairs, sewing and mending, sick
visiting and shopping, provision of firewood and fuel, hairdressing
and changing of library books, etc.
In order to attract more voluntary help for our elderly folk,
particularly from senior schools, church and youth organisations
during the year, talks, films and lectures were used to disseminate
information about the general activities and responsibilities of the
Health and Welfare department within which there is great scope
for the volunteer. Particular emphasis was given to explaining the
growing problems of an increased elderly population and to the
needs of those younger persons with physical and mental handicaps.
Following requests from schools in the Borough, that their
Harvest Festival gifts should go to local old people, the department
supplied appropriate names and addresses and assisted with distribution
and transport, where required.
Many Christmas Parties were arranged in the Borough for
elderly and handicapped people by local organisations and local
Rotary Clubs again arranged outings and entertainment for many
old people recommended by the Department.