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In addition the Borough was allocated beds at the under-mentioned two large welfare
homes owned by other authorities. This accommodation is used for elderly people who, because
of infirmity , are not suitable for small homes.
Establishment Places allocated Owning Authority
King's Mead, 2 Dovehouse St., 122 Royal Borough of
S.W.3. Kensington & Chelsea
Brockle Bank, 77 Swaffield Rd., 120 London Borough of
S.W.18. Wandsworth.
Westway Park, which was opened by the L.C.C. in March 1965, was the only home within
the Borough. It is equipped with a lift and is suitable for handicapped and more infirm people.
Not only does it provide a high standard of accommodation and comfort, but it has the added
advantage that the residents remain in or near the environment where they have previously lived
and can easily be visited by relatives and friends. Thirty-two flats owned by the G.L.C. are
associated with, and linked to, the Home. Tenants of these flats can share the facilities of the
Home, and an emergency call system allows the staff of the Home to give them help in case of
need.
Southway Close, within the Borough, was under construction in 1965 for opening in the
Spring, 1966. Future building will depend on the availability of sites or premises for conversion .
The London County Council had planned another home for 60 old people in the grounds of
White Chester. The Council decided to proceed with this project which is needed to replace
some of the beds in Brockle Bank so that this former Public Assistance Institution can be closed.
The problem of finding suitable sites for other homes, to replace the remaining beds in Brockle
Bank and King's Mead, was given much thought but still remains unsolved.
Plans were drawn up for adapting premises, formerly a convent, as a home for about 30
old people with a day centre for the elderly. This will be in the centre of the Borough and will
provide valuable facilities for some who would otherwise be housebound, and for others who can
no longer manage in their own homes, even with the full support of the domiciliary services.
A weekly charge of £9.3.2d. was made for accommodation, but this was reduced for residents
with small incomes and little capital. The minimum charge was £3.4.0d a week, allowing
residents whose only income was the retirement pension or National Assistance Benefit to retain
16/- a week for pocket money. In addition sweets, and either one ounce of tobacco or 20 cigarettes,
were issued weekly; and small sums were paid as rewards to residents who carried out
tasks to assist the running of the homes. Arrangements were made for residents to go away for
holidays if they were fit to do so, and for elderly people living with relatives to be received
temporarily at the homes to allow their relatives to go on holiday. Outings, film shows and
other entertainments were organised for the residents.
The Borough Council inherited from the former London County Council a waiting list for
residential homes of 119 (30 men and 89 women) . This list was reviewed, and at 31st December,
the number awaiting admission was 136 (35 men and 101 women). This will be reduced by the
opening of Southway Close; but with the increasing proportion of elderly people in the community
and despite the extension of domiciliary services, the demand for accommodation is likely to
increase. In addition to the establishments administered by the Borough, arrangements were
made with a number of voluntary organisations and statutory authorities to receive into their
homes elderly people for whom the Borough were responsible, and at 31st December, 1965, some
200 people were so maintained.
Homeless Families.
On 1st April, 1965, two large blocks of sub-standard buildings with accommodation for
144 families and one training unit for four families, were allocated to the Borough for the
(60)