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dation of homeless families. The Borough also shared with other London Boroughs two establishments
administered by the London Borough of' Hackney i.e. a reception centre for homeless
families at Morning Lane, Hackney, and accommodation for overnight and weekend emergency
admissions at Lambert Road, West Ham. A scheme for re-organising the reception, accommodation,
supervision and training of homeless families was approved by the Borough Council's Welfare
Committee. The training unit was therefore closed temporarily and completely re-organised; and
was later re-opened with a newly-appointed resident Supervisor and Assistant Supervisor to give
continuous supervision, guidance and training to five or six families. The acquisition of additional
premises within the Borough for another "Second stage" training unit for six families was
approved by the Welfare Committee. This re-organisation, including an increase in the number of
social workers allocated to homeless families, has brought about a reduction in the number of
families remaining in temporary accommodation.
Services for the Blind, Partially-Sighted & Other Handicapped Persons.
Services for the blind, partially-sighted and other handicapped people were provided by
the Council under Sections 29 and 30 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, in conformity with
schemes approved by the Ministry of Health. Domiciliary visits are undertaken by qualified home
teachers for the blind and by other social workers. Two clubs held weekly meetings in the
Borough, and about 57 people were also conveyed weekly to the purpose-built centre at Warwick
Row, Westminister, and the centre at Brockle Bank, Wandsworth. The majority of these attended
the centres two or three days weekly and had mid-day meals there. A small number make their way
to the centres by public transport and the Council pays their travelling expenses. The Council's
Housing Committee made Blythe Hall, W.14 available for use as a day centre, and at 31st December,
1965 , adaptations were in hand with a view to opening the centre in the Spring, 1966. Outings
and holidays were arranged and transport was provided by one utilibus and two coaches,
transferred from the London County Council, which had hydraulic lifts for wheelchairs. In order
to maintain existing services three more utilibuses were ordered and, whilst awaiting delivery,
transport pooling was arranged with the London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Lambeth. Approval
was given by the Welfare Committee for a shop adjacent to the Old Town Hall, Fulham, to be
adapted and equipped as a centre for the display and sale of handicapped persons' appliances
and gadgets. It also sells various materials to them and takes back and retails to the public the
finished articles they have made.
Domiciliary Services for the Elderly.
The former Metropolitan Borough Councils provided home visiting services for the elderly
which have been continued in this Borough. With a limited staff available only those people in
urgent need could be visited, but with the increase expected in the number of social workers this
part of the service should be greatly improved during the coming year. Assistance from other
services such as home helps, chiropody, laundry and home bathing were provided by the Borough's
Health Service. The Mobile Meals Service, referred to later in this report, was of inestimable
value.
During 1965 holidays at seaside resorts were arranged for people of pensionable age.
These followed the pattern of those previously undertaken by the Fulham Old People's Welfare
Committee and the former Hammersmith Borough Council. Some 385 people had holidays of one
or two weeks duration at Broadstairs, Margate or Littlehampton, at a cost of £5 a week inclusive
of transport. Many outings were arranged, including river trips and day visits to the seaside.
Meals Service.
At 1st April, 1965 "Meals on Wheels" and bulk meals for Luncheon Clubs were being
provided either by Hammersmith Town Hall kitchen or by a contractor on behalf of the Fulham
Old People's Welfare Committee. Special diets and meals for invalids were provided by the
Invalid Kitchens at Acton and Fulham. The establishment of a new central kitchen had meanwhile
been approved and on opening early in the new year, took over the supply of all mobile
and luncheon club meals, with the exception of invalid meals cooked at the Fulham kitchen.
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