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Welfare Services.
My report last year covered the nine months from the 1st April, 1965, when the Welfare
Services became the responsibility of the London Borough of Hammersmith after their transfer
from the former London County Council. In this period the foundations of the services were laid
and it was envisaged that during 1966 they would be consolidated and expanded; and, while much
in this direction has been achieved, there have been some setbacks due partly to the need for
financial stringency as a consequence of the Government's economic policy; and partly because of
the difficulty in recruiting experienced administrative and social work staff.
The services concerned are those for blind, partially-sighted and other handicapped
people; residential accommodation for the elderly and for homeless families; registration and
inspection of homes for the elderly; provision under housing powere of flatlets for old people;
care of unmarried mothers before and after confinement; and domiciliary visiting for old people,
including the meals service. The scope of the work undertaken is indicated in the following
sections.
Residential Accommodation for the Elderly.
On the 1st April, 1965, five small homes providing accommodation for 320 elderly people
were transferred to the Borough from the former London County Council. On the 7th May, 1966, a
new purpose-built home, Southway Close, was brought into use, when the opening ceremony was
performed by Dame Florence Cayford, D.B.E. This home, which accommodates 78 men and women
in 54 single and 12 double bedrooms, is equipped to modern standards with a lift, hand rails and
other fitments, and is suitable for the reception of infirm, handicapped and blind residents,as
well as old people in need of care and attention.
Southway Close is in the heart of Hammersmith, and its residents are therefore able to
continue living in the locality they know, and they are near relatives and friends. As with the
Borough's other modern purpose-built home, Westway Park, it is proposed later to erect nearby a
number of flats for elderly people, so that the tenants would be able to take advantage of the
amenities provided at the Home. In addition to the five small homes, the Borough was allocated,
on the transfer of functions from the London County Council, a total of 242 beds at Brockle Bank
and King's Mead, two large welfare homes owned by other London Boroughs. It is the wish of the
Ministry of Health that these former large public assistance institutions should be closed and it
is planned to replace them by additional small homes as soon as circumstances permit. Another
home for 60 old people had been planned by the London County Council in the grounds of White
Chester, one of the existing small homes for elderly people, and it was intended to proceed with
this project during 1966. The economic situation, however, necessitated its postponement until
1967/68, in order that the conversion of St. Vincent's House near Hammersmith Broadway could
be put in hand. The scheme for the adaptation of St. Vincent's House, to provide accommodation for
35 active men and women and a Day Centre for the elderly, is now going forward.
In addition to the homes for the elderly, the Council is responsible for 195 people in
homes run by voluntary agencies.
Homeless Families.
Since the Council assumed responsibility for the accommodation of homeless families,
there has been considerable reorganisation of this service which has eased the problem. In April,
1965, some 114 families were accommodated in two large blocks of sub-standard flats and 3 families
in a special centre. There were also reception facilities for 7 families in accommodation administered
by the London Borough of Hackney.
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