View report page

concern of the welfare services. There has been a tremendous fund of goodwill and willing help
and as a result much has been achieved.
The Guild of Community Care, which the Council was instrumental in forming in 1966, has
continued to work in close co-operation. It is not possible to mention all those bodies which have
assisted, but thanks are due to Rotary for their help with the Christmas Shopping Evening for the
Disabled which was a very successful event, over 300 seriously disabled persons from seven
London Boroughs enjoyed the facilities. Rotary also gave a great deal of help with the Mayor's
Christmas Parcels, being responsible for the delivery to approximately 1,350 elderly people.
Thanks are also due to the British Red Cross Society, the Women's Royal Voluntary Service,
Bishop Creighton House, Family Welfare Association, and many others interested in the needs
of the aged, blind, disabled, and deaf.
(v) Liaison with Government Departments
Close liaison has been maintained with certain government departments whose work affects
the social services. Particular thanks must be afforded to the local managers of the Ministry of
Social Security who have been specially helpful throughout the year.
(vi) Members' Enquiries
Members continued to show a great interest in the services provided in particular drawing
attention to the needs of certain residents with special problems.lt is interesting to note that
since 1st April,1965, no fewer than 396 Members' enquiries have been dealt with. Included in
this figure are a number from the three Members of Parliament.
D. Future Projects
During the year a great deal of work has been done on projects which will come to fruition
in the next year or so. These included:-
(i)"St. Vincent's", Queen Caroline Street which is a very interesting project and is due to
open in the Spring. It consists of a 34-bed Home, a Day Care Centre for the Infirm Elderly, a
Luncheon Club and a Social Club for the Elderly.
(ii) The building of the new 60-bed Home in the grounds of "White Chester' is proceeding
and should be completed and occupied early in 1969. This is the first stage of closure of " Rrockle
Bank the former Public Assistance Institution at Wandsworth.
(iii) Plans were finalised for a new 60-bedded Home ar Farm Lane, due to commence building
in 1968. Hopes are also entertained for a similar Home at Goldhawk Road. These are to
assist in the closure of " Kingsmead", also a former Public Assistance Institution.
(iv) Plans have been submitted to the Ministry of Health for a new Reception Centre, and an
additional "Raining Unit for families with problems. It is hoped these will be completed during
1968.
(v) In conjunction with the Housing Committee, plans have been agreed for providing *
number of flats for the Severely Disabled, a Residential Home for the Younger Disabled, And some
units of Sheltered Housing for the Elderly.
All these are very important services and will, in time, prove of great benefit to the residents
of the Borough.
E. Staffing is still the cause of some concern in all brances of the service. There is still a
great deal of movement of staff between the London Boroughs, and although in times of acute
shortage of experienced and qualified staff this is understandable, nevertheless it does not make
the task of providing good services any easier.The majority of local authorities are expanding their
social services and this is creating greater opportunities for the staffs concerned, as well as for
the recipients of the service.
82