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(ii) Weekend Heals Service
The weekend meals service continues to help that very small group of
housebound elderly and disabled who are unable to make any other arrangements
at the weekend or on Public Holidays. Approximately 60 persons are so
assisted.
(iii) Social Clubs
The social club at Fulham Road continued to provide pleasure and
interest for a number of elderly residents. It is open 5 days each week from
10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. In addition the 28 clubs run by voluntary organisations
which open on one or more afternoons continue to do good work.
There is, however, clearly room for expansion in this field and it
would be a happy state if there was a full-time club for the elderly in each
part of the Borough. Loneliness can be one of the real tragedies of old age
but much can be done to try and reduce its effects.
(iv) Visiting and Advice
Social workers have continued to pay periodic visits to the elderly
people to try and help with any problem. Housing and Rent Act problems often
trouble the elderly tenant who is likely to be bewildered by the complexity
of recent legislation and with the problems of daily living in a fastchanging
world.
In addition, there were a large number of daily problems and crises
which called for immediate attention and in which the social workers endeavoured
to give practical help or advice. Such requests cover a surprisingly
wide range and often tax the capabilities of the most experienced officers.
(v) Volunteer Help Service
This service continued to expand and during the year was able to help
a considerable number of residents. Assistance was given to the house-bound
elderly and the disabled in particular, with shopping, window cleaning, wood
chopping, gardening, friendly visiting and home decorating. Volunteers from
the schools, youth clubs, and members of the general public all gave of their
leisure time to assist in this very worthwhile service and I would like to
record my thanks to them all. I hope that the service will be able to expand
in the coming years, as it is an extremely valuable addition to the main
domiciliary services and often means so much to the recipient and can be so
very satisfying to the donor. It is an excellent example of the statutory
authority using voluntary help for the benefit of the community.
(vi) Holidays, Outings, and Entertainments for the Elderly
Over 450 elderly persons enjoyed a holiday during 1968 under arrangements
made by the Welfare Services and, in additiona a number of outings
and theatre trips were organised. A large number of parties took place just
before Christmas in Fulham Old Town Hall and the Hammersmith Town Hall whan
about 1,600 elderly people enjoyed themselves and greatly appreciated the
concerts provided by the Borough.
(vii) Services for the Blind and Physically Disabled
The register continued to increase and now numbers nearly 2,000 - of
these 960 are registered blind or partially-sighted. The services are
largely integrated although specialist services are provided for certain
aspects of blind welfare - e.g. the teaching of Braille and Moon.
G.3