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Buildings where about 60 families are accommodated. It is hoped alternative
accommodation will be ready by the end of 1970 or early in 1971.
A great deal of social work has been done in an effort to help the
families and there is no doubt that this is by far the most difficult type
of work undertaken by the Welfare Services staff. There is a very close
link with all other social work agencies concerned with the families, including
Children's Health, Housing, Probation, School Care, Inner London
Education Authority ,Family Welfare Association, the National Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and many other voluntary bodies
interested in this work,
Approximately 70 families were in the various units, and the resident
staffs have had a particularly difficult task. Their tolerance and understanding
have gone a long way in producing the satisfactory results which
were achieved in some of the cases.
(iv) Mother and Baby Units
By arrangement with other local authorities, temporary accommodation
was provided for a number of unmarried mothers or mothers-to-be, and
social work support given with the many problems which arose.
Domiciliary Services
It is estimated that there are approximately 30,000 persons of pensionable
age or over residing in the Borough and at any one time about
10% of them will be receiving domiciliary services from the local authority.
Some of them may well receive several of the services at the same time.
The main services included:(i)
Meals
The number of meals provided has continued to rise throughout the
year and approximately 1,350 meals a day were provided, Of these about
850 went to elderly people in their own homes and about 450 to those
attending the 13 luncheon clubs which are situated in various parts of
the Borough and vary in attendance from 15 to 70 persons. About 100 meals
were provided each day for the City of Westminster under an agency arrang
ment for persons residing in the Western end of that particular Boroughs
Approximately 120 invalid meals were also delivered and were provided
under Health powers.
This large daily operation involved no fewer than 19 vehicles and 36
staff, mainly drivers and servers, and much depended on the speed and
efficiency with which they carried out their duties in all weathers..
Delay at any stage of the preparation of the meal or its delivery to the
old people can affect them^oonsiderably as they have come torrely on it..
There is no doubt that this is a very valuable service and.ensures that
a large number of elderly people, the majority of whom have only basic
state pensions and allowances, receive a good hot meal each day.
In addition, those who attend the luncheon clubs can find companionship
which would otherwise often be lacking.
It is hoped that when financial considerations permit, there will be
further expansion of both the domiciliary meals and luncheon club facilities.
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