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(ii) Weekend Meals 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 and those for the Blind at St. Simon's Church Hall and at
Bishop Creighton House 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 fast-changing 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 400 elderly persons enjoyed a holiday during 1969 under
arrangements made by the Welfare Services and, in addition, a number of
outings and theatre trips were organised. A large pumber of parties took
place just before Christmas in Fulham Old Town Hall and the Hammersmith Town
Hall when 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 1,800 - of
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