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There is, however, still room for expansion in this area and
it is hoped that one day there will be clubs for the elderly
in all parts of the Borough. Loneliness is often one of the
most pressing problems of old age but much can be done to
ameliorate and reduce its effects
(iv) Visiting and Advice
Social Workers have continued their periodic visits to the
aged to try and help with particular problems. Housing and
Rent Act difficulties and the complexities of every day life
trouble many, apart from the large number of crises calling
for immediate attention. The social workers endeavour to give
practical help and advice on a wide range of problems.
(v) The Voluntary Help Service
This service was created initially to work with the old Welfare
Services Department, and much of its work is still with the
elderly, blind and handicapped. Since the major re-organisation
in April, this year, it has been drawn into other areas of work
in which volunteers are competent to help.
Very many of the volunteers come from the schools in the Borough,
and many of the remainder are young people in their twenties
who are at work and given of their time in the evenings and
at weekends. The service also receives valuable help from
interested Church groups, and from other voluntary organisations.
A large amount of help given is in the form of visiting those
who are isolated and lonely, A great variety of practical work
is undertaken Examples include shopping, escorting, gardening,
wheelchair outings, window-cleaning, decorating and hairdressmg.
(vi) Holidays, Outings & Entertainments for the Elderly
As usual, over 400 old people enjoyed a holiday during 1970
arranged by the Welfare Services, and in addition, a number of
outings and theatre trips were held. Many parties were held at
Christmas time in Fulham Old Town Hall and at Hammersmith
Town Hall when about 1,600 elderly enjoyed themselves and
also greatly appreciated the concerts provided by the Borough.
(vii) Services for the Blind & Physically Disabled
The register increased still further and now numbers nearly
1,850, of these 762 were registered blind or partially-sighted.
Although the services are largely integrated there are certain
special provisions for the blind, e.g. the teaching of Braille
and Moon.
The blind continued to use the Talking Book Service and it is
pleasing that the service also benefits the house-bound
disabled allowing those with such severe handicaps to get more
enjoyment out of life.
'Ulverscroft' large print books were made available to the blind
and partially-sighted in Residential Homes and others were able
to borrow them through the library service, A number of blind
people were employed in the Sheltered Workshops and some went
to training or rehabilitation courses run by the Royal National
Institute for the Blind.
D.12