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Holidays for Elderly Persons
By means of a scheme administered through the Old People's Welfare Council, 536
persons were able to enjoy a holiday by the sea, or in the country, at greatly reduced cost,
where their circumstances were such that it would not have been possible for them to take
a holiday at their own expense. A grant of £2,750 was provided by the Borough Council for
this scheme.
Parcels for Elderly persons
In October the Council authorised the expenditure of £50 for Christmas gifts of food
parcels to about a hundred old folk and these were much appreciated. Selection was made by
our Visitors and delivery carried out by the Islington Old People's Welfare Council.
Islington Work Centre for the Elderly
The Islington Work Centre is held in rented premises at the Elizabeth Whitelaw Reid Club
Cloudesley Street, N.1., which commenced activities in October, 1958, and continues to give
physical and moral stimulus and recreation to an increasing number of elderly persons
approximately 60 attending at the end of the year. The Centre is run under the aegis of a sub
committee of the Islington Old people's Welfare Council, the Chairman being Alderman A.J
Rogers, and Miss K.D. Lane, Centre Organiser. A wide variety of jobs are done by the old folk
such as assembly and packing of eye-drop bottles, carding cigarette holders, circularising for
mailing houses and making up divisions for cardboard boxes.
As the first venture in Islington of this kind, it appears to fulfil a need and it is
anticipated that it will serve as a forerunner to Work Centres in other parts of the Borough
The Council agreed to assist this work with an annual grant of £1,800.
Chiropody
The Council has continued to support voluntary organisations in the provision of a
chiropody service for elderly persons. There has been found to be an extensive demand for
treatment and nine clinic sessions were held weekly, three at the Islington Medical Centre
the Gifford Hall Mission and the Junction Road Congregational Church Hall, respectively.
Clinic appointments were made through the Public Health Department until the end of September
when these arrangements were transferred to the Islington °ld People* s Welfare Council following
consultations between the London County Council and the Borough Council.
A limited domiciliary service is in operation and all applicants are visited by the Old
People' s Health Officers before treatment is given.
In addition, sessions for members of an old people's club continue to be held three times
a month at the Caxton House Settlement, Fonthill Road, N.4.
PUBLIC MORTUARY
By agreement with the St. Pancras Borough Council the use of the Council's Mortuary was
discontinued as and from 31st March, 1949, all bodies being received at the St. Pancras Mortuary
Camley Street, N.W. 1., after that date.
ISLINGTON CREMATORIUM
The Medical Referee or the Deputy Medical Referee certified a total of 583 applications for
cremation at the Council's Crematorium, East Finchley.