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81
Miss W. (68 years)
This spinster, who had no known relatives, lived in one room and was a dressmaker who
had recently stopped work. In 1961 she was referred to the Department by her Medical
Practitioner because of the neglected conditions in her home. When the Health Officer
visited, she found the room so congested with mirrors and furnishings from her dressmaking
business that it was almost impossible to get into it. The home-help and mealson-wheels
services were provided for her. Later she was admitted to Hospital for a
short time, and on discharge the domiciliary services were re-introduced She became
very confused and muddled about her affairs, but she would not go for any psychiatric
advice. Finally she agreed to go into a Welfare Home, provided it was the one of her
choice and was situated in the country. A vacancy was obtained in Virginia Water, Surrey,
and towards the end of 1962 she went to live there; up to the present she has remained
quite happy in her new surroundings
National Assistance Act, 1948. Section 31
"Meals-on-Wheels " and Lunch Clubs
This Section of the Act permits Local Authorities to make contributions to the
funds of any voluntary organisation whose activities include the provision of recreation
or meals for old people. Grants were approved for "Meals-on-Wheels" services operated b
the Women's Voluntary Service and the Islington Old People's Welfare Council.
Meals supplied during the year were as follows:Meals-on-Wheels
Women's Voluntary Service 7,016 ) 18,610 meals cooked
Islington Old People's Welfare Council 6,032 by NALGO, Town Hall
Canteen
Lunch Clubs
Gifford Hall Mission Welcome Club 3,986 )
Caxton House Settlement 1,576 )
A lunch club at St. Giles Christian Mission Bride Street, N.7,; also produced
2,271 meals with the help of their own voluntary workers and Council grant-aid.
Another lunch club, situated in the Borough of Finsbury, at Claremont Central Mission,
White Lion Street, also caters for Islington residents and receives a £50 grant from
this Council.
The provision of between 70 and 80 meals each day of the service is, of course,
very useful and, since much of the work involved in the transport of meals is of a
voluntary nature, the "Meals-on Wheels" service does represent a very considerable
voluntary effort. Nevertheless, the present service is limited because it is not
possible, in general, to provide each elderly person recommended for a meal a delivery
on more than two days a week. From the nature of the recommendations, there is no doubt
the great majority, if not all would benefit by the service being at least doubled to
4 meals, or possibly more, per week This has not hitherto been possible, but it is
certainly to be hoped that an increase can be envisaged in the not too distant future.
Holidays for Elderly Persons
Assisted holidays were again much in demand, and 537 elderly people were able to
enjoy a holiday through the Borough Council's grant-aided scheme, which is administered
by the Old People's Welfare Council. A sum of £2,430 was earmarked to meet costs which
pensioners could not be expected to pay. Most holidaymakers, however, were able to pay
some of their expenses and Miss Church, Honorary Secretary of the Welfare Council,
arranged to collect small weekly sums to suit the convenience of the savers.