View report page

88
National Assistance Act 1948. Section 31
National Assistance Act 1948 (Amendment) Act 1962
'Meals-on-Wheels' and Lunch Clubs
As mentioned at the commencement of this section of the Annual Report, the Women's
Voluntary Service and the Islington Old People's Welfare Council were responsible for
meals-on-wheels deliveries to the 31st March 1963, from which date the service
including staff, was transferred to the Department. It was found possible during the
year to deliver on an additional day each week.

A lunch club at St. Giles Christian Mission, Bride Street, N. 7, also produced
1,957 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.
As mentioned above, it was found possible during the year to provide for a
limited increase of meals. The Committee also approved in principle the extension of
the service in the near future, which would entail the purchase of additional transport.
Holidays for Elderly Persons
Assisted holidays were again much in demand, and 515 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 £2,750 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.
Parcels for Elderly Persons
The Borough Council authorised the expenditure of £100 on Christmas gift parcels,
and it was possible to make a distribution to about a hundred elderly folk. The health
officers recommended suitable recipients and delivery was arranged by the Islington
Old People's Welfare Council.