View report page

55
Lambeth Centre for the Elderly, 69/73 Knowle Road, S.W.9.
The official opening of the Centre was performed by His Worship the
Mayor on 18th June in the presence of Mr. Marcus Lipton, M.P.for Brixton;
the members and friendsof the Association; the Lambeth Borough Councillors;
and the representatives of regional and national old people's organisations
Included in the ceremony was the presentation of a small gift to the retiring
Honorary Treasurer, Mr. R.E. Doubleday who had given ten years loyal and
hardworking service to the Association. During the year people from various
Parts of the United Kingdom and abroad have visited the Centre and there
have been favourable comments on the decor and comfort of the Centre. In
March the Mayor made a return visit to the centre which made a fitting ending
to its first year of life.
Work Centre. The move to the new Centre at the beginning of the year
resulted in some loss in members. During the year under review the membership
rose steadily from 36 to 62, including at one time 13 men the largest
number in the history of the work centre. The Council's Public Relations
Officer prepared an excellent publicity leaflet which was circulated to local
firms and resulted in a number of new contracts. Many jobs have been
done in connection with the distribution of advertising literature which is
clean, simple and interesting work. However most of the new contracts have
been spasmodic and it has been useful to have button carding, hose darning
and tin foil sorting to fill in the gaps.
In December the wages of the members was increased from 10/- to 15/Per
week (from 1/- to 1/6 per hour). The Chairman communicated this
change to the members at the Christmas party and he also took this opportunity
to explain the spirit behind the work being done in the Centre. He
Trade it clear that every worker was expected to give of his or her best and
that people who treated it merely as a club where one received wages would
be expected to move upstairs to the Rest Room. The members greatly
appreciated his frank words and have made every effort to take a responsible
attitude towards the work they are doing which has served to improve the
Quality and quantity of work produced.
The Rest Room was opened on 18th June. At first only a few enquiries were
received, but with the help of a publicity leaflet membership steadily increased,
reaching by the end of the year the figure of 148. It was originally
agreed that members should be restricted to attending two half days a week
and that club members would be excluded. It was, however, found that
People showed a marked reluctance to commiting themselves to attending at
any particular time and it was also difficult to decide what type of group,
Activity would be called a Club. The Executive Committee therefore
decided to permit members to use the Rest Room at any time during the
week, but all new members were warned that if the Rest Room became
overcrowded entry wouldhave tobe restricted. In fact it has been found that
there are rarely more than thirty people present at any one time. A relaxed
companionable atmosphere has developed. Members play cards or other