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was included in the annual estimates for the year 1951-52 for such
organisations as accepted the Council's conditions and to assist any other
such voluntary organisations as might be established during that year.
Reports were made to the Public Health committee giving details of the
work undertaken by the voluntary organisations and as a result grants
were made as follows :—
£
Lewisham Old People's Welfare Association 1,200
Lewisham Darby and Joan Club 300
Over 60's Club 30
St. Mark's Old Folks' Club 65
Talbot Settlement Old People's Club 10
Good Companions Personal Service 15
St. Swithun's OAP Association 25
This left a sum of money available for new clubs which might
qualify for grant, but by the end of the calendar year no further applications
had been made.
It is hoped that such old people's organisations as can will not only
provide the usual afternoon's recreation with a little tea, but will also
make arrangements to provide lunch either on the day the club meets
or another day. To this end the Lewisham Old People's Welfare
Association is prepared to cooperate by conveying the meals in bulk
from the central kitchen, where they are obtained, to the luncheon
club. Nutrition is a large factor in the health and wellbeing of the aged,
and it seems likely that many of the minor troubles which particularly
affect the aged could be prevented, or at any rate postponed for some
years, by better nutrition.
Besides the luncheon clubs at the Lewisham Darby and Joan club
and at the Old Folks' club, St. Mark's Church Hall, Lee, two other
luncheon clubs were started during the year or at the beginning of
1952, namely the Over 60's club held at St. Mark's Church Hall,
Downham, and the St. Swithun's OAP Association, held at St. Swithun's
Church Hall, Hither Green Lane.
The health department during the year continued to take a detailed
interest in the work for old people generally and remained in the closest
touch with the Lewisham Old People's Welfare Association (LOPWA),
which Association has offices in the department. LOPWA is, so far
as the borough council's work for old people's welfare is concerned,
the main body in the area and has affiliated to it the various other bodies
to which the borough council makes grant. In May, 1951, LOPWA
adopted a new constitution. The main object of the change was to
provide a constitution which would enable the Association to obtain
charitable status. Application to the Inland Revenue authorities has
since successfully been made for recognition as a Charity for income
tax purposes.
As a result of recommendations put forward by a small subcommittee
of LOPWA in March, 1951, a separate and independent