View report page

34
It has also been suggested to the clubs which do not already do it,
that they might consider setting up handicraft classes for their members,
this being thought to be in some ways a suitable alternative to
the so-called "workshops for the elderly" which have been set up particularly
in a few London boroughs. There are many difficulties with
regard to starting such workshops in an outer London dormitory
borough such as this, but these difficulties would not apply to handicraft
classes and if the work turned out at such classes were good
enough it would have saleable value of its own. Unfortunately most
of the clubs found it impracticable to get sufficient of their members
interested in the scheme to allow a qualified teacher to be obtained
for them, but one or two clubs are still making efforts in this direction.
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 Council makes grant. LOPWA is
responsible for the meals-on-wheels service to housebound old people
and to certain clubs, and during the year ended 31st March 1962,
38,269 meals were delivered. In addition the WVS delivered 6,066 in
one area of the borough.
The Saville
The committee had for some time past been anxious to acquire
premises which could be adapted for various services for old people,
and even provide a comprehensive centre for such services. The search
for premises however failed until the autumn of 1960 when a dance hall
in Lewisham High Street, known as The Saville, came on the market.
After inspection by officers and consideration by the committee the
Council decided to purchase, and agreed terms were eventually reached.
The premises comprised a large main hall with small stage, three other
rooms on the ground floor and three rooms (including a bathroom)
upstairs. There is a commodious cellar. Major alterations and decorations
were made and the premises were officially opened by the Mayor,
Councillor L. H. Moody, J.P., on October 7, 1961. Mrs. M. L. Shorten,
appointed as Warden, had taken up her duties a little time previously.
By the end of the year afternoon clubs, each with its own voluntary
committee under the guidance of the Warden, had been opened on
Wednesdays, Fridays, and Mondays. The two former became almost
immediately "full" at about a membership of 80, and the Monday club
was being built up. In addition two handicraft sections had been started,
on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. All those attending the morning
sessions or afternoon sessions are eligible to have lunch on the premises.
Two of the ground-floor rooms of the premises were thrown into
one and were fully equipped for the preparation of meals. This preparation
is undertaken by LOPWA who have appointed a cook-manager
and ancillary staff. Besides supplying the local club members, "mealson-wheels"
are provided. The first meal service started on December 5,
1961. It is hoped to develop further the various activities at the premises,