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Meals-on-wheels service 52,652 dinners were delivered to the housebound
and to Darby and Joan clubs, 14,383 more than last year. (The deliveries
to the dinner clubs totalled 18,045.) The dinners were drawn
from three sources; Dartmouth restaurant, 31,270; Lewisham Town
Hall canteen, 1,044; Saville kitchen, 20,338.
All the increase was thus taken up by the Saville kitchen and most
of the increased number of dinners delivered were accounted for by the
dinners to club members at the Saville clubs. When the Town Hall
basement canteen was closed and the new restaurant opened (in 1963)
collection of dinners from the fifth floor was found to be difficult and
the small number of 24 dinners per week which were being supplied
by the Town Hall was taken over by the Saville. Deliveries to the
housebound are still twice a week, though generally a meal for the next
day is also left.
Holidays and outings The number of holidays arranged and subsidised
increased considerably. The total was 360 (193 in 1961/62). Of these,
56 were special holidays for frail and handicapped old people. Holidays
for another 80 were arranged through the Women's Holiday Fund.
22 grants were made to old people who made their own holiday arrangements.
A number of half-day outings for the infirm were organised,
including a party at Stanstead Lodge.
Marmite The sales of this useful nutrient for old people again increased.
Boarding-out scheme Ten people in all accepted offers of accommodation
during the period: of these 5 were men and 5 women. Of the ten: two
were found unfurnished flats which were referred to LOPWA as the
owners did not wish to advertise; two were found unfurnished accommodation
sharing amenities with the existing tenants (all four were lonely
people who have been helped by being brought together); five were
found accommodation with board—of these two moved on to rest homes,
one died, and two are still boarded out; one was found temporary
accommodation while her landlady had a holiday. At the end of March,
6 of the 10 were still in private accommodation found by LOPWA.
Others were found accommodation, but for one reason or another did
not accept it. One was about to move to an address but had a relapse
and had to stay in the nursing home she was in.
Cases referred 1,377 new cases were referred to the office during the
year—111 more than the previous year. 3,719 callers were dealt with at
the office during the year.
Other activities The usual annual exhibition of handwork was organised,
and the annual Service at St. Mary's Church for old people and their
friends was arranged. Distribution of Christmas parcels and dinners
was organised as usual, and to an increased number—770—with the
help of members of schools, youth groups, Rotary clubs and others.
Several old people had their rooms redecorated by groups of volunteers.
A Talent Show, in which all the artistes were members of Darby
and Joan Clubs, was produced by Mr. Wybrew, the then public relations
officer, in September. A start was made with a junior pensioners club
(for recently retired pensioners) which meets once a month at the
Saville.