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24
CARE OF THE ELDERLY
1. General
The year was marked by a growing awareness among the elderly of
the services that are now available to them, This is shown by the increase
in numbers who participate in the activities arranged for them apart
from those who are members of the various old people's clubs. There
is more variety of interests, and it is gratifying to see a willingness
among club members to suggest new ideas and ways of helping some
of the less fortunate among them.
2. Direct Work
(a) The Saville
Activities at The Saville continued throughout the year except
for Christmas week during which essential repairs were carried out to
the building. The pattern of activities carried on by the clubs remained
much the same as in 1963, and club memberships remained at their
maximum during the whole period.
Again there were a number of outings organised by the Management
Committee, and it is pleasing to note that members of the "housebound
clubs" were taken on a number of afternoon tours of the countryside.
A week's holiday at Llandudno with arranged tours was taken by some
41 members in June, and was reported to be a great success.
A number of London County Council classes were arranged for
members where handicrafts, dressmaking, old time dancing and singing
in choir were taught.
There was some difficulty in the supply of meals to club members
by the meals-on-wheels service, so it was decided to introduce frozen
meals into the meals service and the services of a cook. This was
started in January 1965 and has proved a successful solution to the
problem.
The hiring of the Saville hall to outside organisations and individuals
continued throughout the year. The hall is always well booked up and
provides a very necessary service to the public for wedding receptions
and other meetings.
(b) Burnt Ash
The number of elderly workers taking advantage of the facilities
for employment provided in the workshop at Burnt Ash Centre averaged
74 per week all through the year, but dropped off at the end of May for
two weeks to 52 because some of the members were on holiday. The
workshop is used to its full capacity, and there is a waiting list of people
wishing to be employed there. The hours of work continued to be
restricted to 2 hours a day per person and the pocket money earned
remained at 1s. 6d. per hour during the whole of the year. There was
little difficulty in finding suitable work which was adequate at all times,
although there were seasonal fluctuations in the type of work available.