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76
One of the fundamental difficulties of the public health department
is to find out who among the elderly require help or advice, and where
they may be found. Nevertheless, it can be said that more and more of
this population group are becoming aware of the services available and
arc taking advantage of them. This is borne out by the increasing
numbers shown on the returns made to the department by the various
sections dealing with old people.
2. Powers available
Until 1962 the metropolitan boroughs had very limited powers
with regard to carrying out this work, and apart from a few minor
more or less indirect duties in connection with the elderly, their power
was limited to making grants to those voluntary organisations which
provided meals or recreation for old people. The Borough Council
took full advantage of this, as will have been seen in previous annual
reports, and apart from that made to some twenty voluntary clubs of
varying size and complexity, a very large grant, increasing each year
has been made to the Lewisham Old People's Welfare Association, which
is the main coordinating organisation for old people in the borough.
The power to make grants was contained in the National Assistance
Act, 1948, but last year there was passed the National Assistance Act
1948 (Amendment) Act, 1962, which empowered local authorities,
as an alternative to giving grants to voluntary organisations, to carry
out similar work directly themselves.
Direct Work
The Saville premises in Lewisham High Street were opened in
October 1961 as a centre for various activities for old people. At these
premises there are three flourishing afternoon clubs, two morning
handicraft classes and a well-equipped kitchen loaned to LOPWA for
the provision of meals. During the year 1963 for example, 29,784 meals
were prepared of which 12,338 were taken up by the luncheon club at the
Saville itself. There is also two clubs for the homebound and handicapped
that meet at these premises. These elderly people arc picked
up from their homes and returned by special transport which is provided
with a lift, and which is accompanied by a paid escort.
The Burnt Ash Centre in Burnt Ash Hill was opened in October
1962 by the Mayor, and consists of a workshop for the elderly and
other rooms used by the afternoon clubs for the elderly.
The number of elderly workers who attend each week at the
workroom is about 80 and many of these people attend 4 or 5 times a
week. The hours of work are restricted to 2 hours a day per person, and
pocket money is earned at the rate of 1s. 6d. per hour. The problem of
finding suitable work for the elderly has not proved as difficult as anticipated
and work was available for all the workpeople during the whole
of each year since the inception of the scheme, although there were
fluctuations in the type of work available at various times. The type of
work carried out included the following.