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The work undertaken has varied from making boxes, labelling bottles
for chemicals, to stitching Christmas decorations and filling envelopes
for a mail order firm; these are just a few types of work. At
times it is difficult to obtain offers of work - there are periods
when for economic or seasonal reasons, things seem at a standstill,
and our Workshops have had to face these times of slackness. Progress
cannot but be slow, but the scheme has already justified its existence
by the therapeutic value and its effect on the old people. The aim
of the Workshop is rehabilitation - to help those who think they are
long past work to realise that they are not old because they are pensioners.
There have been several cases of workers going back to fulltime
jobs, and of one or two of those sent to us by hospitals and
doctors, being restored to health. We are content to have achieved
these results.
Holidays
More and more old people are taking advantage of our subsidised
holidays scheme. In May last year 104 went to Bognor for a fortnight
62 went to Southsea, and in September another group went to Bognor.
Also in September a coach party of 41, of those able to pay the full
cost, spent a happy week at Newquay. Many handicapped cases have been
found accommodation in convalescent homes which cater for their particular
disability. The Lions' Club of Southwark sent a party of old
people to Great Yarmouth for a week in the summer.
For the first time this year the Borough Council sent old people
away away under their special scheme which has certain conditions
laid down, and those who qualify make a token payment of £1. This
scheme, administered by the Southwark Old People's Welfare, has proved
a great boon to a large number - for some it has meant that they
have had the first real holiday by the sea in their whole lives.
The Chiropody Clinic
The demand for chiropody among the old people increases every
year and far outstrips the possibilities of the existing number of
clinics, especially for the home-bound who must be brought in or
treated through the domiciliary service. It is hard to have to disappoint
old people whose comfort depends so largely on this service
and we should be so glad if it could be expanded to allow for more
sessions.