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local authorities were enabled to contribute to the funds of voluntary
organisations providing these amenities. The Minister stated that
further services not covered by statute can best be provided by voluntary
workers, such as regular visiting of old people in their homes and helping
them with their shopping, obtaining books and magazines from local
libraries, with letter writing and mending, and generally in solving
minor domestic difficulties. Home Visiting can mitigate the sense of
isolation and loneliness, and can draw attention benefits of other
voluntary and local authority services.
The Minister added that all local authorities should do everything
in their power to encourage further voluntary efforts to meet the needs
of old people, especially those living in their own homes.
In Westminster, the City Council has worked in close association
with voluntary bodies catering for the welfare of its aged citizens, namely-
The British Red Cross Society—Mobile Meals Service.
The Westminster Division of the British Red Cross Society have for
some years been operating a service for the delivery of hot mid-day
meals to the homes of aged people who are themselves unable to provide
hot mid-day meals.
The service has hitherto been operated by two vans provided by the
Society, and in order to meet the increasing demand for the service, a
third van and equipment was purchased by the City Council for the
Society and brought into use during the year. The City Council in
addition makes a grant to the Society of 75 per cent. of the running
costs of the three vans.
The meals are purchased by the Society from a Londoners' Meal
Service Centre at a special price of 8d. per meal. The meals consist of
meat or fish and two. vegetables, and a sweet. The cost of the meal
is recovered by the British Red Cross Society from the recipients at the
time of delivery. Some 7,243 hot meals were delivered by the Society
during the year, and the service is much appreciated by the old people.
The Westminster Old People's Welfare Association.
This voluntary association formed in 1948 receives an annual grant
from the City Council and is provided with office accommodation in the
Public Health Department .
During the year the number of Darby and Joan Clubs throughout
the City increased from 7 to 8. Apart from the recreational facilities
provided at these Clubs, the old people are provided with light refreshments,
summer outings and Christmas parties organised by the Association
which has also successfully organised holidays at seaside resorts for
the aged during out-of-season periods, while the regular home visiting by
the members of the Association has brought a measure of comfort to
the lonely. The Association also started a weekly foot clinic for the
elderly, and for those unable to attend the clinic, treatment at their
own homes is arranged.