View report page

27
The Association welcomed this proposal although it was stressed
that there still remained the need for a Short Stay Home.
Accordingly, the Council at its meeting on 15th December, 1960,
agreed that the basement of Sherborne House, Abbots Manor, should be
adapted for use as a Day Club and Luncheon Club for old people at an
estimated cost of £4,000, and that a grant of £600 should be made to the
Association for the provision of essential furniture and equipment for
the Club on condition that this should be returned to the Council if it
ceases to be used for this purpose.
The Association proposes to use the premises as a Day Club for
handicapped old people on three days per week (including the service of
lunches which will be cooked on the premises) and as a Luncheon Club
on two days per week. This latter proposal will necessitate the transfer
from the British Red Cross Society to the Westminster Old People's
Welfare Association of responsibility for the Luncheon Club at present
run at Tintem House.
The proposed Day Club will provide a club room, a warden's office,
kitchen, bathroom, hairdressing and chiropody cubicles, together with
lavatory accommodation, and the total estimated net cost of running the
Club will be in the region of £2,000 per annum.
The Association have stated that they could not contemplate an
annual expenditure of the order of that indicated above, unless an
assurance could be given by the Council of financial help. The City
Council, therefore, informed the Association that favourable consideration
would be given to annual applications for financial assistance towards
the running cost of the Club.
A Club for handicapped old people, of the character proposed, will
cater for the recreational needs of a section of Westminster's elderly
population for whom no provision has formerly been made. It is hoped
that the Club will open in June, 1961.
British Red Cross Society Mobile Meals Service
During I960, the Westminster Division of the British Red Cross
Society continued the service which it established in the City in December,
1946, for the delivery of hot mid-day meals to the homes of old people
who are themselves unable to prepare meals at home. In June, 1959,
in an endeavour to provide more balanced and nourishing meals for old
people, the price paid to the caterers was increased from Is. 6d. to 1s. 10d.
per meal and as a result the menus improved considerably. The price
charged to the old people remained unchanged at 8d. per meal; in
February, 1960, the London County Council's contribution was increased
to 11d. per meal and the balance of 3d. per meal is borne by the City
Council.