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Much assistance is given in securing help in the home, home nursing aids,
fire guards, and helping with applications for pensions. Parties are arranged
for various outings during the summer and entertainment during the winter,
especially around the Christmas period.
The work of supplying meals to old people in their own homes was carried on
until 1958 in conjunction with the Invalid Kitchens of London. Midway through
that year, however, S. P. A.C A.'s first Meals Van was purchased. The second and
third vans were purchased and put into operation on the 29th June, 1959, and the
15th February, 1960, respectively. The first two were purchased through the Lord
Mayor of London5 s Air Raid Distress Fund of 1939-40. The third was presented by
Mrs. Gwen Geffen in memory of her husband, the late Dr. Dennis Geffen, whilst
the "Hotlock" container for it was purchased from funds collected by Councillor
Mrs. Louise Arabin.
The work carried out by the Borough Librarian and members of his staff in
providing books to old people in their own homes in many cases where they are
unable to journey to a branch library, provides a valuable contribution ancillary
to the aims and objects of S.P. A C. A.
During 1960 they supplied no fewer than 900 books to ninety elderly housebound
St. Pancras residents, whilst a further 1,200 books have been loaned to
old people living in special hostels in the Borough.
The International Voluntary Service, whose.members are volunteers of many
nationalities undertake to clean up and redecorate rooms in the homes of elderly
people who are unable to do the work themselves. No less than 44 St. Pancras old
people have benefited by this service. The I.V.S. charge only for materials used,
and such charge is generally met by the National Assistance Board.
I acknowledge with gratitude the splendid assistance and co-operation, in
this connection as well as in multifarious other ways, which has at all times
been available from officers of the National Assistance Board.
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