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greatly appreciated by all who are concerned with the nursing of the aged in their own homes. Of
those assisted some were awaiting admission to hospital but others, with the help of the service, were
able to continue to be cared for at home. Certain of the cases require to be dealt with for short periods
only, while others need assistance for a long time.
During two weeks in October it was necessary, on account of machinery overhaul, to close the
laundry dealing with this service, but with the co-operation of the Baths Superintendent it was possible
to maintain it uninterruptedly by having the work done at the Public Baths.
St. Marylebone Old People's Welfare Association.—The Executive Committee of the Association
(Chairman—Mrs. L. Fewster ; Hon. Secretary—Miss M. K. C. Macintosh, Room 103, Town Hall,
St. Marylebone, W.l) has kindly provided the following information on the work carried out during
the year.
The Association held no open meetings in 1952, but the Executive Committee met each month
(except in August) and the monthly visitors' meetings were continued. The attendance at these
varied but they proved a valuable feature of the Association's activities.
The new Mayor, Alderman H. C. Rowe, became President of the Association in June, and continues
in office during his second year of Mayoralty in 1953. His active interest in its affairs is greatly
appreciated. In September, Alderman A. E. Reneson Coucher, O.B.E., was elected the Association's
first Vice-President, thus becoming permanently associated with the work which his enthusiastic
sponsorship during his Mayoralty did so much to place on a satisfactory basis.
Representatives of the Association attended conferences held by the National Old People's Welfare
Committee, the London Council of Social Service and the Central Consultative Committee for the
Administrative County and the City of London. Their interesting reports have, it is hoped, enabled
the Association to have a mental horizon wider than the confines of the Borough. For the same reason
it is gratifying to record that a member of the Committee was invited to represent the Association
on the Divisional Home Nursing Voluntary Committee No. 2 of the Central Council for District
Nursing in London, and that the Hon. Secretary was elected as one of the five representatives of
local old people's welfare committees on the Central Consultative Committee on the Welfare of Old
People.
During the year there were two additions to the facilities for old people in the Borough: (i) the
reduced price of private baths at the public baths establishment, and (ii) the London County Council
scheme for providing night sitters-up. During the year the Executive Committee had on several
occasions discussed reports on voluntary schemes relating to the latter, and there was general
satisfaction when the County Council decided to extend the home helps service in this way and to
make it free for old age pensioners receiving a national assistance grant.
The Association's own activities and services were maintained and developed. The following
summary is only an outline which should be filled in by a mental picture of close on 100 voluntary
workers, men and women, giving their time and energy to the service of St. Marylebone's old people.
It is from their personal relationships with individuals that the work derives its value.
The Women's Voluntary Services continued to deliver hot meals to the house-bound on five days
a week. About 7,000 were provided during the year. The charge for meals had to be raised from 8d.
to l0d. but the increase caused no difficulties either in the "meals on wheels" service or at the luncheon
clubs. On Christmas Eve, "Frood" Christmas dinners, the gift of the Mayor, were taken to all old
people on the list, with instructions for their preparation. In July a change was made in the
arrangements for the delivery van. The Cleansing Committee of the Borough Council were unable
to continue to spare one of their drivers, as they had done for four years. The Public Health Committee,
however, made a driver available and provided garage space on Council property.
The W.V.S. Luncheon Club was full every day from Monday to Friday. The dinners were transported
from the London County Council restaurant in the Association's van, thus adding some 6,000 meals
to its yearly total. The Cook Shop of the St. Marylebone Housing Association and Trust again served
some 5,000 dinners to old age pensioners at the special price of lOd. They now receive assistance from
the London County Council by way of subsidy for each meal on the same basis as the "meals on wheels"
service and the W.V.S. luncheon club.
The demand for the chiropody services continued. In June it was decided to hold a morning session
(with one chiropodist and no students) as well as the afternoon one, and this for a time relieved the
pressure. In the autumn the Chiropody School of the Chelsea Polytechnic were obliged to withdraw
their students as they were all needed at the Polytechnic's own clinics. In place of the students a second
chiropodist is now employed. This, and increased rent, necessitated the charge being raised from Is.
to Is. 6d. Only two patients out of the 370 on the books made any objection to the increase. The
pressure on the clinic is so great that new appointments can only be made six or eight weeks ahead,