View report page

10
The Sub-Committee also found that there was no complete and reliable record of old people in the
Borough and that many old people, particularly those living alone, were not known to the official and
voluntary bodies interested in their welfare and were probably unaware of the help that was available
to them. In an effort to overcome this problem a small leaflet (a copy of which is shown below) was
prepared and arrangements made for the leaflets to be handed out to old age pensioners as they drew
their allowances at Post Offices in or near the Borough. The willing co-operation and invaluable
assistance of the Postmasters and staffs of the Post Offices concerned in making possible such a wide
distribution is gratefully acknowledged.
TO OLD AGE PENSIONERS LIVING IN ST. MARYLEBONE
Do you want help of any kind ? Are you interested in:—
VISITORS CLUBS HOME HELPS FOOT TREATMENT
DINNERS BROUGHT TO YOUR HOME HOLIDAYS
These and many other services are available to all elderly folk who need them.
Why not find out about them ?
Call, write or 'phone—Miss Margaret Sharp, Public Health Department,
Town Hall Extension, Upper Montagu Street, Marylebone Road, W.l. (WELbeck
7766). If you cannot enquire yourself, ask a friend or neighbour to do so for you.
Issued by the St. Marylebone Borough Council and the St. Marylebone
Old People's Welfare Association.
That such a leaflet could solve all the problems of old people or satisfy their needs was not to be
expected but, nevertheless, the many enquiries which followed the distribution showed that the information
had been welcomed by many old people and, no doubt, many others were comforted in the
knowledge that, if the need arose, they knew where to apply for assistance or advice.
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 of the work carried out during
1954 :—
Visiting.—The problem of "ascertainment"—of hearing about lonely Old People before they are
in actual trouble—is always with us. The Association hopes to solve it progressively by a further
development of the liaison between our service of Friendly Visitors and the parochial work of
the clergy of all denominations. During 1954 two more churches adopted the plan successfully
initiated some years ago in the combined parishes of All Souls, Langham Place and St. Peter's,
Vere Street. The new ones are Christchurch, Shroton Street, and the Presbyterian Church,
George Street, through its Good Samaritan League of the City Temple. Each has now appointed
a Liaison Officer between its own group of Visitors and our own service. These officers attend our
monthly Visitors' Meetings, at which problems are discussed and news and views exchanged.
Meals on Wheels.—One outstanding feature of 1954 was the removal of two longstanding anxieties
over the Meals on Wheels. The useful life of our van came to its anticipated end in August; but
instead of the expected worry over financing the purchase of a new one the emergency found us
with the necessary funds in hand. The money came partly from our Flag Day in 1953, but chiefly
from a munificent donation of £700 from the Mayor's Local Charities Fund, from the allocation
made to St. Marylebone in the final distribution of the Lord Mayor's Air Raid Distress Fund.
The new Austin van and its equipment are paid for, and we still have a balance in the Post Office
Savings Bank. The van is giving excellent service and our petrol bill has been halved.
The second anxiety was to find an alternative source of supply of the meals both for this Service
and for the W.V.S. Luncheon Club when the L.C.C. Civic Restaurants closed in the autumn.
In the end, with the kind permission of Messrs. Spencer Turner and Boldero Ltd. of Lisson Grove,
we were able to make the necessary arrangements with Messrs. Factory Restaurants Ltd., who
manage their Works Canteen. They have worked admirably. The meals are excellent in quantity,
quality and variety. It has even been possible to supply kosher food. The price remains the same,
i.e. l/6d., of which the Old People pay lOd. The L.C.C. has approved the new plan, and continues
its subsidy of 8d. per meal. St. Marylebone is fortunate in its W.V.S. in many fields ; but in none