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7
King George VI Social Service Scheme.—The Association was allowed the use of a committee
room at the Town Hall for four evenings in the spring of 1960 for a course on old people's welfare
arranged under the auspices of this Scheme. We were grateful to Miss E. M. Andrews, Tutor for
the Scheme, who most ably steered this instructive and helpful course and secured some fine
speakers. Nearly 30 students attended, mainly people engaged in visiting old people.
Miss Blaylock of the Fourth Feathers Club attended a specialised course under the Scheme.
Publicity.—Local newspapers have continued to give useful publicity during the year, as a result
of which several old people hitherto unknown to the office have become acquainted with us.
The form for the leaflets to be distributed to new pensioners by the Ministry of Pensions and
National Insurance in order to let them know the availability of local services, was finally agreed
by all Old People's Welfare Associations in London and the leaflets were expected to go into
distribution early in 1961.
The last Report referred to the unwillingness of the Public Relations Department of the General
Post Office to allow the name and address of the Association to be added to the list of organisations
displayed in local post offices. It is satisfactory to report that as the result of representations this
situation was rectified during 1960.
' Meals-on-Wheels.'—This service has been grant-aided as before, not only by the London County
Council, their contribution for each meal being made through the Borough Council and therefore
not appearing in the Association's accounts, but also by the Borough grant direct to the
Association.
In November the cost of the meal was increased from 1s. 8d. to 1s. 10d., a penny extra on each
meal being granted by the L.C.C. and an additional penny being charged to each old person. The
improvement in the variety of the meals has made the change a beneficial one.
It had been increasingly felt that the system of delivery of meals was no longer completely
satisfactory and, after prolonged consideration of ways and means and of schemes elsewhere, the
Executive decided in November to purchase from the General Electric Company two electrically
heated food containers and to adapt the existing van for their use, the cost to be defrayed by the
Borough Council.
The W.V.S. helpers distributed 6,747 meals, an increase on the previous year's figure (6,101).
Thanks to wonderful team work this service is quite invaluable for people who could not possibly
prepare a hot meal for themselves.
The van is garaged and serviced by the Borough Council and the very helpful driver is a Council
employee.
Luncheon Club.—This service also shows an increase in meals supplied, 6,431 against 6,096
the previous year. The Club has continued to meet in most convenient premises kindly lent at a
modest rental by the Church Army. At a time of high prices these meals are more than ever proving
a great benefit and we should like to express our warmest thanks to Mrs. Lush and all W.V.S.
helpers for the devoted and efficient working of these two important services.
Chiropody.—To our great regret Mrs. E. Baird, who had worked with the chiropody services since
they.started in Marylebone, resigned to work nearer home. At her final session Mrs. Baird was
presented by Mrs. Fewster with a travelling clock as a token of the Association's appreciation of
her work.
Miss Curran and Miss Lerner, both of whom have also rendered most valuable service as
chiropodists, the former since 1952 the latter since 1953, were now joined by Miss I. Meares. Miss
Curran and Miss Meares carried on the domiciliary work, Miss Lerner the useful weekly session of
Clinic 2, all three working on Tuesdays at the Town Hall where Clinic 1 continues to benefit by
the loan of L.C.C. rooms for its work.
For some time it had been an advantage to be able to send a few old ladies for treatment to the
L.C.C. Welfare Centre in Lisson Grove, and during the year under review a fairly large number of
patients were transferred there, consequently waiting lists have been kept low. 2,383 treatments
were given, a slight increase.
Throughout the year Miss Cotsford (B.R.C.S.) has continued her regular and most essential
work as honorary appointments clerk, and we are also indebted to Miss Hoogendoorn for doing
similar work at Clinic 2, where the hospitality of All Souls' Club-house, Greenwell Street, W.l,
enabled us to look after eight or nine patients each Monday morning.