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Home Chiropody.—617 treatments were given, 54 new patients being added to our lists. There
was usually a small waiting list, newcomers occasionally having to wait several months for an
appointment. For the less infirm there is certain interchange between attendance at Clinics and
treatment at home, as some can get to the Clinics in summer only. Thanks are due to Miss M. Lewis
for managing the appointments for this service, an exacting task complicated by our wish to give
the individual care and treatment at varying intervals and to use the services of the Chiropodists
with the least possible waste of time, though without the help of any transport. The Association
is grateful to the Chiropodists who add much personal interest and kindness to their professional
care of the old people.
Holidays.—The Association was happy to make holiday arrangements for a greater number of
people than in previous years. The group holidays in the ' all-in ' scheme arranged through Hotel
Bookings & Information, Ltd., at Brighton were again most successful. 93 elderly people enjoyed
a comfortable week at Brighton, each contributing £1 17s. 6d., to cover board, transport and
entertainments. The remainder of the cost totalling £4 18s. 6d. a head was met from the higher
grant from the Borough Council. Gratitude is expressed to the Soroptimist Club of Mayfair which
once again ' adopted ' an elderly lady for her holiday, a particularly happy idea. The Fourth
Feathers Club and the Barrow Hill Club were both helped with their own holiday schemes, the
former with a grant of £34, the latter with £10.
Apart from cases referred to other organisations, individual arrangements were made for eleven
people for whom the group holiday was for some reason unsuitable. Some of these cases were sent
for a fortnight to the Church Army short stay home at Woking, others to appropriate seaside
places; one was assisted with fares to visit friends.
By the kindness of the Caravan Service, Ltd., Thayer Street, W.l, an elderly couple from
Marylebone enjoyed the free use of a caravan at Folkestone for a week, a second week's holiday being
added by the generosity of the Mayor of that town.
Social Visiting.—Miss Sharp and Mrs. Cowan have continued to look after the monthly meetings
of the Visitors Committee. In addition to taking a helpful interest in the problems of those old
people, mostly housebound, who are regularly visited, the Visitors are often able to report special
needs that can be met through different channels and difficult problems can be discussed in Committee.
Six Churches as well as other bodies are represented on the Committee and efforts were made to
keep in touch with all organised groups and others engaged in visiting in order to supplement
where necessary.
Relief.—Through the public-spirited energy of students connected with Hinde Street Methodist
Church, home decoration of old people's rooms has continued. This spare-time service was extremely
useful in five homes and the young people themselves were obviously much enjoyed. The Association
supplied equipment and materials and in some instances the National Assistance Board was able
to refund the cost of materials.
Gifts of a number of coal tickets were distributed by Miss Sharp and a bag of coal from the
Association's small store several times prevented an uncomfortable emergency.
Other items of relief included payment for several wireless licences, lowering of meters or changing
the position of gas taps, small loans or gifts in a crisis, cleaning of clothes before a holiday, useful
articles such as keys and buckets, transport to visit relatives in hospital, repairs for wireless sets,
tailor's alterations, repair of windows, chimney sweeping.
Clubs.—Regular reports about Club activities, given to the Executive, reflected another successful
year. While it is pleasant to hear of much enjoyment given by summer outings and Christmas
parties, it is probably the regular gathering with its companionship and good cheer which makes
the greatest difference to an elderly person living alone but reasonably fit and active.
The Fourth Feathers Club works closely with the Youth Club of the same name. Among the
kindnesses of youth to age were a gramophone and records for the use of the elderly members,
presented after a special fund-raising dance.
The possibility of starting a workshop for the elderly has again been discussed in the Executive
and enquiries, so far unavailing, made about possible premises.
An all-day centre for the elderly, with special provision for infirm or handicapped old persons,
either too frail for membership of an ordinary club or needing special transport might well be
considered in Marylebone, not only for the benefit of the elderly folk themselves but for the occasional
relief of those relatives constantly looking after them,