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Publicity.—The leaflets distributed to new pensioners by the Ministry of Pensions and National
Insurance, to make known the whereabouts of local services for the old, started going out early in
1961 in all Boroughs. Very few new pensioners in Marylebone sent the attached cards asking for
information or a call, but it is hoped that others may have kept the cards for future reference.
The Association printed small leaflets giving an outline of all the services and Clubs, and these
have proved very useful.
Before Christmas the Chairman sent a letter to three local papers to suggest that anyone wishing
to give Christmas presents to elderly people living in St. Marylebone might send them to the
Association for distribution to suitable homes.
The Borough Council kindly agreed to place a name plate for the Association outside the entrance
used for the office, and that the Association's name should be entered in the telephone directory
against the Town Hall's number.
Housing and Other Services.—In March a welcome joint circular from the Ministry of Housing
and Local Government and the Ministry of Health referred to provisions for the well-being of old
people, urging local authorities to co-operate as closely as possible with voluntary organisations
concerned with the varying needs of old people. A preliminary consultation was consequently held
in May between representatives of the Borough Council Housing (Development) Sub-Committee
and representatives of the Association, who laid special emphasis on the need in St. Marylebone for
more housing, especially flatlets, for the elderly. This led to an informal survey being undertaken
by the Association to examine the extent of the problem. Information was collected from responsible
persons concerning 130 old people known to be in urgent need of housing accommodation. The
cases were classified in four categories, whether in accommodation unsuitable for reasons of infirmity,
or for financial reasons, those with bad housing conditions, and fourthly, cases of eviction, expiration
of lease, loss of home due to the cessation of employment such as caretaking. This fourth category
was the largest. The analysis did not take into consideration people at present unsatisfactorily
housed who would, however, not wish to move, nor others who had been obliged to leave the district
but still wished to live here. The Association's representatives, while considering housing needs had
priority, hoped for further consultation to discuss possibilities of expanding the work for old people
in other channels.
'Meals on Wheels' —This service has been grant-aided as in previous years. The Borough also
contributed £125 towards the cost of the new electrically heated food containers whose introduction
has meant an increase in the number of meals distributed and a vast improvement in the temperature
of the dishes reaching the old people. A total of 7,003 meals, 256 more than in the previous year,
were taken round by the W.V.S. helpers, whose steady work under the direction of Mrs. Lush
ensures that this beneficial service works smoothly and happily. The van, garaged and serviced
by the Borough Council, has been driven by two helpful Council employees.
With only one van it is not possible to provide any person with hot meals more than twice a week,
or three times in the more urgent cases. Although these meals are a very great blessing to many old
folk who cannot themselves prepare an adequate hot meal, there is a strong case for delivery five
times a week as an early objective in St. Marylebone, particularly as there is no service of invalid
meals in the Borough.
The Luncheon Club.—This cheerful place has been greatly improved in appearance by fresh paint
without and within. The Association gladly met the expense of the internal decoration and part
of the external painting. A total of 5,806 meals were served and as usual the helpers provided
a special Christmas dinner. The Association is deeply grateful to Mrs. Lush and all W.V.S. helpers
for their wonderful work in both these services, and to the Church Army who let these most convenient
premises at 134, Seymour Place, for a nominal sum. The meals have been cooked in the
canteen of Messrs. Spencer, Turner and Boldero for several years past.
Chiropody.—This was the first complete year with no charge being made for treatment of old
people. The London County Council grant covered all expenses of the Clinics at the Town Hall
and at All Souls' Club-house, Greenwell Street, also for the Home Chiropody service. Miss
Cotsford (B.R.C.S.), honorary appointments clerk with Clinic 1 since its beginning, contributed
greatly to the smooth running of appointments, as did Miss Hoogendoorn at Clinic 2. Miss Curran,
Miss Lerner and Miss Meares have carried on their efficient and kindly professional care of the old
people. A total of 2,282 treatments were given at Clinic 1 and 376 at Clinic 2. The Clinic at the
Lisson Grove L.C.C. Health Centre increased the number of their sessions for old people.
Home Chiropody.—645 treatments were given, an increase of 28 over the previous year. Thirty-two
new patients were taken on, but the waiting list lengthened from 7 at the beginning of the year to
22 at the end. With the present service there seemed no likelihood of reducing this effectively