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appreciation. 32 had never been on a holiday with the Association before, and about that number
belonged to no clubs.
Two ladies had a fortnight's holiday in the care of the Church Army Short-stay home at Woking,
and eight other people who did not fit into a group holiday were assisted with individual plans,
some being helped with a grant towards the fare to visit relatives. The Association again made a
contribution to the Barrow Hill Club's holiday scheme.
Social Visiting.—Ten meetings were held for the Visitors' Committee, which is looked after by
Miss Sharp and Mrs. Cowan. Although some of the Visitors can seldom attend, the meetings do
give a valuable opportunity to hear reports, keep in touch and discuss problems which have arisen
in the course of visiting. Much useful information from the Visitors is helpful to the Health
Inspectors, Miss M. Sharp and Miss B. Wilson, in their professional work among the elderly. The
Association is exceedingly fortunate in its excellent relations with Miss Sharp and Miss Wilson, as
indeed with the Public Health Department whose co-operation and support continue to be of
immense encouragement.
Innumerable kindnesses are shown by Visitors who are often able to establish genuine friendship
and not only recognise signs where professional help should be called, but do many little services
for housebound folk. All Souls' Church Visitors provided a rota of nursing care, night and day, for
an elderly lady waiting to go into hospital. In another such case one of the Visitors stayed up all
night. Several new Visitors have been welcomed ; care is taken in their guidance and in matching
the Visitor to the person to be visited. Nine churches now co-operate in this service.
Clubs.—Club reports to the Executive told of another year of beneficial and steady work. The
regular meetings, the big event of the week for so many, are highlighted at Christmastime by special
festivities and in the summer by outings. More talks and advice on Home Safety—sometimes
with a film—were given by the Public Health Department.
There are still nine Clubs, and also the one operated by W.V.S. in Luxborough Lodge. As yet
we have no club open all day or offering special facilities for the really infirm.
Relief.—The decoration of old people's rooms has been usefully extended. Two main groups
have been active, one from the Methodist Students' Society of London University, another, nondenominational,
organised by Miss Pilkington. In addition to the great benefit of having their
rooms made bright and clean, the old people enjoy the presence of cheerful young workers and are
often visited by them afterwards. Some sixteen homes were re-decorated, in some cases one room
only, others larger. The workers will tackle anything. It may be simple enough when the occupant
and her things can be moved into another room while the painting is going on, but if she has to
remain sitting in the middle whilst enthusiastic young people paint and hang wallpaper and lay
linoleum among all the furniture it certainly tests everyone's good humour and powers of
organisation. In several instances the National Assistance Board refunded the money spent on
paint, wallpaper, etc., and the Association is grateful for the Board's prompt and sympathetic
co-operation.
As in previous years most other sums spent on relief were modest but they met pressing needs
outside the scope of the statutory authorities. Transport for a lady to visit her husband in hospital
during his last weeks is one example of help given : help or guidance about a worrying bill can bring
relief of mind, while an extra door key to enable helpers to enter a home is a simple but important
contribution: ferrules for walking sticks and small items of household equipment are provided
frequently. The Gas and Electricity Boards have again been helpful in arranging the lowering
of meters for the greater safety of elderly people and also in advising in the case of difficulties with
bills.
Report from Borough Librarian on Library Service to Housebound Readers.
The delivery of books to the housebound, instituted by the Public Libraries Committee in 1957,
has been carried out regularly by library staff, mainly to cases recommended by the Home Help
Service. Twenty-five readers are now receiving this service and 3,352 books were delivered to them
in 1962.
In a letter of appreciation, one reader wrote ' It means so much to us housebound people—and I
should be very unhappy and lonely without books—my deafness prevents me using the radio.
Miss-, a very pleasant lady, brings me a much better selection of books than I ever chose for
myself when I was able to walk out.'
During the past year, too, St. Marylebone Public Library received a bequest of £20 from a deceased
reader on the ' housebound ' list, ' as an expression of the value of the library and its Circus Road
branch has been to me and my deep appreciation of the courtesy and kindness of its staff '.