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The success of the meals services from their earliest days is very largely due to Mrs. Lush, to
whom the Association cannot be sufficiently grateful for the generosity with which she has given
her time and wonderful organising ability.
Chiropody.—In another successful year the same three Chiropodists in Clinic 1, in the Town
Hall, carried out 2,439 treatments (32 more than the previous year), Miss Cotsford (B.R.C.S.)
continuing her valuable help as Appointments Clerk.
At Clinic 2, held at All Souls' Church Club-house, by the kind hospitality of the Church, 391
treatments were given. Miss Lerner, the Chriopodist in charge, was grateful for the help of Mr.
Vincent with the appointments, after Miss Hoogendoorn had been obliged for health reasons to
give up helping.
The L.C.C. Health Centre 2, at Lisson Grove, undertook 1,506 treatments for elderly women
in 1963, 348 more than the previous year. It is gratifying to note how much higher this makes
the total of elderly people now given this important help.
Home Chiropody.—710 treatments were given, 73 more than in 1962, 49 new patients being
visited. A waiting list of 24 at the end of the year was 8 more than at the beginning. This service
is a very great comfort to housebound people in poor health and it is much regretted that so many
are unavoidably kept waiting before treatment can start. A letter from a daughter of an old lady
who died said: 'My sister and I would like to say how much we appreciated this chiropody treatment
which we had been unable to arrange otherwise. We should be grateful if you would pass on our
thanks to Miss Curran. Quite apart from the chiropody, she was a most welcome visitor and my
mother loved to see her coming in. She is such a bright and cheerful person that I'm sure most
of the old people must get great pleasure from her visits as my mother did.'
Miss Reeves also did valuable work throughout the year, and later in the year, when it was
learnt that the L.C.C. grant would be increased by £40 a year, Miss Lerner kindly undertook to visit
in their homes some patients in the area near Clinic 2.
Holidays.—The main assisted group holidays were again at Brighton and, as in previous years,
were successfully arranged through Rutland Tours Ltd. One hundred and four people enjoyed a
holiday in April-May, most of them for one week, though a few were helped to stay for a second
week. In addition a little party of five had a similar week at Brighton in October. Twenty-five
were enjoying these assisted holidays for the first time. The contribution from participants was
again limited to £1 17s. 6d. a week, and several old people sponsored by All Souls' Church even
had this amount met by the Church.
Miss Sharp accompanied the parties on the coach drive to Brighton, and supervised the settling-in
process, always a big contribution to the smooth running of the scheme.
Every effort was made to meet special requirements for some who were unable to take part in
the group holiday and 17 individual holidays were arranged or assisted. Five went to Woking
for a fortnight's holiday at the Church Army short-stay home. The cost of each holiday was
£9 14s. 0d., plus transport : four contributed £3 15s. 0d., one lady, by her own wish, contributing
more. Two were assisted to go to a guest house at Cliftonville and one to Margate; three were
helped financially to visit relatives and a couple were granted £10 towards a holiday at Ramsgate
arranged for handicapped people.
A grant of £34 was made to the Fourth Feathers Club towards the transport for their own holiday
scheme.
Social Visiting.—It is not easy to give a comprehensive picture of the number of people visited
regularly in St. Marylebone, as the groups of visitors and individuals concerned are so numerous,
but it is clear that there is a growing interest in this very important service, particularly among
young people, e.g., 10 young people of the Parish Church visit the elderly and some of the students
who have carried out decorating jobs continue to give pleasure by visiting the homes afterwards.
The Visitors' Committee (30 to 45) fluctuated in numbers, largely owing to the 'turnover' in
students. Some of the regular Visitors are never able to come to meetings but keep closely in
touch ; others represent groups, the largest of which is that connected with All Souls' Church.
The monthly meetings with Miss Sharp and Mrs. Cowan continue to provide an opportunity to
report problems and keep in touch with developments.
Decorating, etc.—Miss Pilkington's group of workers from Hinde Street Methodist Church were
the first in the field and have continued their admirable work of decorating old people's rooms.
Another Hinde Street group appeared later, under Mr. Andrews, one from St. Mary's Hospital
and one from University College; further help has come from St. John's Wood Church Voluntary
Service Group under Miss Hurst, the U.N. International Service, and Mr. A. Steen on behalf of
youth clubs.