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aggravated by a paucity of other staff and an acute staffing problem therefore arose.
To ease the situation, deep frozen pre-prepared food was introduced for use in conjunction with
conventional food stuffs. A wide variety of food permitted a 6 weeks' cycle of main meals and the
techniques of cooking being simple to follow, cooking and serving time was reduced. The food was
found to be attractive and with regard to the nutritional aspect, experiments by other Authorities
have shown that it is possible to provide an acceptable, adequate, balanced, wholesome and
palatable diet using unqualified staff.
This pilot scheme will be watched with interest with a view to an extension of the system
should the need arise.
Homeless Families
The Council has a responsibility to provide temporary accommodation for persons who, due to
unforeseen circumstances, are in urgent need. It has extended this responsibility to provide
accommodation for homeless families, accepting the principle of keeping the family together as a
unit whatever the circumstances.
Redhill Lodge, Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware, accommodates 25 families, and Kelvedon, 27
Woodside Avenue, Finchley, N.12 accommodates 11 families. The number of persons resident in
these units at the end of the year was:-
Males (aged 16 and over) 28
Females (aged 16 and over) 35
Children (aged 5 to 15) 39
Children (aged under 5) 55
In addition there is a small reception unit at Redhill House.
Valuable work is carried out by the staff of the Department and where appropriate the assistance
of other Council Officers, and voluntary bodies is obtained: all work in harmony to set
families on a new road to personal independence.
During the year, 42 families totalling 151 persons were admitted and 44 families, totalling
175 persons, discharged.
The Elderly
Social Welfare Officers, together with other Officers of the Department and the Council and
voluntary bodies, advise on the wide range of activities and services available. It is a notable
feature of the community spirit of the residents of this Borough, that many organisations interest
themselves, and give active help and support to elderly persons, and in appropriate cases the
Council acknowledges this work by giving financial support. Clubs, day centres, work centres,
and a wide range of social, educational and occupational opportunities are available, all contributing
a part towards the wellbeing of elderly persons.
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