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The Council itself plays a complementary role, having established a day/work centre at Etchingham
Park, Finchley, N.3. The maximum number that can be accommodated in the day centre is 15 members;
many of those who attend do not do so every day for various reasons. Some attend every day, others
as little as one or two days per week, and this arrangement enables the benefit of attendance being
spread over a larger number of persons; despite this there was a long waiting list at the end of the
year. Many of those attending have some additional disability, other than infirmity associated with old
age and the demands on the staff are constant and varied; nevertheless the staff cope with these
demands with ability and an understanding of individual needs necessary in the Welfare Services.
Although the space allocated for use as a work centre can accommodate 40 persons, part of this
room is utilized for "socializing" between workers and members of the day centre and the number of
workers is reduced accordingly; however, to satisfy the wishes of some workers and to complete
work operations, both morning and afternoon sessions are operated. The source of employment is
constantly under review and effective supervision of workers is essential to ensure the proper
standard of work being returned to the employers.
It is intended to extend the day centre principle whenever space and opportunity permits, and in
fact, early ne xt year, the Health Clinic in Claremont Road will afford day care for some 10 persons
on two days per week.
A combined meals kitchens and old people's centre is now established at Brookhill Road, East
Barnet, with the co-operation of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and the East Barnet Old People's
Welfare Association. This centre is housed in a converted building, previously occupied by the former
East Barnet Urban District Council library.
The meals-on-wheels service provided by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service throughout the
Borough, plays a vital part in maintaining the health of elderly people and enabling them to
remain in the security and comfort of their own home. 48,620 meals were delivered during the year.
Not all parts of the Borough receive a 5 day service, but this is being extended as and when
manpower and other resources allow. The Council subsidises the cost of the meals supplied.
The contribution by luncheon clubs operated by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, Old
People's Welfare and other Associations, plays no less an important and supportive role to old
people. Through this source, a total of 9,651 meeds were served in five different parts of the
Borough, on one, two or three days per week.
Notwithstanding the services outlined above, with an elderly population of 43,760, there is an
increasing demand for a service to the community to be based on a framework of affluence, rather
than subsistence, and therefore, a hard look at priorities must continually take place in view of the
increasingly high cost of providing institutional care, whether within a hospital or a local authority
setting.
The Blind, Deaf or persons with a substantial physical handicap
The Council has a duty to promote the welfare of all persons who are blind, deaf, or otherwise
substantially or permanently handicapped by illness, injury or congenital deformity. In all these
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