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BECKENHAM OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE SERVICES
Since 1957 a section in this report has been reserved for a description
of the various services available for elderly persons. These can be
summarised as :—
1. Meals.
2. Clubs.
3. Chiropody.
4. Outing and holidays.
5. Personal service.
6. Visiting.
7. Grants (cash or goods).
8. Parties and entertainment.
9. Emergency help.
10. Information handbook.
Meals
These are cooked at two centres and in insulated containers are
delivered by two special vans to the homes of those unable to cook for
themselves. 30/40 meals are provided three times a week in West
Wickham, but for the larger area of the rest of Beckenham about 46
meals can only be provided twice a week. In the smaller area it is also
possible to provide a Luncheon Club once a week and this meets
between 9.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. To extend these services more volunteers
are needed as cooks.
The Borough Council provided a second equipped meals van
during the summer and with additional volunteers to cook and to drive
it will be possible to increase the Beckenham service to three days a
week. Maintenance and repair of vehicles, estimated at £75-£ 100 per
annum per vehicle, is carried out by the Borough Council who also
make an annual contribution of £52 per annum, helping voluntary
contributions, to subsidise the cost of meals which are provided at a
very small charge, ranging from a 1s. to 1s. 6d.
Clubs
The Borough Council pays grants in respect of the annual rents
of the following clubs which meet weekly at various premises in the
borough :—
Coney Hall over 60's
(Thursday afternoons)
West Wickham over 60's
(Monday afternoons)
Darby and Joan
(Tuesday afternoons)
Darby and Joan
(Thursday afternoons)
Darby and Joan
(Tuesday afternoons)
Veterans' Club
(Thursday afternoons)
Civil Defence " C " Centre, Croydon Road.
(formerly Assembly Hall).
Lecture Hall, Sussex Road.
West Beckenham Hall, Sidney Road.
West Beckenham Hall, Sidney Road.
Azelia Hall, Croydon Road.
Azelia Hall, Croydon Road.
These clubs enable pensioners to lead a happy communal life once
a week and the activities of the clubs are directed by its own members
committees assisted by a W.V.S. Leader and W.V.S. Secretary.
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