London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Beckenham 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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23
BECKENHAM OLD PEOPLE'S WELFARE SERVICES
The various services available for elderly persons can be
summarised as:—
1. Meals.
2 Clubs for recreation
3. Chiropody.
4. Outing and holidays.
5. Personal service.
o. Visiting.
7. Grants (cash or goods).
8. Parties and entertainment.
9. Emergency help.
10. Information handbook.
Meals
These are cooked at two centres. They are delivered in insulated
containers on two special vans to the homes of those who from illness
or infirmity are unable to provide for themselves hot meals.
In West Wickham 30/40 meals are delivered three times a week and
in addition a Luncheon Club meets between 9.30 a.m., and 4 p.m.
once a week.
For the rest of Beckenham 46 meals are delivered twice a week.
The Old People's Welfare Committee hopes to provide a Day
Centre which, unlike the Clubs mentioned later in this report, will be
open every day of the week to provide social and recreational activities
and a Luncheon Club. In addition the kitchen facilities at this centre
may enable a daily delivery of hot meals to be made and so increase
the numbers of homes included in this service.
The Borough Council are helping the Committee with this project,
and in addition, having provided a second equipped meals van in 1961
are helping with the maintenance and repair of the two vehicles at an
estimated total cost of £150-£200 per annum. The Council also make
an annual contribution of £52 to subsidise the cost of meals which are
provided at a charge of 1s. Od. to 1s. 6d. Nevertheless very considerable
voluntary help both financially when appeals are made and actively
by assisting at the Centre and helping with the Meal Service will be
required from the Borough to set up and maintain the Day Centre
which could become the pivot of the service.
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) | Civil Defence "C" Centre, Croydon Road, (formerly Assembly Hall). |
| West Wickham over 60's (Monday afternoons) | Lecture Hall, Sussex Road. |
| Darby and Joan (Tuesday afternoons) | West Beckenham Hall, Sidney Road. |
| Darby and Joan (Thursday afternoons) | West Beckenham Hall, Sidney Road. |
| Darby and Joan (Tuesday afternoons) | Azelia Hall, Croydon Road. |
| Veterans' Club (Thursday afternoons) | Azelia Hall, Croydon Road. |
These clubs enable pensioners to lead a happy communal the 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. The
Veterans Club was a community service project of the Rotary Club
of Beckenham.