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The work available is varied and includes the following:—
packing soap, repairing industrial gloves, folding and glueing hospital folders,
assembling and packing ball point pens, circulars and mailing of all kinds,
stapling for printing industry, packing wire binders for catalogues.
Although the work at the Centre has to be subsidised, some 11s. 7d. was recovered
for every £1 paid in wages. This compares with last year's figure of 11s. 5d. The wage
paid to the workers was increased during the year from 1s. to 1s. 3d. an hour. The
plans mentioned in last year's annual report for the erection of a prefabricated
timber building in Ravenor Park to replace a room at the Methodist Church Hall were
rejected by the Minister of Housing and Local Government on the grounds that he
could not allow park land to be used for other purposes. Plans for an alternative site
are therefore being considered. As in the previous year each centre held a Christmas
party—occasions which were much appreciated by the old people.
The Ealing Work Centres were again well represented at the Employment Fellowship
Annual General Meeting. A display stand designed in the Public Health
Department was exhibited and attended by the Organiser of the Borough's Work
Centres. This appeared to be well received and a large number of enquiries were
dealt with.
MEALS ON WHEELS SERVICE
The Meals on Wheels Service in the Borough is supplied jointly by The British
Red Cross Society and the Women's Voluntary Service. During the year the number
of meals distributed was as follows:—
British Red Cross Society 16,200
Women's Voluntary Service 10,264
Total number of meals 26,464
B.R.C.S. W.V.S.
Normal number of meals served per week 315 295
Normal number given 2 meals per week 37 35
Normal number given 3 meals per week 40
Normal number given 4 meals per week 33 —
Normal number given 5 meals per week34 21
This valuable service has continued to be a vital component in the overall care of
elderly persons in their own homes. At least one good meal a day goes a long way
towards preventing the deterioration which owing to their physical or mental disability
follows the failure to cook adequately on their own behalf.
EALING DAY TREATMENT CENTRE
During the past year the Ealing Day Treatment Centre has provided the care and
treatment required to rehabilitate the elderly disabled referred to it. Patients attend
on a daily basis from 9.0 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and those who are unable to make their
own way to the Centre are transported by ambulance. Patients are accepted only on
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