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has continued to function to capacity throughout the year, providing
for 32 elderly people (16 at each morning and afternoon
session ) who undertake various forms of light work carried out
under contract for various firms, and two Day Centres for the
Elderly — one purpose built by the former Romford Borough
Council and maintained by this Department and the second
HOPWA House, also incorporating one of the Luncheon Centres,
having been specially built by the Hornchurch Old Peoples
Welfare Association, and for which the Council provide financial
assistance with the running expenses.

The opening of the Grange considerably reduced the waiting
list of those waiting admission to a Home but the list has since
grown again.
During the year residents'House Committees were established
at Hillside and Ravenscourt, and a very successful autumn bazaar
was held at the Manor. A series of meetings with all the staff at
"The Willows" was held with a view to introducing changes to
improve the amenities of the Home, but these were postponed
owing to extensive redecorations of the bedrooms and day rooms.
47 elderly people spent a few weeks at the Homesduring the
summer whilst their relations or friends with whom they normally
reside were on holiday. In addition, several of the elderly, really
in need of residential accommodation but apprehensive of accepting
a vacancy when it arose - possibly still thinking in Workhouse
terms — were encouraged to visit the Homes spending a few hours
looking round, or if they wished, staying for a few days. In this
way many who were previously hesitant, gladly applied to stay.
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