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SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
Luncheon Centres
The nine luncheon centres which have been functioning in
the Borough for some years have continued to provide mid-day
meals for the elderly. These centres were listed in my Annual
Report for 1968, and showed no change during the year although
due to the pending demolition of Laurie Hall, arrangements had
been made for the luncheon cantre held there to be transferred
to St. Edward’s Parish Hall in Church Lane, Romford at the end
of the year. The total number of lunches served during the year
from the nine centres was 199,540, an average of 3837 per week.
This was a slight increase on the figures for 1968 when a total
of 197,371 meals were provided.
Meals-on-Wheels
30,492 meals were served to old people in their own homes
by the “Meals-on-Wheels Service” averaging 582 per week. This
again showed an increase over 1968 when the total number of
meals served was 28,192. The meals are provided from two
sources — the Marley Kitchen and St. George’s Hospital — and
the actual distribution is undertaken by voluntary workers from
the W.R.V.S. mainly in the Romford area and the Havering Old
People’s Welfare Association in the remainder of the Borough.
Some changes took place in the administration of the service
during the year, as the arrangement of routes, and visiting of
those recommended to ascertain need, etc., which had previously
been carried out by voluntary organisations themselves was
transferred to the staff of the Health and Welfare Department.
More than half of those receiving meals have them three times a
week, whilst the remainder have five meals a fortnight i.e. three
meals one week and two the next.
Day Centres
The Council have one day centre for the elderly at Mawney
Road, Romford. This is a purpose-built centre where the elderly
can meet for social events such as whist drives, bingo, etc. or
at other times of the day for a quiet read, chat or a cup of tea, etc.
At Hornchurch the Havering Old People’s Welfare Association's
Day Centre “H.O.P.W.A. House”, a purpose-built
centre providing accommodation for a large number of social
activities, is used by a number of elderly people from a wide
of the Borough. Transport is provided to enable handicapped
people to get to the Centre and the Association have their own
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