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Radio and Television
During the last year we have made several applications for wireless sets to the
Wireless for the Bedridden Society. The sets are supplied with a minimum of delay
and give great satisfaction. The Committee's thanks have been expressed to the
Society.
The Committee would be glad to have suggestions which would lead to their being
able to supply television for housebound elderly people.
Gifts
We have received from Miss H. E. Welham an H.M.V. combined wireless and record
playing equipment together with a large and well-chosen collection of records. This
is now installed in the club room at Station Road, where it has already proved itself
a most valuable acquisition.
The owner of a textile warehouse in the West End sent us a gift of 120 high
quality woollen scarves. These have been distributed among the various organisations
and clubs.
Staff
There have been no changes in the staff. The Organising Secretary and her
assistant continue to perform their duties in a very satisfactory way and to give the
personal service which is so essential for success in any form of social work. The
Extended Chiropody Service has led to a considerable increase in the administrative
work done in the office. This has been handled by Mrs. Eutler in a way which has
satisfied the exacting standards of the County Treasurer's Department.
Conclusion
It should be remembered that, apart from ill-health, loneliness is one of the
worst afflictions which beset certain elderly people and in many cases this particular
trouble is in no way connected with limited material resources. In most walks of
life and among people of all ages the club is a natural and valuable means of social
intercourse. The type of club needed - as already mentioned - should have its own
premises and be open at all reasonable times when a sufficient number of members wish
to use it. Members should be free to come and go as they please and to do what they
feel inclined to do. It is also essential that any suggestion of patronage or charity
in its material sense should be avoided. This is perhaps less easy than it sounds.
Unfortunately only very few of the clubs in this Borough are able to offer the facilities
which are needed to attract a wider and more varied membership. Loneliness is
happily an affliction which yields to treatment and the right sort of club can be a
valuable specific."
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