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22
Women's Voluntary Service.
The County Organiser has kindly furnished the following
information :—
" Meals on Wheels."
" This service continues to meet a very real need in the district
and 552 meals are served each month. The mileage covered each
week is 75. The cost of the meal still remains at a 1/- but W.V.S.
do not at present, have to pay for gas, or the cleaning of the kitchen.
A free dinner of Turkey and Christmas Pudding was sent out
over Christmas. The meals are delivered in Orpington, Petts
Wood, Chelsfield, St. Mary Cray, Cudham, Knockholt and
Farnborough, three days a week.
The drivers and mates take a personal interest in the old
people, and twice this year an old person's life has been saved by
our W.V.S. member calling just in time with a meal—one from
being badly burnt, and the other from gas poisoning.
General Welfare Work.
Members visit lonely old people, do shopping for them, etc.
A considerable amount of escort work by car has been done
this year, taking old people to visit relatives in hospitals, and—at
the request of the Almoners—taking them for treatment or to
Convalescent Homes, when an ambulance is not warranted. In
all, during the year, 126 escorts by car with old people—the cost
of petrol only is charged.
Darby and Joan Clubs.
Orpington run two Darby and Joan Clubs, one at Farnborough
and the other at St. Mary Cray, and the membership of each is just
over the fifty mark."
Orpington and District Old People's Welfare Committee.
The Honorary Secretary has kindly furnished the following
report:—
" The Orpington and District Old People's Welfare Committee
maintained its usual activities throughout the year. In addition to
providing a means of liaison between the numerous Old People's
Clubs in the district, the Committee, through its visiting representatives,
relieves many cases of genuine distress among the aged poor,
from funds generously placed at its disposal.
Close working arrangements were established, through the
good offices of the County Medical Officer of Health, with the
Health Visitors of the district, two of whom have accepted permanent
membership of the Committee."