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The service is still in great demand, and 3,614 treatments were given by the five chiropodists. New
applications receive initial treatment and are then placed on a register for periodic visits. In addition, 263
treatments were given to the housebound, and much credit is due to the Kilburn chiropodist who carries out
this work.
The standard charge for the service is 4/- if one foot is treated, or 8/- for treatment of both feet.
The treatment is free to old people in receipt of national assistance and those whose weekly income does
not exceed £5 per week for a single person or £8 per week for a married couple. One-half of the standard
charge is made to all other old people in receipt of retirement pensions, but if they feel they cannot
afford to pay, they may apply for the charge to be reduced or waived.
The Association still pays for treatments which cost £1,511 in the financial year ending 31st March,
1963. A grant of £1,411 is expected from the Middlesex County Council.
On the recommendation of health visitors, free coal was supplied to old people who could not
afford it.
The Willesden Division of the British Red Cross Society, Women's Voluntary Service, religious and
other organisations in the area run clubs for the old folk, arrange outings and their members visit them in
their own homes.
The meals on wheels service, organised by the Women's Voluntary Service, is one of the most
important services for old people. The Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee took over the cooking
of meals from the W.V.S. in November, 1961, when the Kensal Rise Senior Club, with its spacious and
well-equipped kitchen was opened. 11,989 meals were prepared and delivered, compared with 11,346 in
1961. Only two meals a week are supplied to each person; the aim is to give a hot meal to old people
five days a week in all parts of the borough. 72 frozen dinners were delivered at Christmas and 140 of
the old people had money or a parcel for Christmas.
Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee
The Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee was formed in April, 1958. The Committee has
a membership of 19, ten representing the Willesden Borough Council, two the Middlesex County Council,
and seven representing Willesden organisations concerned with the welfare of old people. A full-time Welfare
Organiser, a Deputy and an assistant work together with statutory bodies and voluntary associations and
organise services for the aged.
The two centres operated by the Committee had their first full years working and have proved
a great success.
The Willesden Green Senior Club was opened to old people in August, 1961. It was formerly a
health clinic and the extensive adaptations, planned and carried out by the Council, cost some £8,000. The
Kensal Rise Senior Club was opened in September, 1961. The building was designed by the Council and
built by private contractors. It cost the Council £18,000. The Clubs are open every day except Sunday,
from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The 500 members of each club pay 1/- a year and the amenities include rooms
for billiards, television, hobbies, reading and spacious main club rooms for meals, whist drives and concerts.
Light refreshments are available at certain hours during the day. The legal ownership of the buildings
remains with the Council, the management being in the hands of the Old People's Welfare Committee.
One of the important services which the Committee organise is the assisted holiday scheme for
old people to go for a fortnight to the seaside during the summer months at a cost of £2 per week (including
fare). Accommodation and travel to holiday homes or private guest houses is arranged with the choice
of the most popular resorts. 404 old people had holidays from June to September, including a number who
received assistance from the Women's Holiday Fund. A holiday for several lonely old people was also
arranged at the holiday homes at Christmas.
The six luncheon clubs operating in the Borough at Granville Road Community Centre, Harley
Road Gospel Hall, St. Michael's Church Hall, Knatchbull Road, Neasden Methodist Church Hall,
Neasden Lane, and the Willesden Green and Kensal Rise Senior Clubs all had a successful year's work during
1962. By arrangement with the Middlesex County Council, the meals are cooked at a school meals centre
and delivered by transport provided by the Committee to the clubs in insulated containers. The meal,
including sweet, costs the old people 1/3d and 30,218 were served during the year. The old people enjoy
a good hot, well-cooked meal and the opportunity of meeting friends. Investigations were carried out during
the year into the establishment of further lunch clubs to serve those areas of the Borough not at present
adequately covered.
The Meals on Wheels service continued to be operated, in conjunction with the Women's Voluntary
Service, from the kitchen at the Kensal Rise Senior Club. To meet demands on the service, it became
necessary to introduce a third van into commission in 1962, and this was made available by the Borough
Council. During 1962, 11,236 meals were delivered to housebound old people at a charge of 1/3d per meal
to the recipient.
For those who can get out there are many clubs where they can find companionship. To assist
some of these clubs and attract more members the Committee arranged for professional entertainers to visit
14 of them one afternoon each month during the winter. This service is greatly appreciated by the members,
and supplements the summer entertainment in the parks.
After Harvest Thanksgiving, gifts of food were received from some schools and churches, in
particular from the Wykeham Junior School. Perishable items were distributed immediately, but a quantity
of dry goods were kept back and were distributed from time to time when help was needed quickly. 101
parcels of produce were distributed by the Committee and 33 by private donor.