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Much of the work has been done for old people, some of whom were seriously incapacitated by their
feet and benefited greatly by the treatment.
The preventive aspect has not been neglected, and talks illustrated by film strips have been given
at schools. Mothers have been advised on the choice of suitable shoes for their children, and many of
them take considerable care regarding these. Unfortunately, education has so far had little effect on trends
in fashion in adolescent footwear and beyond, and there is every indication that today's young people will
be as much in need of chiropody in the years to come as their parents and grandparents are today.
HOME SAFETY
The Willesden Home Safety Committee, which was formed in November, 1956, has done valuable
work during the year. It is a voluntary committee which has the support of both the Willesden Borough
and Middlesex County Councils. The Borough Council made a further grant of £100 to the committee's
funds in the financial year 1963/64.
The Committee's aim is to reduce the number of accidents which occur in homes in Willesden,
mostly affecting children under five years and people over 65 years of age. Its terms of reference were outlined
in the annual report for 1956.
The Willesden Borough Council and twenty-four local organisations are represented on the Committee,
which is affiliated to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the National Home Safety
Committee. The Committee is also a member of the British Standards Institution and the Consumers' Association
Limited.
Four committee meetings and six meetings of sub-committees were held during the year. Sub-committees
considered a photographic competition, a song competition, and the Willesden Show.
It was agreed that a fourth edition of the Committee's Home Safety Handbook should be published,
and preliminary work commenced. It is hoped that it will be available in June, 1964.
Five thousand leaflets "How to Prevent Home and Everyday Accidents" were provided for the
Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee for insertion in their handbook 'Services Available to Old
People'; and 5,500 leaflets "Safety in the Home" were distributed by the Housing and Estates Manager to
Council tenants. During the week preceding 5th November and at Christmas, posters were displayed on
Council notice boards, in public libraries and in clinics. Literature was also distributed throughout the
Borough.
At the request of the Area Welfare Officer, a special demonstration and lecture were arranged at the
London Electricity Board's Showrooms in Willesden Lane for a group of blind and partially sighted persons.
The theme was "Safety with Ease", and the 60 handicapped people who attended were very appreciative
of the arrangements made.
A display, exhibited at the Willesden Show in September, was very successful. The theme was 'Oil
Heaters' in support of the national campaign on the prevention of oil heater fires. Two very old unsafe
oil heaters were featured against a 'flaming' background. The Chairman and members attended to answer
questions and distribute pamphlets on the prevention of oil heater fires.
A great deal of work was done preparing and arranging a photographic competition related to home
safety. 2,000 entry forms were distributed from libraries, clinics, public offices and at the Willesden Show,
and two firms donated photographic equipment as prizes. Unfortunately there were no entries for the competition.
Preparations for a song competition have continued and this will probably be held at the Willesden
Show in September, 1964.
The Chairman wrote an article on 'Home Safety' which was published in the "West Indian Gazette";
and the Vice-Chairman wrote a children's play which it is hoped will be acted by a school or children's organisation.
A copy of the play was sent to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents who have asked
for a note of reactions to it after its first performance. An article on the Committee's activities by their press
representative was published in 'Safety News'.
Members of the Committee gave six talks to local organisations, and approximately 190 people
attended.
Three members attended the National Home Safety Conference held at the Central Hall, Westminster,
in October; one member attended several meetings of the Area 10 Home Safety Committee, which has
representatives from all Home Safety Committees in Greater London and Middlesex ; and three members
attended the Willesden Borough Council's Civic Forum in February.