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14
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. 16,303 meals were prepared and delivered, compared with 16,529 meals in 1963. 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. 75 frozen dinners were delivered at Christmas and 125 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, 10 representmg 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
orgamse services for the aged.
The two full-time centres operated by the Committee are now in their fourth year and are firmly
established.
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. A garden
layout at the rear of the Club was was completed and opened in 1963. 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 a nominal membership fee of 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 off-peak 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. 450 old people had holidays in April, May, June and September, including a number
who received assistance from the Women's Holiday Fund. A holiday for 12 lonely old people was also
arranged at the holiday homes at Christmas.
The eight luncheon clubs operated 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; Anson Hall, Cricklewood; The Scout Hall, Streatley Road (opened September, 1964), and the Willesden
Green and Kensal Rise Senior Clubs, all had a successful year's work during 1964. 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 l/3d., and 30,093 were served during the year. The old people enjoy a good hot, well-cooked meal
and the opportunity of meeting friends.
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. During 1964, 17,007 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 16 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 Primary School, and St. Helen's Preparatory 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. Close on 100 parcels of produce were distributed by the Committee.
At Christmas 1,340 gifts of 10/- were distributed to the over 70's who were in need. A further 150
names were provided to local concerns and individuals to receive parcels and 540 parcels were distributed
by Luke Old Folks' Fund, in Carlton and Kilburn Wards.
During 1964 "Operation Greenfield" under which housebound old people are taken into the country
for the day, was carried out on three days in May and September when 120 old people were taken by car
and special coach to Maidenhead and Bray, where they were provided with refreshments.
The problems which are brought to the office are varied and numerous and a large number of cases
are referred by hospitals when an old person is about to be sent home. Much visiting and case-work is
carried out and although statistics tell little of this part of the Committee's work it is worth recording that in
1964, 2,124 office interviews were held and 1,155 home visits made.
On the recommendation of the Welfare Organiser a number of wireless sets were supplied to the
bed-ridden by the Wireless for the Bedridden Society, the total number on loan from that source being over
50.
The Welfare Organiser acts as a referee to various charitable organisations and distributes monetary
payments on their behalf.
All the above services except "Operation Greenfield" are financed from a grant of £17,240 which the
Council set aside for the Committee's use in 1964/65. Financial assistance from the Middlesex County Council
towards administration and visiting costs amounted to £2,000.
A Flag Day and House Collection in September raised a net sum of £509 towards the cost of Christmas
gifts and further donations for that purpose totalled £60. Close on £60 was also donated for outings for
the housebound.