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22.
V. SOCIAL WELFiffiE SERVICES
At last the Council's activities will be able officially to include the
visiting of old age pensioners. This most necessary work has previously
had to be done as a side issue by two of our existing staff appointed for
other purposes, and has consequently been a heavy additional load. But now
a regular income around £225 a year has been promised from the funds of the
City of London and East London Dispensary which formerly gave free help to
the sick-poor, and which was closed down as a result of the National Health
Service Act of 1948. The trustees of this fund were so overwhelmingly in
favour of a visitor being appointed, that the Council have agreed to
supplement enough to pay the balance of her wages. As the actual appointment
was in 1957 this will be referred to in next year's report, with further
details of results.
Meanwhile, the various old people's clubs continue at the same rate,
and the enthusiasm of their handicraft work continues. Unfortunately the
"Bell" Club's premises were sold over our heads, and this club has had to
be accommodated in the Town Hall as a temporary expedient. However, at
the time of going to press, there is great hope of their having the daytime
use of a first-class community centre before next year's report is due.
The Council's Holiday & Rest Home at Copthorne (on the borders of
Sussex and Surrey) has become so popular with King Edward's Hospital
Fund guests, that it is kept filled to capacity at most times of the year,
especially as regards its six new ground floor bedrooms for which there
is great competition'. However, with a total capacity for well over 40
adults apart from children, it is becoming well known all over the
country, our latest enthusiasts being Exeter'. Shoreditch residents use
it well between June and September and over Christmas, but K.E. patients