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21.
Our work has been as always, an attempt to alleviate financial distress
among our patients and their families. We are indebted to the many voluntary
organisations which have helped us in this task. These include S.S.A.F.A.,
The Forces Help Society, The Glasspool Trust, The Benevolent Society of St.
Patrick, N.S.C.R., The Chest & Heart Association and the W.V.S.
Typical cases have been those needing help with rent and H.P. Arrears,
wireless and television rentals and licences, coal, clothing, holidays and
fares to enable relatives to visit patients in hospitals and sanatoria.
We were also able to distribute £20 amongst our elderly patients at
Christmastime. The letters of thanks received were proof of how much this was
appreciated by them.
Finally we would like to record our thanks to the Auditor, also to the
Borough Treasurer and Mr. Kirtland for their kindness in preparing and auditing
the accounts.
SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
The various services provided for the welfare of old people continued to
function throughout the year and the four full time old people's clubs again
proved very popular places where the pensioners can meet their friends to sit
and talk in comfort, play games, listen to wireless or television, and find
from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. that companionship which so many of them lack in
their homes. The premises occupied by Moorfields Club were sold in September
for redevelopment of the site, but fortunately accommodation was found nearby
at St. Michael's Church Hall and the club soon settled in the new surroundings
and membership began to increase. Use has been made of the Council's small
coach to transport some of the crippled and in-active pensioners to and from
the clubs daily and at the time of writing 11 old people are being given this
opportunity to enjoy the club amenities. The improvement in their condition is
already unbelievable. The special club concert given at Hoxton Hall every
Friday afternoon still attracts a big attendance.
I am sorry to have to report that the Council's Holiday Home at Copthorne
continued to experience great difficulty in obtaining sufficient staff to
function satisfactorily and eventually the position became so impossible that
it had to be closed at the end of September. However negotiations are
proceeding for the purchase of a Holiday Hotel at the seaside and the Council
will be able to provide holidays for Shoreditch O.A.P.'s and some of the
poorer families next year.
A great stride forward was made in the "Meals on wheels" service in
November, when following several complaints regarding the quality of the meals
served, the Council's staff canteen agreed to undertake the supply. This
proved very popular and the number of meals served at clubs, and by W.V.S.
and Salvation Army to homebound folk, rose by the end of the year to 120 per
day and is still increasing.