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Stepney Borough Council Information Service.
An Information Centre, under the direction of the
Borough Librarian, Mr.G.Newland, and his staff, was opened
at 671a, Commercial Road, E.14 (Stepney Green 2218) on the
6th December 1948 to supply Stepney citizens with information
and advice on all everyday problems e.g. National
Health and Insurance, Family Welfare, social and dories tic
problems, local activities, education, form filling, etc.
With the growth of the new Social Services it is essential
that every member of the public should be aware of the
benefits to be obtained from these services and the Stepney
Information Centre will advise accordingly.
At the date of publication of this report, close on
2,000 residents in the borough have consulted the Information
Service on their various problems, not the least of
which is "how they are affected by the Health Services."
Welfare of Aged Persons (see also p.26).
The plight of aged persons in the Borough has given
concern to the Borough Council, and on the 4th February a
resolution was passed, as a result of which a large conference,
representing all the interests in the Borough, was
called on 22nd March.
Arising out of this, the Women's Voluntary Services
have provided a "Meals on Wheels" Scheme, assisted by a
grant from the Borough Council under Section 31 of the
National Assistance Act 1948.
The service started on 26th April, and at the time of
publication of this report 1,000 meals a month are being
delivered to aged persons in the Borough.
A "Darby and Joan Club" has been organised by the
W.V.S., with a present membership of 80, where 150 meals
per week are served (see also the Home Help Service on p.9).
One of the most serious problems at the present time
is that of the care of aged and infirm persons. Owing to
the shortage of nursing staff it is difficult to oxpand the
accommodation in the Hospitals and Welfare Homes. It is
not easy to get chronic aged persons admitted. -In consequence
many old persons, sometimes in poor health, remain
in their own dwellings (often in single rooms). Families
to-day are small and. many sons and daughters, married or
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