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brought to light, but inevitably the source dried up.
This year we embarked on another experiment to discover those old
people who need help. Some of the Department’s outdoor staff during
the course of their normal duties deliver postcards to each house in
the Borough. So far approximately 9,000 postcards have been delivered
and 275 returned indicating that persons required one or more of the
services listed on the card. It has however been found on visiting
that less than half this number really are in need of attention.
The Department continued operating its Laundry Service (begun in
1951) for the chronic sick who are unable by reason of ill-health,
senility, etc. to keep their personal laundry and bed-linen in a clean
condition. During the year, 456 parcels of laundry were dealt with.
In automatic washing machine of the type used in Launderettes was
installed this year.
In order to prevent injury, or danger of injury, to health, section
43 of. the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1953, operated by
the Borough Council, makes provision for the personal cleansing in their
own homes of aged persons who are verminous or otherwise in need of a
bath. 759 baths were given to 78 old people during the year by the
Council's Home Bathing Service, which was inaugurated in 1950.
Grants may be made under section 31 of the National Assistance Act,
1948, to voluntary associations whose activities include the provision
of recreation and meals for old people. Grants made by the Council to
The Stepney Old People's Welfare Association and to old people's clubs,
during the year, amounted to over £6,000. There are 19 old people's
clubs in the Borough, sixteen being affiliated to The Stepney Old
People's Welfare Association.*
A grant of £500 was also made to the Workrooms for the Elderly,
a voluntary organisation. This is an employment scheme for elderly
persons which commenced in the Borough in 1953.
The.Council is represented on The Stepney Old People's Welfare
Association by the Chairman of the Public Health Committee and other
members of the Council and by the lviedical Officer of Health. Applications
made to the Council by old people's clubs for grants under the
National Assistance Act, 1948, are referred to the Association for
investigation.
The Mental Welfare Day Hospital, opened during the year at St.
Clement's Hospital, Poplar, has been of assistance to our old people
and early cases of mental deterioration have been referred there. The
scheme is in its early experimental stage but is undoubtedly of benefit
to those cases which in the past have been difficult to deal with.
* Hon.Secretary, The Stepney Old People's Welfare Association,
St.Katharine's, Butcher Row, Cable Street, E.14.
Voluntary visitors are urgently needed and should apply to the Secretary.
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