View report page

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 bathing. 910 baths were given to 82 old people
during the year by the Council's Home Bathing service, which was
inaugurated in 1950.
The National Assistance (Amendment) Act 1962 substitutes a new
section for Section 31 of the Act of 1943, with the effect of extending
previous powers of local authorities under this section so as to
enable them (a) to assist voluntary organisations in providing meals
or recreation for old people by making a contribution towards the cost
thereof; to provide by gift or loan or otherwise, furniture, vehicles
or equipment; to permit the use of premises belonging to the local
authority; to make available the services of the local authority's
staff connected with the premises or vehicles which the organisation
is permitted to use, and (b) to provide meals and recreation for old
people either directly or through the agency of voluntary organisations
and to recover such charges (if any) as the authority may determine,
having regard to the cost of the service.
The Council's grant for the year 1962-3 to the Stepney Old
People's Welfare Association, for allocation as appropriate to the
various organisations in the Borough catering for the welfare of old
people, amounted to £8,800.
There are eighteen old people's clubs in the Borough, all affiliated
to the Stepney Old People's Welfare Association.* Three clubs
closed during the year and a new one opened. The Council is represented
on the Association by the Chairman of the Public Health Committee
and other members of the Council and by the Medical Officer of Health.
A list of Clubs and the facilities thereat will be found on page 80.
A grant of £1,410 was also made to the Workrooms for the Elderly,
a voluntary organisation, £410 being in respect of adaptation, rent
and rates of premises owned by the Council and made available to the
organisation in April this year. (See photograph opposite page 14).
There are now five vehicles employed by the various voluntary
organisations in delivering meals to old people. The Mobile Meals
Service operated by the Stepney Old People's Welfare Association, the
Women's Voluntary Service and the Beaumont Hall Settlement stepped up
*Hon.Secretary, The Stepney Old People's Welfare Association,
St.Katharine's, Butcher Row, Cable Street, E.l.
Voluntary visitors are urgently needed and should apply to the Secretary.
15