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(i) Meals Service:
(a) Luncheon Clubs: There are now five luncheon clubs in the
Borough, the fifth being opened during 1967 at Chapel Lane, Pinner. Hot
midday meals are cooked in a central kitchen and served in four halls:—
the Belmont and North Harrow Assembly Halls, the South Harrow
Baptist Church and Chapel Lane, Pinner. In addition, at Tenby Road,
morals are cooked and served on the premises. Associated Social Clubs
have been organised so that not only can the elderly benefit from a wholesome
meal but also attend social gatherings.
(b) Meals-on-Wheels Service: In addition to supplying the Assembly
Halls, the central kitchen prepares hot midday meals which are served to
housebound people in their own homes through the "Meals-on-Wheels
Service". Three vans are used and staffed by members of the W.R.V.S.
(ii) Home Visiting Service:
Many elderly residents are visited regularly in their own homes by
voluntary workers. Besides bringing friendship and companionship they
also encourage a feeling of "being wanted" and help to dispel loneliness
and depression.
The elderly are often unaware of the services available and in many
instances these voluntary workers have been able to alert the statutory
services to problems readily capable of solution. It is a pity that this
voluntary service is undermanned and many more helpers are urgently
required.
(iii) Workrooms:
The benefits to be derived from being engaged in some constructive
work are well illustrated among the elderly people who attend the workrooms
at Palmerston Road, Wealstone and Coles Crescent, South Harrow.
The fact that they get away from their homes, meet as a group and at the
same time do a useful piece of work with a definite end product is without
doubt of tremendous therapeutic value—in other words they have the
feeling of once again being useful members of the community. A third
workroom was opened during the year at Morecambe Gardens, Stanmore
but this will move early in 1968 to more suitable premises being prepared
in the new housing estate at Stonegrove, Edgeware.
Inspection of Private and Voluntary Residential Accommodation
The duty for inspecting private and voluntary establishments under
the National Assistance Act 1948 was also assumed bv the Borough on its
formation.
The following table gives details of the four voluntary and
eight private homes which are situated within the Borough.