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74
Voluntary Services
The membership of Harrow Old People's Voluntary Committee is
drawn from voluntary organisations interested in promoting the welfare
of old people. It was set up in April, 1950 at the instigation of the former
Urban District Council, following a circular stter from the Ministry of
Health making suggestions for developing co-operation between local
authorities and local voluntary organisations.
On the assumption of their new powers, the Borough recommended
that to avoid confusion the title of the Harrow Old People's Welfare
Committee be changed to the Harrow Old People's (Voluntary) Committee.
Three members of the London Borough were appointed to this
voluntary committee which receives a monetary grant from and reports to
the Health and Welfare Committee of the Borough. The Voluntary
Committee functions through three sub-committees: Meals Service;
Workrooms; and Home Visiting Service. It was agreed that the day to day
management of these services would be the responsibility of the Voluntary
Committee who would advise and make recommendations to the Council.
(i) Meals Service:
(a) Luncheon Clubs: There are five luncheon clubs in the Borough.
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. At Tenby Road Assembly Hall meals
are cooked and served on the premises.
(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.