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wheels, luncheon clubs, home visitors, social clubs, chiropody, health
visitors and the short stay scheme. Through their good relationship with
the Department of Health and Social Security and church organisations
the social workers are able to arrange financial and other assistance. In
addition, as already mentioned, the Mayor's Charity Fund has been
instrumental in relieving financial distress in many cases.
In the past year due to public awareness, a steady increase has been
observed in the number of elderly persons seeking advice and help. One of
the results has been the need for domiciliary visits to ascertain what form
of help is required and the social workers have dealt with every referral.
A register is being compiled which in time will provide valuable information
on the needs and distribution of the elderly throughout the Borough.
The elderly are also invited to attend the afternoon meetings at
Sancroft Assembly Hall where they may participate in occupational or
social activities.

Protection of Moveable Property
The Council is responsible under the National Assistance Act 1948
for the safeguarding of the personal property of persons admitted to
hospital or residential homes and during the period under review 14 cases
were dealt with.
Welfare Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted.
Continuity of existing services was maintained throughout the year
and although the number on the register shows no marked change, there
were variations in certain age groups, which show a decrease of 60% in
number of registered partially-sighted persons over 65 years and may well
be the result of earlier diagnosis and treatment. The number of registered
blind in this age group was also slightly below that of the previous year.
In all 44 persons were registered blind and 9 registered as partially-sighted
and of these 60 % of the blind and 66 % of the partially-sighted were women.