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and recreational one for people suffering from any physical handicap. Transport was
provided by members of the Rotary Club and Round Table for those members who were
unable to make their own way to the Club premises, which were at the Southall Community
Centre. The membership remained at a figure of 25—the average attendance
being about 18. Members make themselves useful to the Community Centre staff in
little ways, and this is of considerable therapeutic value.
The Hard of Hearing Club:
This Club, which was inaugurated in 1955, had another successful year in 1960 and
continued to be popular and useful to its members. The membership figure rose to 45
with an average weekly attendance of 30—35. The Committee is very energetic and the
programmes arranged for the members were varied, interesting and often directly useful
in helping them to come to terms with their disability. The Welfare Committee of the
Southall Group had numerous calls for services—assistance was given for all who needed
such service.
Five members attended the Old Age Pensioners' Holiday at Dymchurch organised
by the Welfare Committee of the Middlesex & Surrey League, and the group was
represented at numerous conferences sponsored by the League, and by the British
Association of the Hard of Hearing, during the year.
This club has a difficult task as the Hard of Hearing often tend to remain aloof, and
are nervous of mixing with others. Once the ice is broken they prove to be good members
of the group and attend regularly.
Diabetic Club:
The Club for Diabetics, started in 1956, continued to function throughout 1960.
This Club was founded to enable sufferers from diabetes as well as those interested in
diabetes, i.e. for relatives or friends of diabetics, to meet together socially and to have the
opportunity to discuss their individual problems with fellow sufferers and to hear authoritative
talks from speakers particularly interested in diabetes such as doctors and other
nutrition and health experts. The membership was 45 and the attendance at monthly
meetings averaged about 23 but altogether some 135 diabetics have enjoyed the benefits
of the club since its formation.
Home Advice Group:
This Group, created for the purpose of assisting and advising mothers with problems,
continued to function throughout the year. Meetings were held weekly at first at the
Work Centre for the Elderly in the Municipal Sports Ground, later in the year the meeting
place was changed to Northcote Clinic. A programme of interesting discussions, demonstrations
and specialist speakers was carried out during the year. The Group is assisted
financially by the Housing Committee of the Borough Council and is under the direction
of a Co.ordinating Committee of officials of the various bodies concerned with welfare
of the family. The membership at the end of the year was 12, with an average attendance
of 8.
Welfare of the Blind and Partially Sighted:
The welfare services for blind and partially.sighted are the responsibility of the County
Council under the National Assistance Act, 1948.
The County Council's Welfare Department provides a Home Teaching service, the
object of which is to enable blind and partially.sighted people to lead as full and active
lives as their handicap allows, by assisting them in overcoming the effects of their
disabilities.
The Home Teachers visit all blind and partially.sighted persons in their own homes,
hospitals and residential homes, advise on all problems relating to their welfare and keep
them in touch with available social services. Instruction is given in Braille and Moon
systems of raised type, in handcrafts and where appropriate, in the Deaf.Blind manual
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