View report page

Chiropody Service for Old People
This service was continued throughout 1960. Five local chiropodists gave their
services at cheap rates for Old Age Pensioners. In 1960, Middlesex County Officers
were empowered to proceed with a scheme for the increase in the provision of chiropody
as part of the County Health Services. The County Council was able also to offer
financial assistance to voluntary organisations providing chiropody. County Clinics
were expected to come into operation early in 1961.
Holidays for Old People:
The holiday scheme whereby old people get a seaside holiday during off season months
of May and September, at reduced rates, continued during 1960 and was operated by the
various Old People's Clubs in the Borough. In addition, the Southall Old People's
Welfare Association sent 24 Old Age Pensioners in two parties of 12 free of charge for one
week's holiday by the sea. The second party consisted of disabled or otherwise housebound
old people.
Other Services:
A service for the provision of cheap laundry and a cheap boot and shoe service are
available. The North Thames Gas Board offers a free service of inspection of the gas
appliances and service pipes in houses of old age pensioners living alone. The reason
for this is to reduce the risk of gas poisoning, a frequent cause of home accidents and
fatalities in old people. The offer includes free replacement of faulty pipes and the free
repair of faulty appliances. To take advantage of this offer, lists of old people living
alone are submitted from the Public Health Department and in due course the homes of
the persons nominated on the lists are visited by the Gas Board officers. Fresh lists
continued to be supplied from time to time. A visiting library service for Old People
who were housebound was started early in 1959—operated by the Southall Old People's
Welfare Committee, and with distribution assisted by various young people's groups.
Southall Association for the Occupation of the Elderly:
The Work Centre for the Elderly situated in the Municipal Sports Ground, and
maintained by a voluntary association supported in part by Middlesex County Council
and Southall Borough Council, continued to operate throughout 1960.
Various types of simple work were carried out by the old people in quite a satisfactory
way, indeed, as the firms supplying the work were expected to pay the proper rate for work,
it was essential that the work should be completed to their satisfaction. The number of
workers at the end of the year was 50, and various types of work were carried out, carding
buttons, sorting mixed metallic wastes from a large engineering company, trimming and
stamping of metal bolts, trimming of rubber, assembly of ball point pens, etc., and the
old people could be put on the jobs which were most suited to their capabilities.
Any old age pensioner is eligible to apply for work under this Scheme and once taken
on is kept on whether his or her output can be considered significant or not. It is realised
by the workers that a flat rate of 10/. per week for a ten hour week is certainly much less
than the younger healthy pensioner would be able to obtain in the labour market, but
they also realise that as they grow older or ill and less able to do very much work this wage
will continue the same. The scheme can never become self.supporting, but it is showing
great benefits in the social and even physical well.being of the people who are working.
There is a very happy atmosphere in the work rooms. Cups of tea are provided during
the morning and afternoon sessions.
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 47:
National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951:
No case was dealt with under these powers during 1960.
29