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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 1961 and
continued to be popular and useful to its members. The membership figure increased by
25% and there was 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—such as help with hearing
aid difficulties.
Five members attended the Old Age Pensioners' Holiday at Dymchurch organised by
the Welfare Committee of the Middlesex and Surrey League, and the group was represented
at the National Conferences of the British Association for the Hard of Hearing.
Diabetic Club:
The Southall and District Diabetic Club, a Branch of the British Diabetic Association,
continued to function throughout 1961. This Club, formed im 1956, aims to enable diabetics,
their relatives and friends, and those interested in diabetic welfare, to meet together
socially and to hear authoritative talks from speakers who specialise or are particularly
interested in diabetes such as doctors and other health experts.
Membership by subscription was 61, with a Club Newsletter circulation of 115. The
attendance at monthly meetings in the Masons Room of the Holy Trinity Hall averaged 25.
The Club has a Committee of 10 members which includes welfare officers and organisers
of various fund raising activities in aid of the Research Fund. The Club programme in
1961 included food demonstrations, Norwegian travel and road safety film shows, coach
outings, as well as talks by diabetic specialists. Two younger school teenage members
attended holiday camps run by the British Diabetic Association during the summer.
The Club is a member of the North West Metropolitan Region which consists of 7
Branches in west London, and inter-club visits are organised.
Multiple Sclerosis Society:
A new Branch of this Society was formed during 1961 to meet the needs of sufferers
from this disability in the Boroughs of Southall, Heston and Isleworth, Hayes and Harlington,
and Uxbridge. It was named the West Middlesex Branch. The work undertaken by
this Society includes the visiting of disabled members in their homes, the organisation of
social meetings and the provision of financial help with holidays.
Welfare of the Blind and Partially Sighted:
The welfare services for the blind and partially-sighted are the responsibility of the
County Council under the National Assistance Act, 1948.
In 1961, there were resident in the Borough 97 blind and 14 partially-sighted persons.
There were 6 partially-sighted children attending Special Schools, and 1 blind child aged
3 years, at home. Sixteen blind persons were in full-time employment. Of these, 3 were
in Workshops for the Blind, and 1 was working as a Home Worker. Their earnings were
augmented by the County Council.
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 majority of blind persons are either not capable of employment owing to age or
infirmity, or for some reason are not available for employment. Amongst the latter arc
housewives who may receive instruction in carrying out their household duties from the
Home Teachers or in residential courses of social rehabilitation.
The Home Teachers visit all blind and partially-sighted persons in their own homes,
in hospitals and in residential homes, advise on all problems relating to their welfare and
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