View report page

Payment and Duties of Neighbourly Helps
Neighbourly helps receive a weekly payment of 10/' to a maximum of £2. 0. Od.
Payments to the neighbourly helps are fixed by the Home Help Organiser according to
the duties undertaken. The duties of the neighbourly helps are set by the Home Help
Organiser, having regard to the amount of help required, which will to some extent,
depend on the amount of help already available from relatives etc. Examples of two
typical cases are set out below:—
1. Prepare and cook breakfast (feed if necessary).
Prepare and cook lunch (feed if necessary). 7 days per wk. £1. 0. Od. max
Cleaning (tidying). 6 days per wk. £1. 0. Od.
Prepare tea. 5 days per wk. £1. 0. Od.
Possibly help to bed.
Shoppmg. } 10/- per week.
The maximum rate of payment is to be increased to £3. 0. Od. per week as from the 1st
April, 1970 and it is hoped that this will help recruitment and allow a further expansion
of this very worthwhile service.
My sincere thanks are due to the voluntary organisations in the Borough, too
numerous to mention by name, who have been most helpful throughout the year to the
Home Help Organiser. Many homes have been redecorated by various youth organisations,
shopping undertaken and help in all sorts of ways given in the many emergencies
which arise in a service provided for the needs of the sick and elderlly.
Night "Sitters-In" Service.
This service, which commenced in 1967, provides assistance during the night for
emergency cases. Help is provided where either no relative or neighbour is immediately
available or where relief can be given to relatives who have been caring for chronically
ill patients. The service is normally limited to three nights per week, with a maximum
of twelve nights for any one patient. This can only be increased with the approval of
the Chairman of the Social Services Committee.
The Council pay the "sitters-in" at the rate of 4/3d. per hour, or up to £2. 2. 6d.
for a night's duty of ten hours. Persons receiving the service are assessed to pay to
the Council a charge according to means subject to a maximum charge of £2 2. 6d. per
night of ten hours. Persons in receipt of benefit from the Department of Health and
Social Security receive the service free of charge.