View report page

Chiropody
A service was maintained throughout the year by the Middlesex County Council
whereby old people could have their foot defects treated at reduced cost or free
of charge.
Figures of the numbers taking advantage of this Service can be found on
page 63.
Old Folks Friendship Club
This is a specially built club house opened in April, 1955, for the use as
a social and recreational centre of old age pensioners living in Brentford and
Chiswick. The club is open Monday to Friday from 2 - 5 p.m. and there is an
organiser in attendance. The old people are enrolled as members at their first
attendance, membership costs only one penny per week, and there are 250 names
on the register. The members can visit every day, if they wish, for rest room
or reading room facilities, or just to meet their friends and talk, but many
social occasions are provided for them in the way of concerts, whist drives, etc.
A television set is installed in the lounge, and a radiogram in the concert hall.
Light refreshments are available. This club also arranges summer outings of which
there were three in 1958, on which about 80 - 100 travelled each time, and an
annual Christmas party to which all the members are invited - the majority attend.
The members have formed their own Concert Party which not only performs to the
other members but goes to outside places and gives free performances.
Through this club the members are also able to obtain information about
the special services at reduced rates which are available within the Borough for
them, such as laundry, shoe repairs and hairdressing, and they can be given advice
on any difficulties that occur in their private lives.
This is the only club premises open daily for the use of old age pensioners
but there are 5 other clubs meeting in different parts of the Borough once a week
to which mobile old age pensioners become attached as members, for social and
recreational purposes.
Slipper Baths
Under the scheme for the provision at the reduced rates (2d. per bath) of
slipper baths for old people at the Public Baths Establishments, 2,357 baths were
taken in Chiswick and 722 in Brentford. There is a small increase in the use of
these facilities in 1958, showing both that the need for them is present in the
Borough, and that they are appreciated.
Meals on Wheels
The provision of a hot dinner once a day for an old person living alone may
make all the difference between health and malnutrition. It was with some concern
therefore that it had to be reported last year that the Invalid Meals for
London Association was not likely to be able to continue supplying meals for old
people unless they were recent hospital discharges or persons still under medical
treatment.
During 1958, after a meeting of representatives of local organisations convened
by the Mayor, a new Welfare Organisation was formed and the first task
undertaken by this organisation was to arrange for an alternative supply of meals
for the aged housebound. A suitable van and containers to keep food hot were
bought, a driver for the vehicle and a helper to distribute the meals were engaged
on a salaried basis, and the new service came into operation on 29th September,
1958.
36