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VOLUNTARY SERVICES FOR THE AGED
The Women's Royal Voluntary Services continued to give invaluable help in the operation of the
meals-on-wheels service and at two of the luncheon clubs. At the other luncheon clubs invaluable help
was given by members of the League of Jewish Women and private individual helpers.
The Wembley and Willesden Divisions of the British Red Cross Society maintained their longstanding
services among the elderly including chiropody, escorting, and the loan of wheel-chairs and nursing
equipment.
The majority of afternoon clubs for the elderly in the Borough, which organise many activities for
their members in addition to their regular meetings, are run by voluntary organisations such as the League
of Jewish Women (Friendship Clubs for the Jewish elderly), The W.R.V.S. (Darby and Joan Clubs), the
B.R.C.S. (Evergreen Clubs), the National Federation of Old Age Pensioners Associations, Community Associations,
Churches and private groups. Much voluntary work was also done at the full-time Clubs.
Various organisations, including Youth Clubs and Schools, as well as private persons, participated
in arrangements for visiting the elderly who live alone and in offering help in such things as shopping,
gardening, decorating and other chores.
The Brent Christmas Comforts Fund for Old People, a registered charity comprising the members
of the Old People's Sub-Committee, received much voluntary assistance in raising funds.
To foster and encourage community interest in the welfare of the aged and to ensure that voluntary
workers in this field are well informed, the Department was actively engaged towards the end of the
year with preparations for two training courses for voluntary workers to take place early in 1967.
LAUNDRY SERVICE FOR THE INCONTINENT AGED
A laundry service for the incontinent elderly is administered by the Council. The articles are
laundered at Neasden Hospital by arrangement with the Central Middlesex Group Hospital Management
Committee and at Colindale Hospital under a similar arrangement with the Hendon Group Hospital Management
Committee. Transport is provided by the Borough Council.
Patients are referred by hospitals, doctors, council nurses and relatives. The service enables patients
who would be admitted to hospital to be nursed at home and more beds are available for urgent cases. It
was greatly appreciated by the patients and their relatives.