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Once again the three full-time social centres in the Borough—the Willesden Green and Kensal Rise
Senior Clubs, and the '49' Club—have had successful years, a varied programme of social activities having
been arranged by the respective House Committees. The Council also provided premises for two full-time
clubs for men in the Wembley area—the Barham Park and Kingsbury Veterans' Clubs.
During 1968, arrangements were made for pensioners to have two weeks' holiday at three south coast
resorts. Six hundred and eighty-one pensioners participated in the scheme at an all-in charge of £4 to each
applicant. In addition, the Council made grants to 95 persons towards the cost of privately arranged holidays
or to persons going on group holidays organised by bodies other than the Council. The Department also
arranged two summer holidays for elderly ladies with the Women's Holiday Fund. As in previous years a
grant of £50 was made towards the cost of holidays for elderly Brent patients in Shenley Hospital.
More than 40 afternoon clubs operate in the Borough, and during the winter months the Council,
through the Entertainments Department, arranged monthly concerts for the majority of these Clubs. In addition,
a series of variety matinees were presented at the Town Hall free of charge to pensioners. Free transport was
arranged from the more outlying areas of the Borough. Several clubs received grants to help pay the rent of the
premises and to help with additional Christmas expenses.
The Council continued to make available welfare foods, such as Complan, Horlicks, Ovaltine, Bovril,
Marmite and tea at reduced prices. These are sold at and delivered to 35 clubs and clinics in the Borough.
Sales amounted to almost £4,600.
In August, an outing was arranged to Bray-on-Thames for just over 40 elderly housebound people.
Transport was arranged by the Council and the old people were conveyed from and to their homes. Council
transport also conveyed housebound persons to the two Senior Clubs on two afternoons per week throughout
the year. On five afternoons and one evening a week, Council transport also conveyed non-ambulant members
to and from seven old people's clubs, one additional club being included in the arrangement compared with
1967.
At Christmas the Council, in conjunction with the Brent Christmas Comforts Fund for Old People,
distributed 1,639 food parcels to those most in need over 70. In addition, the Department supplied to various
organisations and schools within the Borough, the names of 288 persons who would not otherwise have received
a parcel. The Council also made a grant of £60 to the South Kilburn Old Folks' Fund to help them supply
parcels to pensioners in the Carlton and Kilburn Wards of the Borough.
The Medical Officer of Health continued to act as local representative for such charitable organisations
as Wireless for the Bedridden Society, the Steiner Charity, which makes free radio and television sets
available to the bedridden and housebound, and for the National Society for Cancer Relief in payment of
weekly allowance to elderly patients.
The Department's Social Workers concerned with old people's welfare continued their numerous visits
to help and advise, and to assess the need for the various services. They were also available at various centres
for interviewing elderly people.
OLD PEOPLE'S CLINICS
Fifty old people's clinic sessions were held during 1968 and 214 attendances were made by women
and 44 by men. Thirty-two women and 5 men were in the age range 80-89. They were mobile and energetic.
Thirty-two persons attended the clinics for the first time.
Painful joints were the most discussed symptoms at the sessions, but coughs and colds also were
prominent especially during inclement weather. The family doctor was sent a report after each visit.
The doctor in attendance discussed social and health problems and made the following arrangements:
No. of Patients
Referred to Social Worker for visits 21
,, to Council Chiropodist 12
,, for Council aided Holiday 6
,, to Council Physiotherapist 5
„ to Housing Manager 4
,, for admission to Council
Old Person's Home 3
,, for admission to Senior Club 3
,, to Home Help Organiser 2
,, to Chief Mental Health Social
Worker 2
,, to Jewish Welfare Board 2
„ to Ministry of Social Security 1
VOLUNTARY SERVICES FOR THE AGED
The Women's Royal Voluntary Services continued to give invaluable help in the day-to-day operation
of the meals-on-wheels service and at two of the luncheon clubs. At the other luncheon clubs, voluntary but
essential help was given by members of the League of Jewish Women and private individuals, many of whom
have continued to do this work for many years since the inception of the various clubs. There is a shortage of
voluntary helpers in the luncheon clubs, and it is hoped that it may be possible to recruit additional helpers in
1969.