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28
TEMPORARY CARE AND PROTECTION OF PROPERTY
In accordance with Section 48 of the National Assistance Act, the Department undertook responsibility
for the care and protection of movable property of 21 residents who were admitted to hospital when it
became apparent that no other suitable arrangements were being made. In 4 other cases the Department
was able to discharge its duties by arranging for relatives or friends to assume responsibility and to indemnify
the Council accordingly.
At the end of the year, the property of 26 residents was in store in the annexe of "Mardale"
Residential Home.
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
In accordance with the provisions of Section 50 of the National Assistance Act 1948, arrangements
were made for the burial or cremation of 31 persons during the year. Eighteen of these were residents of the
Council's residential homes.
WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE COMMUNITY
The Council continued to provide various services for the elderly under the National Assistance
Act 1948 (Amendment) Act 1962, broadly defined as the provision of meals, and recreation in the home
and elsewhere.
Ten Luncheon Clubs operated in 1970, and 61,719 meals, prepared by the School Meals Service,
were served in the Clubs at a charge of Is. 3d. The Meals-on-Wheels Service continued to be run in conjunction
with the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, deliveries being made on 2 or 3 days per week. Seven
vehicles are in use on the Service on peak delivery days. Thirty-nine thousand, one hundred and thirteen
meals were delivered in 1970, at the same charge of Is. 3d. Meals for delivery in the Willesden area are
prepared at the Kensal Rise Senior Club and those for the Wembley area are supplied by the School Meals
Service.
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 1970, arrangements were made for pensioners to have two weeks holiday at three south
coast resorts. Six hundred and eighty pensioners participated in the scheme at an all-in charge of £4 to each
applicant. In addition, the Council made grants to 101 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 2 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 premises and to help with additional Christmas expenses.
The Council continues 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 £4,867.
In the Summer, two outings were arranged for elderly housebound people. One party of 56 went
to Abingdon in July and another party of just over 60 to Bray-on-Thames. Council transport also conveyed
non-ambulent members to and from 7 Old People's Clubs.
At Christmas the Council, in conjunction with the Brent Christmas Comforts Fund for Old People,
distributed 1,688 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 90 persons who would not otherwise have
received a parcel. The Council also made a grant of £75 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.
OLD PEOPLE'S CLINICS
Thirty-six sessions for elderly persons living in the Borough were held at Neasden Clinic. Forty-nine
cases were seen, five of these attending for the first time, and together they made 153 attendances during the
year. Ninety per cent made their own way to the clinic, and attendances even during the wintry inclement
weather were very good. This underlines the sturdy character of these elderly folk when it is realised that 15
were over 80 and 3 over 90 years old—a praiseworthy effort indeed!
Influenza lingered on at the beginning of the year for a short period and bronchitis was troublesome
for the elderly. Medical practitioners treated many in their own homes, but some required admission
to hospital.