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Each blind or partially-sighted person who is registered and arranges to take a
holiday, and is in need of financial assistance, may claim a grant of £6 (or more - the option
resting with the social welfare officer for the blind) which the Sutton Association for the
Blind kindly donates. These grants are distributed by the social welfare officers for the
blind. The sum of £420 was spent by the Sutton Association for the Blind during the period
under review.
A small party of blind people join in with the Hayling Island holiday project for
the physically disabled of the borough.
Sutton Association for the Blind
This Association continues to give every assistance to the department in all matters
pertaining to welfare for the blind. In addition to the £420 spent on holiday grants, donations
amounting to the sum of £192 were given to the purchasing of electric fires for needy blind
persons, re-decoration of rooms and clearing and maintaining gardens, payment of telephone
bills and for a 42 year old blind woman who has just completed a course of rehabilitation, a
typewriter has been bought to enable her to become proficient enough to take a post as a typist.
At Christmas time, this Association has regularly donated £1 per person for those who are
housebound, or in hospital and this year £91 was spent on presents in this way, these presents
being wrapped and distributed from the Blind Welfare Section of my department.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Sutton Association for the Blind
for their good work in the field of Blind Welfare.
Services for the Elderly
A fourth home for the elderly, Bawtree House, Worcester Road, was opened in
May 1970. This is situated in the garden of Brambleacres', the land for which was donated
by the late Miss Bawtree after whom the house was named. It offers a home for 48 men and
women who have settled well; the voluntary League of Friends of Brambleacres have widened
their interests to include this new home.
Borough residential old people's homes
Waiting list at beginning of year 1.1.70 125
Waiting list 31.12.70 137
Number of beds available-
Brambleacres 41
Maiden Homes 111
Franklin House 50
Bawtree House 48
St. Anne's, Redhill 36
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A new home in Benhill Avenue is being built which will accommodate 47 people;
it is expected to open in January 1972 and it is hoped it will soon become part of the community
as has Franklin House on Roundshaw.
Standard Charges for Accommodation
This standard rate of maintenance in old people's homes administered by the
borough for the year ended March 1970 was £13. 17s. 8d. per week.
Accommodation provided by the voluntary old people's homes
As well as those homes provided by the borough, there is a small group of homes
(now 6 in number) owned and administered by the voluntary organisations. These homes
provide accommodation for old people and offer a further choice to those of a particular sect
or religious persuasion to enter into their own particular residential care unit. Financial
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