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difficulty in obtaining suitable staff for this arduous but
rewarding work. The waiting list for admission to homes for
the elderly has remained constant at something over 200, in
spite of the opening of Rose Park, and this is a matter of
considerable concern to the Welfare Committee.
During the year a new Day Centre for the elderly was
opened in the Church Hall of the Goodmayes Congregational
Church and this is gradually gaining in popularity. Scrafton
Road Day Centre has for some time been a happy meeting
place for the elderly of the district and soon it is hoped to
bring the new Centre at Fullwell Cross into use. This latter
Centre will have the advantage of being able to provide a midday
meal for those attending. Day Centres will play an
increasing part in the provisions for the elderly, particularly
when transport is available and will assist some of our senior
citizens to maintain their independence and continue to live
in the community.
For the first time in Redbridge the Council arranged to
sent a number of elderly persons on holiday to Corton Beach
Holiday Camp, near Lowestoft. 500 persons will be catered
for, particularly those on low incomes, and it is anticipated
that they will derive much benefit from the holiday.
In spite of considerable difficulty in obtaining drivers and
other assistance, the W.V.S. have managed to supply "meals
on wheels" to many of the housebound elderly in the district
and during 1966/67 the Council proposes to help this Service
to develop by providing drivers, vehicles and clerical assistance
(Appendix 39).
Due to staffing shortages, the Social Welfare Officers
responsible for visiting and helping the elderly have been
working under tremendous pressure and there is an urgent need
to supplement their number. In the social work field generally
there is an increasing appreciation of the need to provide not
only services for the elderly, but skilled caseworkers able to
assist them and their families with their problems. It is not
considered any longer that the answer to the problems of the
elderly is to "put them in a Home", and more and more there
is a demand for the services of qualified and experienced
Social Workers in this field.
For many years this Country has had the advantage of a
social work service for the blind and partially sighted and
Redbridge is fortunate in having four Social Welfare Officers,
who are qualified home teachers for the blind, to continue this
service in the Borough.