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Their activities range from visiting, delivering some of the "Mealson-Wheels",
running a Day Centre for the elderly, a handicraft class for
the physically handicapped, a creche for mongol children, trolley service
in the old people's homes, etc., to running Clubs with all their associated
organisation of entertainments, outings, holidays, etc. Some provide
clothing and some a little financial help.
We are in close touch with many of them and hope to get to know the
remainder and, in fact, would be pleased if they would like to contact
the Department when we could arrange to meet and talk over our work
and let each other know what service we are able to offer.
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During this year there have been many groups, individual persons
(many of whom have been young people) and schools, coming forward
and offering their services; some asking in which way they can help,
others with a project already planned. They are carrying out visiting,
decorations, gardening odd jobs, shopping, letter writing, running play
groups and teaching English to immigrants, etc. There are also the
'special' events — parcels, parties and children's pantomime trips at
Christmas, also the day's hospitality to lonely old folk on Christmas
Day; the gifts of produce at Harvest Festival time. Volunteers (including
school girls) visit and help at Day Centres and Old People's Homes.
Religious bodies in the Borough are becoming more alive to the
need and are extending a helping hand wherever they can and some
have formed community care ("Good Neighbours" or "Fish") services.
I look forward to the day when every parish in the Borough is covered
by such a scheme.
Voluntary bodies are also assisting by providing housing schemes
for the elderly as well as old persons' homes in the area.
Some kind hearted persons in the Wanstead area have been escorting
blind folk in their cars to and from the handicraft class week after week
for many years and there have been many other instances where volunteers
have provided transport.
The Council is grateful for the help given direct by volunteers who
have acted as escorts and helpers at the Camps and Hotels on the holidays
arranged annually for the elderly, blind and physically handicapped.
The Council is generous in its grants to voluntary organisation,
some receive quite large sums of money to maintain services; others,