Collectors sought

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33037, 3 October 1972, Page 16

Collectors sought

“Apart from an annual grant from the Golden Kiwi, we are dependent on the support of the public for our work among the elderly in Christchurch,” the deputy chairman of the Christchurch Aged People’s Welfare Council (Miss Betty Webb) said yesterday.

“On Friday, we will be holding our annual street appeal in Christchurch when we will be appealing to the public to support our cause, which is a very necessary one for the city.” Although the council had a wonderful band of voluntary helpers, it must be supported by an experienced staff, said Miss Webb. Recently a full-time social worker had been employed by the council to keep in touch with the needs of the elderly in Christchurch. In the 16 weeks she had been employed, 840 calls had been made. Also, the council would have to spend heavily on the relocation and rebuilding of Langford House — the council’s home for the elderly—which was in the path of the proposed motorway, and on the development programme at the council’s site in Cashel Street, where a new occupational centre would be built next year, said Miss Webb. NEW AVENUES "The occupational centre is at present a burden on our finances, but it is a service which must be provided and which is well worth the expense,” she said. “We hold two-hour classes twice a day almost every day of the week, providing a necessary occupational and social service for about 200 old people in Christchurch.” Occupational groups are also run in Kaiapoi and Rangiora and a centre has been started at New Brighton.

“There are many other things we could do for the elderlv in Christchurch if we had the money,” she said. "More home visits are needed —these could be in the form of a group of people who

visit and talk to the old people.” Collectors are still needed for the appeal on Friday, and interested people are asked to call at the Trinity Church Hall, on the corner of Worcester and Manchester j Streets.