This year uptake of Welfare Benefit and launch of Asian Cancer Support Group has been the highlight, with many developments and much expansion. In total, Oshwal Elderly Welfare Association has assisted more than 260 members and/or their Carers and/or relatives during the year.

The Information and Advise
More than 155 Members were provided with information and advice over telephone on individual basis on various issues ranging from obtaining welfare benefits and health care to ways of securing accommodation in Social care homes.

Accommodation and Housing
This year 22 members seek the advise for Shelter Housing.

Benefits
2004 was an excellent year for the Benefits Project. The project has assisted over 100 members to claim benefits. Between 55 and 65 home visits for year were made assisting members to complete benefit forms. One advise surgery on pension credit was provided in partnership with Pension Services in South London assisting over 115 members and more surgeries will be arranged raising awareness of benefits to wider membership and /or their carers throughout the year.

Health
Launch of an Asian Cancer Support Group in North London in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Relief took place on 17th December 2003 at Kadwa Patidar Centre in Harrow. Seven Support Group meetings were held for the year 2004. Average attendance of 16 members was recorded. We have Bharti Rawal and Damyanti Patel from Macmillan Cancer Relief, who with 3 volunteers are coordinating the project. Special thanks goes to Mrs Suryaben Shantilal Shah for handling day-to-day running of North London Support Group.

Luncheon Club
The Association runs a Luncheon Club once a week in Croydon and once every 8-to10 weeks in Harrow. This club has being very successful due to the dedication of the volunteers and also has been the meeting point for many members.

The Social Services department of Croydon council, supports the Luncheon Club in Croydon and from whom a Luncheon subsidy of £2825 was received for year 2004,.

We thank Mr Hansraj D Shah & Sigma Pharmaceutical for their kind donation of Raffle Prizes.

Holidays
In year 2004, Oshwal Elderly Welfare Association organised overseas holiday for 54 members to India for 24 days and 7 day trip to Cyprus in November for 52 members. All participants had a wonderful time.

Membership
For year, we had 1538 Members of which 64% were female and 36% were male.

We have approximately 49 Volunteers working in different projects. Oshwal Elderly Welfare Association is entirely run by volunteers and would not be able to provide such high standard of service without their dedication and support. We have the equivalent of 4 full time members of staff in volunteering hours. On behalf of all the members and Executive Committee, I would like to thank the volunteers for their invaluable input.

Finally, I would like to thank all the members for supporting the Association’s activities in such large numbers. The committee is inspired by your support.

Satish Shah
Co-ordinator