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154
to teach them to be emotionally stable and socially acceptable in
order that they may live harmoniously within the community.
During 1967, progress continued substantially assisted by the
use of premises at 6 St. John's Park. Utilisation of these premises
not only enabled 12 trainees to undertake woodwork training, an
activity precluded at Blackwall Lane owing to the lack of space,
but in releasing accommodation at Blackwall Lane, allowed the
introduction of more machinery thus widening the scope of work
which could be handled by the centre.
Mr. Rickards, the centre Supervisor, reports as follows: —
"During 1967, the centre maintained an upward trend in the
production of sub-contract work and our takings for the year
reached £2,400.
We have become more mechanised and now have three printing
machines, two lathes, three bench drills, a grinding machine, a
sanding machine, a toggle press and three kick presses. Machinery
now occupies an important place in the training programme.
Operating skills, care and maintenance and respect for the safety
rules of a machine workshop, all form part of the curriculum for
trainees. Much of the machinery was purchased second-hand and.
under instruction the trainees have dismantled, cleaned, repaired,
repainted and re-assembled it into working order.
During the year, five trainees have left the centre to work in
open employment. This is one less than last year but this is due.
I feel, to the closing down of the larger factories in our area and
the ensuing employment difficulties."
Knoyle Street Centre
Greenwich boys attending this Centre which is held in a Church
Hall and is under the control of the London Borough of Lewisham
have been engaged in woodwork, basket making, etc., and, more
recently, in dismantling Post Office telephones.
A mixed adult training centre was established within our own
Borough in November of the current year by transferring the
Greenwich boys to this Council's premises at Park Vista in
exchange for the Lewisham girls working there.
The department's use of the Knoyle Street centre was therefore
discontinued from that date.
Ministry of Labour
There is normal co-operation with the local Disablement
Resettlement and Youth Employment Officers who, unfortunately
with little success, endeavour to place into employment subnormals
who, perforce, must therefore remain in the care of the Mental
Health Service It would appear that more favourable results are