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the mixing of normal "teenagers" with the mentally handicapped
but this attempt at integration has not been too successful. This
venture is entirely volunatry and no financial responsibility
devolves on the Council.
Under the auspices of the Greenwich Society for Mentally
Handicapped Children, a second "Gateway" club for subnormal
and E.S.N. Juniors has been established at Eltham on Monday
evenings 7 - 9 p.m.
Support is provided by the Council in the shape of a minibus
to convey children on Wednesday evenings to a club at Griffin
Manor School which is organised for the "under 16s" by the
Greenwich Society for Mentally Handicapped Children. Attendances
vary between 18 and 20.
Organised by the Elfrida Rathbone Society, two further voluntary
clubs were established during the year. One for 60 subnormal
children under 16 years of age is held on Tuesday evenings at
Griffin Manor School and the other for 50 subnormal adults
between the ages of 16 and 21 years which is held on Friday
evenings at Abery Street.
Hostels or Homes (for Subnormal Patients)
During November of 1968, a purpose-built hostel was opened
at Ashburnham Grove to provide emergency long and short term
care for 25 subnormal girls and boys between the ages of 3 and
16 years. While in occupation at this Hostel, the children will
attend the Maze Hill Junior Training Centre.
Since its establishment, staffing difficulties have been encountered
which have precluded the use of this hostel to its fullest extent.
Nevertheless, it is true to say that, without this accommodation,
short term care for children would have been impossible now that
Darenth Park is, for all practical purposes, closed to us and,
further, the placing of children we have accepted for long term care
would have been seriously prejudiced.
Subnormal Patients Placed in Homes or Hostels
Convents 4
Guardianship Society—Private Homes 9
Ashburnham Hostel 8
Other Local Authority Hostels 2
Spastic Society—Meldreth1
Approved Private Homes 7
Services for the Mentally ill
Because the psychological needs of a patient depend so much
on family relationships and those with his friends, associates,
superiors, etc.. a local authority's endeavours should include not