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gusto and enjoyment. The usual high standard of Christmas entertainment
was reached with a nativity play mimed by the children, after which they
sang carols. A Christmas Party was held at which Father Christmas presented
each child with a toy. Gifts of money were received from the Hammersmith
Branch of the National Society for Mentally-Handicapped Children, and a
local publican gave his usual most generous gifts.
Visits were made to the Centre by students from the Froebel Institute,
the Avery Hill College of Education, University of London Institute of
Education, Maria Grey College, St. Nicholas College and others. There
were two long-term placements from Chiswick Polytechnic, and visits from
nurses in local hospitals. In addition, 2 girls from Hammersmith High
School and 1 from Fulham High School, all 6th formers, spent weekly visits
as part of their studies. The London Boroughs' Training Committee sent a
student one day a week for a six weeks' course.
Day Centre Until October, 1970, the Day Centre shared the premises at
Emlyn Gardens with an Old Peoples' Luncheon Club, and catered for 25
patients, After that date, the Luncheon Club was rehoused and the Day
Centre had the full use of the two rooms, kitchen, and toilet accommodation
comprising the building. An additional store room was built, also a
rest room, and it is anticipated that the number of patients able to
attend will increase to 35, depending on the staffing situation.
The usual social training has continued as well as the contract work
with two local firms. Four outings were paid to the West End, including
two shows. The patients were given the money, paid their own fares and
bought their own theatre tickets, but went as a party. Two outings were
made to Hastings, and these were greatly enjoyed, as for many of them it
was their only holiday in years.
A Hallowe'en Party was held and was attended by many ex-members who
are now in employment.
The members of the Bishop Creighton Social Club also attended, and
it proved to be a most successful evening. The Christmas Party was also
well attended and enjoyed by ail.
The number of patients who return to work remains at a high level,
and credit must be taken for one patient who was successfully repatriated
to Tanzania, where he is in regular employment and maintains contact with
the staff and with other patients. Another patient was helped to return
to Ireland.
Students from Hammersmith Hospital, Fulham Hospital, the Royal Masonic,
and Banstead Hospitals, visited the Centre as well as social workers and
social work trainees.
College Park Training Centre has 35 places and this year, for the
first time, we accepted young male adults from Fulham Training Centre
who had reached the age of 16 years, to fill 6 of the vacancies. The integration
has been a great success, but cannot be extended further in the
present premises until we have a male member of staff, and more suitable
accommodation. The average daily attendance during the year ended 31st
December, 1970, was 27. All trainees are from the London Borough of
Hammersmith, with the exception of one girl from Camden.
One member of staff left in September to take up a post in another
Borough, but was fortunately replaced after a short interval.
The trainees continue to do industrial work for the same local
firms. Sewing gas mantles, assembling cheese boxes, and packing sandpaper,
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