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RICHMOND AVENUE DAY CENTRE
This thirty place centre has been full to capacity throughout the year. Although a large
number of our clients are long-stay there is always a certain amount of turnover, so it is
possible for new applicants to be fitted in from time to time. There have been twenty-seven
new admissions during the year and, out of the twenty-four who have left for various reasons,
thirteen have returned to full-time work.
The arrangement has continued whereby three places have been set aside for the use of
long-stay patients from Friern Hospital. Although one or two of these patients have, after a
trial, proved unsuitable for a community based day centre, some have managed to persevere with
the daily journey by public transport to and from hospital; five of these Friern patients have
now left us to take up outside employment. One Friern patient has, after a period at Richmond
Avenue, managed to leave hospital and cope with life in a hostel. This is quite an achievement
after nearly twenty-five years in hospital.
As this is largely an industrial centre, every effort is made to introduce as much variety
of work as possible. In addition to our usual packing and assembly work we have recently been
fortunate in obtaining a catalogue despatch job for one of the large London stores. This
involves working in close co-operation with the G.P.O. It is a rush job which will occur
regularly for a short period three times a year. Everyone in the centre is able to participate
and the general feeling is that although it would be unacceptable to work continually under
pressure, it is stimulating to have three short periods in the year when maximum effort is
required; morale is high during these periods.
Day centres still being something of a novelty, we have had our usual stream of visitors,
doctors, medical students, social workers and others; the interest taken in the centre's
activities is an encouragement to both staff and clients.
Occasional outings have been arranged including two visits to the coast during the summer
months which were well attended and there was 100% attendance at the annual party at Christmas.
A successful jumble sale was held at the centre, the proceeds of which were used to
purchase a snooker table. This is very popular during the lunch hour and at, the evening club.
A social club is run on the premises weekly from 4.30 to 9.00 p.m. for those clients and
relatives who feel the need for social activity connected with the centre.
In addition to this, patients' relatives have the opportunity to meet one another regularly
at the centre on one evening a month. They seem to derive some support and encouragement from
these gatherings, which help them to realize that others besides themselves have the problem
of caring for a mentally sick relative. The centre supervisor and mental health social worker
are present at the meetings.
Very close contact is maintained between the day centre and the mental health social
workers, one particular social worker acting as liaison officer and working closely with the
supervisor. She visits the centre weekly to discuss new entrants and any special problems that
may arise.
There is usually a waiting list for this centre, and it is planned to admit extra patients
as soon as an additional member of staff can be appointed.
PINE STREET DAY CENTRE
This short-term psychiatric day centre opened in January, 1967, as part of the development
in community mental health resources. It was conceived as an experimental treatment unit to
provide rehabilitation in terms xxf working and social relationships and to make full use of
the group setting.
The first year was largely spent in setting up and organising the centre, working out a
suitable referral system and building up our communications with referral sources. This was a
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