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testing year to prove that the centre was viable, and working through the anxieties and
changes inevitable in the setting up and acceptance of such a unit.
1968 has been a more settled year. The centre is being regularly used by hospitals and
other social work agencies in the Islington area. The turnover of patients is regular and the
original aim of the average length of stay being set at 6 months has proved a realistic and
useful one. This prevents the staff from accepting those who obviously needed a lengthier
time for rehabilitation and provides a more immediate goal to work towards for those who may
be inclined to get too dependent.
It has been interesting to note that the centre has contained a considerable diversity
of types of patients and we are still unable to predict what category of patient we would be
most likely to be able to help. In order to have some clearer picture of this, and therefore
be able to provide a better service, we hope to enlist the aid of the Greater London Council's
Research and Intelligence Unit to work out some assessment. It has also been noticed that
there seem to be a group of patients who are referred but never reach the centre, and some
who stay a few days but then leave. We hope the research project may also give us some insight
into what causes this 'drop out'.
The organisation of the centre has varied throughout the year according to the fluctuations
in the type of group attending over a certain period. Their involvement and sense of responsibility
can vary and be built up, but this fluctuation always means that there has to be some flexibility
over the degree of staff support. A meeting is held each morning from 9.45 - 10.00 presided over
by a chairman who is elected by the group each month. This meeting is in general a practical
one to organise the'day and the tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken by the group and
individuals.
The more complicated relationship problems within the group are discussed at the group
meetings now held twice weekly. These hourly meetings provide an opportunity for the discussion
and understanding of difficulties of working and living together as a group, relating these
to similar situations to be coped with at home and on discharge, work etc.
Various activities and projects which have been worked at over the year have included
further work for Task Force, some industrial work, taking over the cleaning of our rooms
from the domestic staff and seeing that as our responsibility. There has been some painting
of chairs for nursery schools in the Borough and next year we expect to be making and mending
toys for these schools as a regular commitment. The interest and group involvement in active
work for Task Force drops noticeably when the average age of the group increases. The younger
group are always keener to help in an active way, the older ones preferring to visit and talk
to the old people.
We have encouraged visitors, and contacts from other centres and the patients are used
to showing medical and social work students, as well as other interested people, around the
centre and describing it's aims in their own terms.
Over the past year there has been an average daily attendance of 12, the numbers varying
from 7 to 16. 42 patients were admitted over the year, 4 of these being readmittances. 10
patients have been discharged.
ARCHWAY CITADEL DAY CENTRE
The aim of this Centre is to help elderly psychiatric patients to lead a more normal
life in the community and, where possible, to prevent or postpone admission to hospital.
The centre is run in conjunction with the Salvation Army who supply the premises and arrange
transport and meals, while the Borough provides the staff. As a beginning there are places
for twelve patients and the centre is open on three days a week. As it did not open until
the end of the year, a progress report cannot yet be given.
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