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Summer School Vacation: Following the successful experiments in previous years, a
further programme of films on health and home safety was arranged throughout August
for groups of young children at three welfare centres; the programme was changed each
week and about 850 children attended. The films were supplemented by various group
participation exercises such as charades and poster drawing competitions. Interesting
results were observed in the poster work interpretations of the instructional films shown
which indicated the value of personal creative involvement in stimulating interest in
educational facets.
Displays: In connection with the national Mental Health Week in June, the Department
arranged a display of work by patients from the three day centres for the mentally ill and
three training establishments for mentally handicapped adults and juniors. The display
was mounted at the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, and was visited by over 2,500
people. The project also included public open days at the junior training schools and
adult centres with films and general publicity directed to encouraging public awareness of
mental disorders and eradicating the prejudice which still seems to be attached to such
conditions.
The Department co-operated with the London Fire Brigade in a Fire Prevention
Exhibition at Jones and Higgins' Stores, Peckham, during three weeks in March. This was
visited by approximately 18,000 people including conducted school parties of 1,300
children.
Home Safety: There were 53 home accident deaths in the Borough during the year and
this was the lowest since the inception of the new London Borough in 1965. This
included 10 accidents on industrial sites and from drowning, the remaining 43 cases are
summarised below:—