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Mentally Subnormal
Crispin House Adult Training Centre
This purpose-built centre which can accommodate 180 trainees from about
16 years of age continued into its second year of operation. The training programme,
designed to provide education and general social integration, domestic
science and its specific social problems, workshop training and its specific
social problems, was further developed. Attendance payments were introduced at
this Centre, too, and consisted of 5p daily which, together with a daily merit
bonus of between 5p and 20p gave a weekly maximum of £1.25.
Arrangements made with the Inner London Education Authority enabled
twice-weekly Evening Classes and a Club to commence at Crispin House during
March. Normal Centre staff, who received appropriate fees from the Inner London
Education Authority, acted as instructors at the classes which commenced after
a short tea break at the end of the Centre's normal afternoon sessions. The
evening classes provided a wide range of subjects including model making
handicrafts and country dancing.
Hostels
Dover Lodge with places for 12 subnormal girls and Gibson House accommodating
12 subnormal youths continued to provide residential facilities. The
girls and youths either had outside employment during the day or attended Crispin
House Adult Training Centre. A special theatre visit, followed by a party at
Dover Lodge, was arranged for the girls at Christmastide; the youths also had
their own Christmas celebrations.
Out Patients Clinic
The out-patient clinic for subnormal adults continued to be held on one
afternoon at fortnightly intervals at Crispin House. The clinic was again staffed
by two consultants from Darenth Park Hospital.
Kirkwood Junior Training School
Kirkwood Junior Training School, Kirkwood Road, S.E.15 continued in
operation throughout the year. Mid-day meals for the children were again provided
from Inner London Education Authority school kitchens. Special coach
outings to local parks were arranged for the children accompanied by staff on
five half-days and two whole days during the Summer term.
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