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At the Terrace the staff work as a team in close association with the patients, working with them,
listening and giving advice and support, having meals together, interviewing relatives, friends and
social workers and also communicating with doctors and the many agents who are concerned
with the welfare of the patients.
We accept patients of all groups from adolescence onwards, both male and female who work
together in a social group. It happens that we have about equal numbers of men and women
with a total roll of 50 at one time. The statistical table (Table 46, page 102) gives a picture of the
composition and results achieved.
The daily routine is always directed towards the individual in a social setting. The mornings
are given over to simple industrial work or work in the well equipped carpentry shop in the basement.
All domestic duties are shared on rota and include shopping for the midday meal, and for
the many items needed during the day.
The midday dinner is prepared by the patients under supervision of one of the staff. There is
great therapeutic value to be derived from working together in the kitchen. There is also a rota
for washing up and tea making. The regular task of cleaning and polishing floors is also undertaken.
We also do our own laundry work and members of the group may use the laundry for their own
personal washing.
There are errands to be undertaken in connection with our industrial work, supplies for the
workshop and also trips to the bank. These activities help to build up confidence and trust.
Our industrial work in the mornings varies and depends on our success in negotiations with
various firms and organisations, and we are constantly in need of new contacts. During the year
we have had work involving collating, stapling, addressing, packing and counting circulars for a
number of organisations. We have assembled ball-point pens, and packed articles for the post such
as stockings, cameras etc. Money obtained for this outwork is distributed to members of the group
on a points system. The payments are small but do act as an incentive for punctuality and interest.
We do not penalise the slow workers if they are obviously giving of their best. These activities
approximate to the routine when employment is eventually undertaken.
The kitchen from time to time is engaged in jam and marmalade making to the tune of several
hundred pounds and before Christmas many puddings were produced. These items always find
a ready sale.
The workshop has undertaken repairs to the fabric at the Terrace and provided extra cupboards
etc. There has been continued production of racks for holiday postcards which are dispatched to
many holiday centres. Furniture has been repaired for individual orders and large display cabinets
made for the Centre. The workshop is also employed in making equipment and toys for the City
Council's Health Department. Various articles can be made to order such as bath seats for the
disabled.
The garden although small is tended by those of our members who show themselves interested
and involves the usual care and lawn mowing.
Unless there is a rush order in connection with the industrial work, the afternoons are devoted
to social activities and outings.
The social activities are many and include discussions, musical appreciation, films, tape recording
and play back, dancing and folk dancing, play-reading, drawing and painting, charades, card games,
bingo, quiz games, mock trials, table tennis and darts. We have also had cosmetic demonstrations,
fashion design sessions and visiting speakers.
Regular outings have been made to factories, art galleries, museums and exhibitions. Use is
made of Paddington Green for outside games and the Paddington Recreation Ground for tennis.
Visits have also been made to the swimming baths.
The Terrace Magazine has appeared every month and we have been rewarded by the number
of patients who have contributed.
Many members were anxious to help on Mental Health Flag Day and some also did house to
house collecting.