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In all forms of mental disorder, the individual has developed a sense of social isolation and
eventually is unable to cope effectively with the responsibilities and demands of the business of
living. Many lead intensely lonely lives and have shut themselves away from others. As a consequence
they may have to face rejection by their families and may become confused in the complex social
environment in which we live.
The staff at the Terrace Day Centre work towards the ideal of providing an atmosphere of security
and ultimate acceptance of the duties of everyday life and, where possible, a return to employment.
The staff work closely together as a team. They have meals with the group, give advice and support
to the patients, interview relatives, friends and social workers, and communicate with doctors and
the many agencies concerned with the patients' welfare.
The group is composed of about 50 male and female patients above the age of adolescence. They
are of mixed social status and intelligence presenting all forms of mental disorder other than cases of
frank sub-normality; they work together as individuals in a social setting.
It is necessary to inculcate a sense of punctuality. As attendance is voluntary this may be difficult
especially in the case of schizophrenics, but treatment is largely dependent upon it and is of paramount
importance if transfer to future employment is to be successful.
With some patients it is necessary to build up confidence in travelling to and from the Centre. Some
cases of agoraphobia may have to be accompanied by a relative or social worker at first, until
confidence is established.
Mornings are given over to useful work and quite ill people will often respond in a most gratifying
way, working in a social setting. The Centre is always grateful for contracts for simple industrial tasks,
such as assembling and packing of small articles and collating, stapling, addressing and counting
circulars for mailing. Excellent facilities exist for duplicating typewritten material to order.
The well-equipped carpentry workshop has undertaken various simple repairs to the fabric of the
Centre. The contract to produce racks for postcard display continued in 1970. Various articles have
been made to order such as simple furniture, play centre equipment, etc. One large item this year was
the construction and installation of a counter for the coffee bar set up by the Westminster Council of
Social Services Project in Harrow Road. Orders for woodwork articles continue to be accepted.
Morning is the time for preparing the mid-day meal, an activity which has great therapeutic value.
The patients are allotted to its preparation by rota and are supervised by one of the staff. There is also
a rota for washing-up and tea-making.
The regular task of cleaning and floor polishing throughout the premises is undertaken by members
of the group. The small laundry is at the disposal of the group where they may do their own washing
since many of our patients have no facilities in their lodgings. The Centre's linen is also laundered
here.
A shower bath has now been installed making an appreciated addition to our facilities.
Further activities, which build up reliability and trust, consist of errands for catering supplies,
workshop materials and banking in connection with the management of the Centre.
Money obtained from 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. Slow workers are not
penalised if they are giving of their best. These activities approximate to routine when employment
is eventually undertaken.
Unless occasionally there is a rush order in connection with industrial work, afternoons are given
over to social activities. These variously include films, discussions, play reading, painting and drawing,
musical appreciation, dancing and folk dancing, tape recording and playback, card and quiz games,
table tennis, darts, bingo and mock trials; there have also been talks and discussions from visiting
speakers.
Outings are arranged to places of instruction and recreation, including museums, art galleries,
exhibitions and factories. There are also visits to swimming baths and occasional coach outings to the
coast. Paddington Recreation Ground provides facilities for tennis and putting.
The Terrace Magazine appears regularly every month and it is most encouraging to find how many
patients contribute, exercise their talents and see their names in print.