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Schemes to replace unsatisfactory premises reached various stages during the year.
Plans were prepared for the adaptation of Cornwall House, Bethnal Green, during 1956,
and for the erection of a new permanent centre for 120 children on a site in Perry Rise,
Lewisham, in 1957, each to replace two centres in east and south London respectively.
A scheme was also in preparation for the adaptation of the former Balham day nursery
premises as a permanent centre to replace the Battersea elder boys' centre. Arrangements
were also approved to transfer the Brixton junior centre to better premises at Herne
Hill at Easter, 1956, and arrangements to open an additional elder girls' centre at
Greenwich in 1956 were under consideration.
To cope with increased attendances, additional coaches were hired. Nineteen coaches
now serve the junior and elder girls' centres.
Transport
Various functions were held during the year to show to parents and friends the
work and activities carried out at the centres. Receipts for articles made and sold at the
centres amounted to approximately £41 at junior centres, £121 at elder girls' centres,
and £576 (including £132 for shoe repairs) at elder boys' centres, where some small
apparatus and equipment for other centres were also made.
Open days
and sales of
work
Ail staff, and all detectives over 15 years or age attending centres, had chest X-ray
examinations. One case of active tuberculosis was discovered and the boy concerned
was excluded and is now under treatment.
Chest X-ray
examinations
199 children and adults, of whom 81 necessitous persons received free or assisted
holidays, participated in the annual holiday at a seaside camp. Some centres organised
day outings to the sea or country, or visits to a circus or pantomime. Facilities were
provided for periodic visits during the summer months to local parks for recreation
or sports. Elder boys' centres organised inter-centre cricket and football matches.
Christmas parties were held at all centres.
Holidays,
outings and
parties
Gifts of money to provide extra amenities at several centres were given by parents'
groups and other persons.
Gifts
Parties of students from various organised courses of training, and interested persons
from other authorities and countries, visited the centres during the year. The usual
annual reports on the centres by Inspectors of the Board of Control were received and
centres were also visited by members of the Mental Health Sub-Committee. Members
of divisional health committees also attended some centre functions.
Visits to
centres
Eleven staff who attended the two-year part-time course of training organised by
the National Association for Mental Health, which commenced in September, 1953,
completed the course and were awarded the Association's Diploma. A further course
on similar lines commenced in September, 1955, in which thirteen occupation centre
Staff—
courses of
training
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