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The main aim of this workshop is to give a more concentrated training
to selected trainees including those on the borderline for placement in
open employment, and to encourage them to earn a higher wage than would be
possible in an ordinary training centre. It is hoped that some cases will
progress to open employment including some of those who previously found
such employment beyond them by reason of immaturity, including lack of work
habit. It was agreed that all the trainees placed at the Workshop would
receive every encouragement to be self reliant including being able to travel
to and from their homes on their own. Where trainees have need to use
public transport their fares are paid.
Prior to the inception of this scheme consultations took place with
D.R.O.'s of the Ministry of Labour and staff of the Youth Employment Service
who had a particular interest in the welfare of young people leaving Bentry
School for the educationally sub-normal.
By the end of the year, despite the 'pull' of the 'glamour' of the
magnificent new adult training centre, the workshop with a small but
enthusiastic staff had got under way and had begun to seek and obtain fresh
contacts for work in competition with the other training centres located in
neighbouring boroughs as well as our own Adult Centre.
Hostel for the Mentally Sub-normal
At the beginning of the year it was a great comfort to know that a start
had been made upon this project which is situated in the Gascoigne
Redevelopment Area at the junction of Cobham and King Edwards Road. This hostel
will provide 25 sorely needed places but it will only meet about half the known
need. It was agreed therefore, that in view of the proposal to close York
House as a Nurses' Home in the reorganisation of the Domiciliary Midwifery
and District Nursing Service that it should be adapted to provide a second
hostel for the Mentally Sub-normal in the Eastern end of the town.
Work of the Mental Welfare Officers
During the year 318 patients were referred to the mental health service.
Mentally Mentally
I11 Sub-Normal
Referred by general practitioners 1
Referred by hospitals on discharge .98 3
Referred by hospitals after or during
out-patient or day treatment 38 2
Referred by Local Education Authority 3 25
Referred by police and courts 3 1
Referred by other sources:e.g.
neighbours, relatives, Ministry
of Social Security and other social
and welfare agencies, inward transfers
from other areas 89 12
274 44
44