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Centre's Occupational Therapist returned to take up her duties and
the locum left to become Supervisor in another Day Centre. The waiting
list did not decrease until November/December. The major problem
experienced within the Centre during the year has been the difficulty
of having to cope with several different types of mentally ill patients
at the same time. Referrals fall into four groupings:-
1. Adolescents
2. Adult neurotics
3. Adult psychotics
4. Elderly mentally infirm
Facilities and staffing have proved inadequate when tackling
this problem. It appears that in many cases this problem reflects
the lack of preventative measures available to the community in the
past. This applies particularly to groups 1 and 2 above. The proposed
annexe to the Day Centre will help resolve its internal management
problem where these groupings are concerned.
During the year the need of a hostel or similar accommodation
for the mentally ill has become apparent. Looking ahead, at least
one third of Centre members will have the need in the event of loss
of parent(s) or spouse.
Centre Report
In October 1970 Centre staff completed a report covering the
previous two and a half years of Centre activity. This report
contained statistics, information, and recommendations useful for
future policy.
Visiting Groups
The Centre was visited again in February by students and
lecturers from the Chiswick Polytechnic. The function and aim
of the Centre was described by Centre staff, questions were dealt
with, and afterwards the visitors freely intermingled with all
centre members. The centre is also visited from time to time by
social workers and students from Warley Hospital.
Holiday for Centre Members
Centre members who had not been on holiday for many years
spent one week at Westgate-on-Sea, Kent. The holiday was organised
by the Dagenham Association for Mental Health in conjunction with
the Borough's Health Department. One member of the Day Centre staff
participated alongside voluntary workers from the Association. This
was a pilot scheme and proved very successful. A family consisting
of husband, wife and two children took part.
Outings
Five outings were arranged for members through the year. One
day trip to the seaside, two London theatre performances, a barge
sailing trip into the North Sea, and one country coach tour.
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