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Town Show
Centre members designed and made the Dagenham Association
for Mental Health Town Show exhibit. This exhibit was awarded a
diploma. Remuneration for the work is made over by the Association
to the Day Centre.
Jumble Sales
Two jumble sales were organised at the Centre to augment the
Amenities Fund. This fund helps finance social activities (e.g.
teas, ice creams, beach expenses, etc.) during outings.
Xmas Party
The Centre had a well attended Christmas Party, and this was
the occasion for the first visit of the Director of Social Services.
Gifts, and speeches by Centre members were the order of the day.
There was a large Christmas tree, the hall was decorated and a
discotheque provided the music.
Voluntary Associations
Annually the Borough Council makes a contribution to the local
voluntary associations, viz. the Dagenham Association and the Barking
Association for Mental Health.
The Dagenham Association holds monthly meetings with speakers
to stimulate a public interest in mental health and gives financial
aid to the mentally ill within the Borough. They have also set up
a pre-school play group for the children of mentally ill parents
which operates each morning at St. Elizabeth's Church Hall, Wood
Lane, Dagenham.
The Barking Association holds a weekly club for the mentally
sub-normal and their relatives, arranges a Christmas party to which
our trainees are invited, and has a holiday bungalow at Clacton
for self-catering holidays for the families of the sub-normal.
Westfield Psychiatric Social club
This club meets on one evening per week at the Porters Avenue
Day Centre to assist in the rehabilitation of the mentally ill under
the guidance of the mental welfare officers.
The club had to be closed in May 1969 owing to an acute shortage
of Mental Health Social Workers, and was re-commenced in January 1970
when the staffing position had improved.
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