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Stepping Stones Club's history of success has been heavily
dependent on the unselfish contribution and interests of its "voluntary"
members. This has been further helped by the Hospital
Service taking a keen interest in the form of referral and giving
unlimited support to the club. A further step forward in the
club's aim to provide facilities was when the Local Authority
Mental Health Service was invited to give its support to the club.
This development brought about the unification of all resources
to provide a better service for the mentally disordered in the
Bromley District.
Stepping Stones Club has been running for over 13 years, and
is now playing -a prominent role in the overall treatment of some
psychiatric patients. It is a bridge between the traditional institution
and the community, a bridge which allows the patient to
move progressively from the shattering effects of "illness' to a
normal life in the community. The club not only facilitates a
movement towards normal life, but it also gives unlimited support
to those who become afflicted, thus decreasing a deterioration
trend towards further mental breakdown. This is made possible
because members are sufficiently interested in each other to give
a helping hand or to seek professional help when they feel that
their "friends" do not seem well.
250 MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED THE CLUB AT LEAST ONCE A
MONTH DURING THE PERIOD APRIL 1969—March 1970
Classification of Illness
1. Schizophrenic States:
Acute 15
Chronic 9
Paranoid 3
— 27
2. Affective States:
Mania -
Depression 35
Manic/Depressive 4
Affective disorder 27
— 66
3. Neuroses:
— 26