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89
VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS
For our service to function efficiently it is essential to have
community support. The voluntary bodies give this support in a
very constructive way and at every level work closely with our
officers.
Orpington Mental Health Association made great strides in 1969
by the opening in March of Anchor House. Serving as headquarters
for the Association, Anchor House runs day and evening
activities and accepts people from a wide area. Education is
provided through meetings and lectures on mental health and
allied subjects and these are very popular. The success of Anchor
House is evidenced by a steadily increasing membership, its
excellent attendances at all social events, and by its successful
fund raising activities.
Beckenham Association for Mental Health continues to provide
club activities and practical support to the mentally ill and their
relatives.
Bromley Society for Mentally Handicapped Children became a
member of Bromley Association for the Handicapped, wishing to
ally themselves with physically handicapped rather than with the
mentally disordered. The Society launched widely ranging activities
and proposed a joint project with the authority to provide
a hostel for mentally handicapped children.
Clubs. In the previous Annual Report, reference was made to
various Clubs. This year a comprehensive table has been prepared
to provide all information "at a glance".
Traditionally the role of voluntary organisations is to complement
and/or supplement the services provided by central or
local government. This role, however, often extends far beyond
these limits. With the blurring of division between those who help
and those who are helped, the problem of "they" and "us" does
not arise and every person makes his contribution to the involvement
of the community.
As an officer of the Section informally comes in on most of
the voluntary societies' activities, he is seen in his true role—
as a professional from another helping agency. The concept of
a caring community is further strengthened.
CONCLUSION
1969 has been an exciting year for many reasons. Our first
major project (Woodbrook) became operational. The Service
expanded in width and depth, and policy and procedures are
being noticed by other local health authorities.
Never flagging efforts to maintain steady growth of the
Service will continue.