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Linden House Hostel
The hostel in Linden Road was opened to receive patients in April. The number in residence was
slowly built up to nine and these were taken on holiday to the Isle of Wight by the Warden, and his
wife who was employed as a cook/housekeeper.
Adult Training Centre
The Adult Training Centre opened to admit the first trainees on 16th April 1968, immediately
following the Easter holiday. In the first instance trainees were taken from the eastern side of the
Borough. They included those who had reached the age of 16 years and were still attending junior
training schools. After a brief working-up period to allow the 40 trainees to get to know one another
and for work on installation of the laundry equipment to be completed, the second intake of trainees
was admitted during June. This brought the Training Centre attendances up to 80 trainees. Prior to
opening a meeting was held in March in the Council Chamber between the parents and representatives
of the Council and staff so that various points in connection with the opening could be settled. This
meeting proved most useful and, I feel sure, helped considerably in the smooth manner in which the
Centre commenced to function. The Adult Training Centre has now been running for nine months and
has established itself with a happy environment for the trainees.
Local industry has supported this venture by providing a wide variety of work to be undertaken
at the Centre. This has also contributed to the export drive as some of the work done there has
included special orders required on the Continent. The range of work is varied from simple packing
to complicated soldering coils for computers.
The weekly turnover of the laundry is over 6,000 pieces. Now that the initial problems have
been resolved, more time can be given to the other facets of a training centre such as social training
and elementary teaching. Although this has not been neglected it can now take on a more positive
form. It is intended to hold another meeting with the parents in the early part of 1969 so that the
first year can be reviewed and assessed.
Junior Training Schools
The preparatory work for developing the site on the Broadwater Farm Estate for the proposed
Junior Training School is progressing satisfactorily and I understand from the Architect that the school
should be open in September 1970.
Holiday Camp for Mentally Subnormal Children
Due to the pressure of work placed on the Mental Health Section during the year with the
opening of the Adult Training Centre, Hostel for the Mentally Subnormal and Psycho-geriatric Day
Centre, together with the planning for the proposed Junior Training School, it was feIt that it would
not be feasible for this authority to undertake the running of a camp this year. However, the Enfield
Health Department undertook to organise both the junior and adult camps, which were an unqualified
success.
Residential Accommodation for Long Term Subnormal Patients
This Authority maintained 43 patients in residential homes during the year. The majority are
placed in the Brighton and Hove area where the Guardianship Society boards them out in private
households. It was not necessary to make any compulsory Guardianship placement during the year.
Social Clubs for the Mentally Handicapped
There are still three very active clubs in the Borough providing evening and weekend social
facilities for the mentally handicapped. The "Roundabout" Club meets on Monday evenings at the
Hornsey Centre for Handicapped Children which serves the western part of the Borough, the "Golden
Gateway" Club meets in Lancasterian School on a Wednesday evening and serves the eastern part
of the Borough. On Tuesday the "Doddy" Club for the educationally subnormal holds its meeting at
Earlsmead School. Quite a number of the members belong to all three clubs and lead a very active
social life. Not only do these clubs supply a useful outlet for their members, but they give much
parental relief and provide a focal point in the social life of some parents, for this is the only
opportunity that they have in getting to meet other people and being able to discuss their problems
and enjoy some social intercourse.
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