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purpose-built centre, Astley, now under construction at Magpie
Hall Lane, Bromley. It is anticipated that this new centre which
will provide 120 places, will be ready for use by September, 1971.
As well as providing for those at present attending the
Orpington centre, it will accommodate those Bromley residents
who are at present attending the Kent County Council Adult
Training Centre at Swanley and still allow some places for natural
growth.
As there is no upper age limit for attendance at an adult
training centre, it will be seen that considerably more places will
ultimately be required than can be provided at Astley. Provision
has, therefore, been made in the capital building programme for
a further adult training centre of 120 places for the year 1973/74.
Day Centre Facilities—Stembridge Hall
Stembridge Hall Day Centre situated in Stembridge Road,
S.E.20., was opened in September, 1967, in a small Council owned
property. It provides rehabilitation for approximately 20 adults
of either sex who are or have been suffering from some form of
mental disorder and who need to spend a period working in
sheltered and supervised conditions before returning to open
employment.
Attendance is from 9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays
and the importance of punctual and regular attendance is stressed
as a pre-requisite for open employment.
The work done in the centre consists mainly of light assembly
and packaging which is done under contract with commercial
firms, but limited facilities are provided for clerical work and
typing where these are more appropriate. Recently, a weekly
class in household management has been started. Periods are
also devoted to social rehabilitation and discussion of matters of
current interest.
In addition to its primary function of rehabilitation for open
employment it has been found that attendance at the centre is
most useful in assessing the work potential of a person and this
is valuable in planning his or her continuing care.
The experience of Stembridge Hall has confirmed the need
for some provision for those, who while able to work in a sheltered
and supportive environment, will continue to need this for an
indefinite period or even for the rest of their working lives. For
these people, a 100 place "sheltered workshop" is also planned for
the year 1973/74.
Preliminary work is in progress to site the sheltered workshop
in an industrial redevelopment area of the borough on a large site
shared with other departments and thought has been given to the