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Adult Training Centres.—As this Authority does not yet possess
a Training Centre to which the older subnormal patients may go, we have
been allocated a percentage of places at the London Borough of Hillingdon's
Centre, Fountains Mill, Uxbridge. At the end of 1965, the number
of patients attending this Centre was: 25 Males and 20 Females. At the
time of the London Government Re-organisation, there were also several
Harrow patients in attendance at other Adult Training Centres and they
will continue there until such time as Harrow has its own Centre. The
numbers are as follows:—
Brentford Adult Training Centre 2 Males, 1 Female
(Rantons & Co.)
Acton Lodge Adult Training Centre 1 Male
The aim of all Adult Training Centres is to train those attending to
function at their highest possible level, whether it be to work within the
Centre or possibly in outside employment. In this way the trainees become
more independent and are able to lead as full a life as possible.
Work with the adult subnormal is, therefore, of great importance and
it is hoped that, when this Authority has its own Centre, the work may
be continued on even more progressive lines.
Annual Camps.—As in previous years, the Middlesex County Council
made arrangements for a party of children from the Council's Junior
Training Schools and Adult Training Centres to have an annual holiday
during the summer months.
The Junior Camp was held at Park Place School, Henley-on-Thames,
Oxfordshire from 26th July to 9th August. Dr. Fidler, Principal Medical
Officer for Mental Health, was in charge of this camp and fifteen children
from the Harrow Junior Training School were included in the party.
The Adult Camps were held at St. Mary's Bay, Dymchurch, Kent—
the girls' from 20th to 31st August and the boys' camp from 31st August
to 10th September. Ten girls and seven boys from the Harrow area attended
these camps.
Students.—Application is often made by Universities and Colleges
for students to receive practical experience within the mental health field
and also for groups of students to visit and see something of the work
that is carried out by the Borough.
From April to December 1965, 30 such students visited the department.
Research Projects.—There is at the present time considerable
research being carried out by various bodies in order to discover more
about the causes of mental handicap.