View report page

62
Psychiatric Day Centre
During most of the year this was situated at 3 Gloucester Road,
Kingston, but as the premises were due for demolition early in 1969,
further accommodation was sought and new premises in Blagdon Road, New
Maiden, will be available by April 1969. During the year 70 patients
attended the day centre for varied periods. The average length of
attendance was 13 weeks, and during the period under review the numbers
attending increased steadily, and in December, 16 were attending the
unit daily. During the year, 21 patients returned to their previous
occupations, 15 were returned to psychiatric care and 16 ceased to attend
of their own accord. At the end of the year 18 were in attendance.
Those who attend the centre are responsible for the catering
arrangements, which work out at a cost of about 2s.0d per head per day.
For those who are in receipt of social security benefit a subsidy of
1s.6d per head per day is granted by the authority.
Discussion groups led by a mental health social worker were
held twice weekly and facilities were made available for interviewing
patients to discuss their personal problems.
Social Club
The social club continues to be popular and the meetings
were transferred to Friday evenings, but in addition, Wednesday afternoons
were made available for social functions. On the Wednesday
afternoon sessions, those who attended were mainly patients who were
already in attendance at the day centre. The patients' committee
undertook the responsibility for arranging programmes and organising
various activities such as the establishment of a secondhand clothing
store for families in financial need, and contacting members who were
ill in hospital or at home. Friday evening socials have continued to
be popular, with an average attendance of 40 members plus their families.
A sale of work was held in November and a total of £72 was raised. It
is pleasing to report that the general public have taken an interest in
the club over the year, and a donation of £25 was made by the Hook
Townswomen's Guild. This donation enabled members to have many social
outings. The Kingston Rotary Club have also taken an interest and
invited members' children to a Christmas party.