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63
those intending to return to the field of employment. This,
together with the exercise of self-catering with regard to the midday
meal, and the various individual craft work and group activities,
thus provides the members with the range of situations and challenges
that they need to meet if full recovery is to be achieved.
During 1969 fifty-one persons were admitted to the centre,
the majority of referrals coming from Kingston Hospital Psychiatric
Unit, Day Hospital and out-patients clinics. Throughout the year,
seventeen patients returned to employment, five to household duties
and three were referred to Government Training Centres. Close liaison
with the local Disabled Resettlement Officer of the Department of
Employment and Productivity was extremely valuable with regard to
the placement of these patients.
Seven patients returned to the hospital psychiatric unit
and four to the day hospital. In addition, nine patients ceased to
attend of their own accord and were followed up by mental health
social workers.
These figures point to the undoubted success of the unit and
certainly justify the building of a new day centre when the site on
which the existing temporary building is used for another development
by the authority.
Social Club
The Horizon Social Club, which is held at the Blagdon Road
Day Centre each Friday evening continues to thrive. A committee of
patients, with a co-opted mental health social worker as adviser, plan
the programme and have for the first time introduced an opinion poll
with regard to the programme content, thus enabling them to provide
activities in line with the needs and wishes of the members. The
secondhand clothing store established last year by the members for
families in financial need has proved most valuable.
Community interest in the club continues with the Kingston
Rotary Club inviting the members' children to a Christmas party, and
the Surbiton Women's Guild (Evening Branch) donated £22.