View report page

During the year 136 fresh cases were dealt with, 10 of whom
were deemed to be not certifiable under the Acts. Of the remaining
126 a large percentage were recommended for admission to an
Institution in order that they could receive appropriate training
and care. In addition to the 2 patients placed under guardianship
by order of a Judicial Authority, there are 2 females in the care
of guardians, one on licence from an Institution, and the other
placed direct from her home. The woman who is on licence has
been with her guardian since 1928, and is doing quite well. After
a period of training for domestic service, she was fortunate enough
to secure a position at the local hospital, and while not yet receiving
a very large wage, it is hoped that she will improve and be
worthy of better hire.
SOUTH OCKENDON COLONY.
On the 5th of May, 1932, the first part of the South Ockendon
Colony was officially opened by the Mayor (Alderman J. T.
Scoulding, J.P.). This portion comprises 3 villas, which have
been adapted to accommodate 134 patients (44 adult males, 40
juvenile males, 30 adult females, and 20 juvenile females) and a
portion of the staff (some having to live out). Patients were
admitted as soon as the various legal formalities were completed
and quickly settled down to their new life.
Owing to the fact that no workshops or schoolrooms have
yet been provided, the training and occupation of the patients is
presenting some difficulty. The best use, however, is being made
of the means at the disposal of the staff, and it is surprising how
quickly the patients respond to training. Approximately a dozen
male adults are employed regularly on the farm attached to the
Colony, and they are proving very useful indeed. A number of
the others are engaged in the ward cleaning and gardening, under
the supervision of the staff. One of the men patients, who was
transferred from a London County Council Institution and had
been trained as a shoemaker, has proved very useful, and is able
to do practically all the shoe repairs for the colony. He is teaching
a fellow patient, and they are making good progress together.
This is a very good example of the benefit some of these cases
obtain from proper training. The women patients are taught
knitting and plain sewing, and with assistance are able to do
practically all the repairs to clothing. The boys are occupied in
very simple tasks, and are taught counting, to recognise colours,
crayon drawing, and the older boys plasticine modelling. The
giris are employed similarly to the boys, and are also taught bead
sewing and simple household work. In addition to these lessons,
rug-making, raffia and basket work are also taught.
Steps are being taken to provide suitable workshops, and it
is hoped that when these are completed, better and more efficient
training will be arranged.
133