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29.2.3 Schools and colleges of further education in the Borough made use of speakers
from Health Department; films were shown and subsequent discussions held. Dr. Derek
Miller of the Tavistock Clinic gave a talk to tutors at Holborn College of Law and
Languages on the problems of young people. Kingsway College for Further Education
was provided, at the authorities' request, with a speaker for an hour daily for the duration
of the Week to address five different groups of day release students. This was undertaken
by mental health social workers and the sessions were lively and interesting.
There was also a well attended 'open day' at the Fitzroy Industrial Centre on 12th June.
29.2.4 Although assessment of any form of communication must always be regarded
as difficult.it is felt that as a result of these activities the public is now better informed
about the problems of the mentally ill and the mentally handicapped, and about the help
the community can give to them.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
29.3 In 1967, 678 talks and lectures were given by the professional staff to 12,664
people. These figures increased in 1968 to 703 and 15,086 respectively. 764 visual
aids were loaned during 1968 compared with 793 in 1967.
DENTAL HEALTH
29.4 Mr. Peter Picton ('Pierre the Clown'), who is a trained health educator, visited
22 junior schools in 1967 and met some 7,500 children. He was successful in establishing
a worthwhile link with the primary schools throughout the Borough.
OIL HEATER SAFETY
29.5 A campaign designed to meet the problem of oil heater safety was mounted in
the autumn and winter of 1967-1968, including talks and demonstrations to old people's
clubs in Camden.
NOISE NUISANCE
29.6 Noise nuisance was similarly approached, and in 1968 support was given to
the Local Government Information Office Campaign against neighbourhood noise. This
included the production of display units which were widely used throughout the Borough.
SMOKING AND HEALTH
29.7 An essay and poster competition on the subject of 'smoking and health' was
promoted in 1967 by the Health Education and Home Safety Advisory Committee of the
Council in order to draw the attention of school-children to the dangerous aspects of
smoking. Savings stamps were presented to the prize-winners by the Mayor. We continued
to direct a special effort in the schools in 1968, particular stress being laid on primary
education in an attempt to inculcate correct attitudes before children had started to
smoke.
MASS RADIOGRAPHY
29.8 The health education section was intensively involved in the 196 7 compaign.
MEDICINES WITH CARE
29.9 A mobile exhibit 'Medicines - With Care', was purchased from the Pharmaceutical
Society of Great Britain. The exhibit, illustrating the dangers of unsafe handling and
storage of medicines, was on show at all maternal and child welfare centres during 1967.
SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY
29.10 In a number of centres and clubs in the Borough, health education directed to
the special needs of older people was carried out in 1967. Our experience has been
that the showing of one or two teaching films (supported where necessary by a brief
discussion and questions) included in a film show of general interest is the most
successful type of programme. Geriatric visitors have reported that the results of these
health education efforts are often observed at subsequent home visits.
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