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as a hostel for psychiatric patients who are sufficiently well
to leave hospital but require a period during which they can
regain their social confidence. Many people either cannot
leave the shelter of a hospital or have to return to it for want
of such rehabilitation facilies. Many others, though they may
never become totally independent, could live outside the
hospital If various types of sheltered accommodation could be
put at their disposal at no or little cost to the Authority.
Burnslde Adult
Training Centre
Burnside Adult Training Centre was completed and occupied
In March 1967 and has proved Itself a very pleasant and well
planned building In use. An official opening ceremony to which
parents were invited was held on 9th June, 1967 and was presided
over by Mrs. G. M. Chamberlain, Chairman of the Mental
Health Service Sub-Committee.
Our endeavour now is to achieve a good balance of work,
training and recreational activities and tailor these to the
capacities and needs of individual trainees. Like many others
in this field, we are convinced that the capacities and potentialities
of at least a large number of the mentally handicapped
are greater than has been realised and require an Imaginative
and flexible approach for their development.
Hyleford
The newly christened Hyleford Junior Training School in
hoped to be in service next summer and should be a very
worthy addition to the best existing provision for mentally
handicapped children, and an exciting stimulus to Its staff.
Council has adopted new designations and pay scales In
keeping with developments In this field.
Goodmayes
A beginning has been made in strengthening the social
work organisation at Goodmayes Hospital which has had to
endure a grave deficiency in this branch of its staff. Mrs. E.
Thompson, the only P.S.W. so far In an establishment for
6 has valiantly undertaken this task. As mentioned above,
virtually nothing can yet be done to assist the psychiatrists
in their out-patient work.
Mental Health
Week
The main event was a conference for School leavers on
"Careers in Social and Mental Health Work", held at Fairlop
School and organised In conjunction with the Youth Employment
Service. This was very well attended by an interested audience,
many of whom, we hope, will become recruits to social work.
Staff
Mr. T. A. Hawley left in the Autumn to take up a poet in
the Borough of Latribeth. Mr. S. H. Maurice, Senior Mental