Local Associations at work 1961 it became apparent work of the Local Associations already existing in a number of cities, towns and country districts, was increasing; and that in where there were no Local areas Associations there were people whose interest had been stimulated by national publicity in the mental health field, and who showed signs of wishing to begin an association. It was also felt that the role of Local Associations was going to become of greater importance following the implementation by local authorities of the 1959 Mental Health Act. The N.A.M.H. therefore decided to create a new Department at Headquarters, which would be particularly concerned with the work of Local Associations. On September 1st, 1961, Mrs. Morgan, who had already been working in the Social Services Department of N.A.M.H. for some years, was apointed Local Associations Organiser. She is responsible to the Local Associations Committee: a standing committee responsible in its turn to the Committee and to the Executive Council of the National Association.

DURING that the

Much

as it was recognised that much variety. Whilst it has always been appreciated that the principal function of a Local Association is to meet local needs, and that these vary enormously from one district to another, it was also felt that it would be of interest to all Local Associations to become aware 01

associations,

variety

there

was

differences between themselves and other localities. A questionnaire was

therefore drawn up to elicit the essential information, and sent out to all thirty-six Local Associations affiliated to the N.A.M.H. Twenty-four replied* From the answers received, a Survey is in preparation which has already

brought points.

to

light

some

interesting

the were formed in of the century, and con'

Six associations

early part

cerned themselves principally w._ mental deficiency. Five more tions came into existence between l/4 and 1960, and the remainder since 1960. Most associations have bee formed at a public meeting, usually arranged by a small, active group interested people. One or two associa' a tions have started and remained small groups of people closely con nected with mental health work.

ass0^ .?_ _

In the early spring of this year, the Local Associations Committee felt that it would be valuable to obtain as clear a picture as possible of the structure and activities of all the existing HO

*Mr. R. E. Parr, secretary of the Cambridgesl[j)e Mental Welfare Association who is compihnS gS_ Survey from the answers received in the Q tionnaires, will speak about it at the meeting representatives of Local Associations on ^ afternoon of Tuesday, November 6th, the before the N.A.M.H. Annual General Mee

Standard constitution

from

Eighteen out of the twenty-four associations who completed the questionnaire have adopted the Standard was which Model Constitution, approved by the Council of the N-A.M.H. in January, 1959, when it was recommended that all newlyformed associations seeking affiliation to the National Association should adopt this constitution. Its terms are Published each year in the Annual Report. Associations pay an affiliation ^ee to the National Association annually for all their members, who then receive direct from it The General Letter, published six times Secretary's a year, and the Annual Report; and are also entitled to a subscription for Cental Health of 7s. 6d. (Nonmembers pay 15s.). It is felt that the Position of Local Associations and the National Association is strengthened the identification obtained by adopting the Standard Constitution.

such

?1,000

is spent

as

patients,

grants

on

to

under

?100.

particular projects and holidays for

the overhead expenses of social clubs for patients, the hire of rooms for meetings and conferences, as well as the general administrative Fundexpenses of the association. raising remains a fairly constant problem with most associations, and follows the usual pattern of charitable organisations. At present, fifteen Local Associations assist with the Mental Health National Appeal Flag Days and Collections, and keep 40 per cent from their collections.

Categories of activities

The activities undertaken by associations fall into three broad categories: work with the mentally ill; work with the subnormal; and education, which includes the promotion of knowledge and a sympathetic understanding of problems of mental illness. Six associaThe membership figures of associa- tions run social clubs for the mentally '?ns vary enormously. Birmingham, ill. East Grinstead has a small hostel 400 torrried in March, 1961, has over for discharged mental hospital patients, rt1enibers, but covers an area with a which provides a half-way house to P?Pulation of over a million. Nine rehabilitation in the community. Other ssociations have memberships ranging associations visit both in hosbetween 100?150. These serve areas pital and at home,patients Christmas and give llh a population of about 200,000, birthday presents and arrange outings Xcept for Friern Barnet with a for them and assist with for Population of only 29.000. It seems relatives visiting hospital.transport Somerset Kely the associations with larger and Ealing are both working towards erubership figures have a greater the establishment of hostels, and are who of members sym- Wirral has helped to promote an interested but do not par- industrial therapy group. actively; and that associations In connection with the subnormal, a u?se membership is still small, and number of associations give a conhave only 10?20 members, siderable degree of financial and praca higher percentage of actively tical support to their local training tested people giving a greater centres, and also run social and youth "'"Portion of their time. clubs and evening classes; and simisubscription for individual larly, as for the mentally-ill patients, ri| varies from 3s. a year to ?1 arrange hospital and home-visiting and year, the most common figure transport. Cambridge has organised a k 5s- Seven associations receive sheltered workshop for subnormal fr?m either their local health men and women living in the comor Education comes largely education authorities for work munity. do f ^ey may ^ave undertaken to through conferences and meetings The annual where the principal speakers are authority. eXn P?nditure of associations ranges usually professional people, film shows

^r?ugh

^r?Portion tphetically ^ClPate ^1116 infVe

p^nibers .

i

over

Money

g'ng

ints

?

141

Some and small discussion groups. associations plan a regular educational programme, usually during the winter. The associations themselves also get requests from other local organisations for speakers on mental health. Ealing, for example, provides speakers to sixth-form schoolchildren.

Twenty-one

associations

reported

that they have obtained excellent help and co-operation from local authorities, regional hospital boards, and other local voluntary organisations. In all cases they receive professional advice in regard to their work with the

and the subnormal, and associations have at least one member on their executive committee who is either a psychiatrist, a doctor or an official of the local health authority or regional hospital board. For further information about the work of the Local Associations, please write to: Local Associations Department, National Association for Mental Health, 39 Queen Anne Street, LonA list don, W.l. of affiliated Associations is published in the N.A.M.H. Annual Report.

mentally-ill most

M.C.

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