Institute for Research into Mental Retardation

Material within the folder refers to the establishment of the Institute for Research into Mental Retardation, from plans for its creation in 1965 until Hilliard's decision to retire from the Board of Governors in 1977. The Institute was a centre of research in the field of mental disabilities. There are copies of the financial reports of the Institute from 1967-1977 (those until 1974 were created by Hilliard in his role as Honorary Treasurer of the Institute until he retired from the position that year). Material concerning both The Spastics Society and the National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children are also evident. The folder also contains building plans for the Institute, reports, letters, memorandums and other material relating to the work conducted by the Institute.

The Institute for Research into Mental Retardation was established in 1966 under the guidance of the National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children [Mencap], who also funded the Institute to the cost of £5,000 for each of the first three years and provided further financial support thereafter. The Institute was a library and centre of research in the field of mental disabilities and was also a registered charity. The Institute changed its name to the Institute for Research into Mental and Multiple Handicaps in 1973/1974 due to a broadening of its scope to include research into the causes of multiple handicaps as well as mental retardation. This move led to collaboration with The Spastics Society [Scope] who provided an additional source of income for the institute. The Department for Health and Social Security also provided regular funding.