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attending at Federation. In fact, output is slower than that obtained
by those attending our adult training centres. These people present
an absenteeism problem and, generally speaking, one needs to
have three times as many people on the register as will actually
attend. Again, we have had difficulty in admitting as many
physically-handicapped persons as we would have liked due to
lack of transport.
The more severely handicapped group, previously at St. Saviour's
Church, Middle Park Avenue, moved to Riverdale at the beginning
of 1969. They are accommodated in a separate room from the
other persons and a woman attendant has been appointed to care
for them and their feeding and toilet needs. A trainee social
worker is present daily to assist and a qualified teacher from the
Inner London Education Authority attends for two sessions per
week.
Mixing the physically handicapped and the mentally ill is an
experiment which has proved most successful, for the readiness
of these persons with differing handicaps to assist each other has
resulted in substantial mutual benefit.
Social Rehabilitation Centre, Ormiston Road
Club facilities are provided for general classes of physically
handicapped persons on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday of each week. Each person attends for a half-day session,
either morning or afternoon once a week. On Tuesday there is
a full-day session for partially sighted persons.
In addition to normal Centre activities, special classes in
handicrafts and art are held with the assistance of Instructresses
provided by the Inner London Educational Authority.
This Centre continues to be used to its fullest capacity although
since the opening of the Combined Centres the tendency has been
for people in the older ranges to be concentrated here. Hopes are
that this will be rectified next year for there are plans to have the
full-time services of a qualified occupational therapist to institute
a progressive programme of therapy.
A maximum of 14 persons are able to attend each session and
everyone is provided with a mid-day meal. At present there is a
waiting list for admission to the Centre.
St. Saviour's Centre jor Handicapped Young People
On an average, 11 severely handicapped young people attend
this centre which meets each Monday, Thursday and Friday in
the Youth Club at St. Saviour's Church Hall, Eltham. Lunches
are served at midday.