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this scheme were officially recognised when a Ministry Welfare
Officer agreed that these ventures had prospered and that the
practicability of such schemes had been proved.
Once again, owing to lack of suitable transport, there was
difficulty in admitting as many physically handicapped persons
as we would have liked. Vacant places could always have been
filled by the mentally ill but this would have disturbed the
balance and efficacy of mixed groups and thereby vitiated our
agreed policy.
Seaside outings, Christmas parties and visits to the theatre have
been arranged by both Centres.
Federation Centre
Progress at the Centre, established in 1968 for 60 mentally ill
and physically handicapped persons, was maintained and interest
sustained by the variability of the work which has been mainly
contract woodwork such as interwoven fencing, scissor racks,
display frames, repairs to department's office furniture, making
of aids for the physically disabled and some simple carding and
display of stationery supplies.
Our aim to introduce two lathes in 1969 was again circumvented
during the current year by difficulties with the District
Surveyor and owners of property regarding the provision of an
external store.
River dale Centre
This Centre, also established in 1968 for 45 mentally and
physically handicapped persons, besides having to cope with
premises which are somewhat less than ideal, caters for the more
chronic type of physically handicapped and, therefore, cannot
hope to make substantial advances. However, it does meet the
needs of a number of persons and the more severely handicapped
young are accommodated in a separate room and provided with
special care. A small group of chest cases also uses this Centre
one afternoon each week.
Persons attending the Centre do so mainly on a one, two or
three day basis although a few attend for five days per week.
Because the capability of these people is lower than that at the
Federation Centre, work is restricted to carding and display of
stationery supplies, wiring, soldering, making electrical lamp
shades and electric light sockets, and repair and repainting of
roadwork signs.
A trainee social worker is present daily to assist and a qualified
teacher from the I.L.E.A. attends for two sessions per week.