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166
Holidays
Summer holidays are arranged for all categories of handicapped
persons, either directly or in conjunction with voluntary organisations
or by assisting with holidays privately arranged by the
persons concerned.
During the year 427 applications were received of which 122
were subsequently withdrawn or cancelled, mainly on account of
illness. Eventually 305 holiday places were allocated thus showing
an increase of 26 over the previous year's figure. Of these, 138
together with 18 fit spouses were accommodated at the Little
Oyster Holiday Centre, Minster, Isle of Sheppey, where two
periods, each of a fortnight, were booked by the Borough.
During the holidays at this Centre, attention to the personal care
of the handicapped persons was provided by voluntary helpers
including "Task Force", the British Red Cross Society, the
Directorate's own staff and private individuals. Daily entertainment
was arranged by the Holiday Centre staff and this included outings
to various parts of Kent including Aylesford Priory, Canterbury,
Heme Bay and the hop gardens.
One of the Department's tail-lift coaches was available throughout
the holiday, and this proved of immense value in ensuring that
the more severely handicapped were enabled to participate in most
of the activities.
Christmas and New Year Parties
A total of 250 persons attended Christmas and New Year Parties
arranged by the Directorate at Sherard Hall, Court Road, Eltham,
at Maze Hill Training Centre and at the Minor Hall in the Municipal
Buildings, Royal Hill.
Christmas Shopping Expedition
Many handicapped people are virtually homebound. Many
others have extreme difficulty in shopping, particularly at times of
the year when the pavements and shops are exceptionally crowded.
Therefore, as in previous years, to enable these persons to shop
in comparative comfort a Christmas shopping expedition to central
Woolwich for about 160 was organised for Wednesday, 18th
November. Seven of the larger shops remained open between 5.30
and 7.30 p.m. and their staffs, who worked voluntarily and without
pay, showed extreme kindness and courtesy to the shoppers.
Moreover, four of these stores provided refreshments without
charge and the R.A.C.S. allowed us free use of their car park.
Whilst handicapped persons were encouraged to make their own
way to the shops and 20 managed to do so, some with the aid of