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Courbevoie Last June a most enjoyable fortnight was spent
in France by a group of 24 old people. They stayed at the
Chateau de Tillet, a home for old people, at the invitation of
Southwark's twin town, Courbevoie. They were feted by the civic
authorities and taken on conducted tours to interesting places,
and deeply appreciated their warm welcome.
Special Holidays Individual holidays have been organised
for the handicapped and those who could not be taken into the
ordinary homes,mainly through the good offices of the Bermondsey
Medical Mission at Bexhill; others went to Clacton. Altogether
nine people were accommodated in this way, but it is difficult
to arrange holidays for the handicapped until more homes are
available.
WROKSHOP
With the advent of the 4th year of Workshop activities in
the Welfare Centre the number of members now employed daily
amounts to 60,separated into morning and afternoon sessions; the
work from outside suppliers maintains a more or less reasonable
level with a variety of items to keep workshop members constantly
busy. It should be noted that during the last two or three months
the male members of the workshop personnel have increased from 4
members of long standing to 12. In view of the shyness of male
members to join workshops in the past, this is encouraging.
Within the Workshop organisation itself, a pilot visiting
scheme has been successfully achieved whereby contact is kept with
other Workshop members who may be homebound or under hospital
care for a number of reasons. As a result of the visits the
members are able to ascertain the imnediate requirements of their
colleagues to ensure that all their needs are catered for if
humanly possible.
From the view point of continued therapeutic and psychological
treatment for rehabilitation after hospitalisation of
potential or existing workshop members,constant discussions with
the Medical Social Workers of the hospitals concerned have proved
useful in determining any special requirements in understanding
what is wanted to build up the ego of the person in question by
the application of physical effort combined with an atmosphere
wherein they are encouraged to expand themselves.
As a break from workshop routine, two outings were arranged
for workshop members during the year, one to Southsea and one to
the Wembley Ice Show to see 'Ali Baba on Ice' both outings being
throughly enjoyed by the participants.
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