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persons comfortably and lunches are provided through the School
Meals Service.
Arising from their working together in the workshop, the
handicapped workers have formed a Social Club called the "Penge
Work Centre Social Club". The club meets monthly and is
organised by the handicapped members with the assistance of
voluntary workers. The aim of the club is to provide a social
outlet and friendship for those who attend the work centre. A
variety of entertainment is provided and stemming from the club
have been day outings to places as far apart as Woburn Abbey and
Hastings.
Outwork—With the purchase by the department of a 15 cwt.
Bedford van it was possible at the end of September to commence
a collection and delivery service of outwork. The work is collected
in bulk from local factories and distributed to both Penge Work
Centre and Stembridge Hall and also to individual clients in their
own homes.
A variety of work has been obtained from local firms ranging
from electrical assembly through to simple packing and sorting
work. Apart from its therapeutic value the work enables handicapped
persons to supplement their income.
Long Cane Technique—The Long Cane technique and methods
of mobility and orientation were introduced to the Borough on
the appointment of a qualified Long Cane Instructor in April, 1969.
The Long Cane technique is a systematic approach to mobility for
a blind person which includes orientation, that is making full use
of blind person's hearing, tactile senses, and power to memorise.
The Borough is a pioneer in the provision of mobility training
for the blind. Co-operation has been received from the Education,
Planning and Parks Departments, and full support was also received
from the Kent Association for the Blind. In particular, heads of
local schools and technical colleges have been most helpful in
making their premises available for indoor training. Without such
support, the problems associated with the training programme could
not have been overcome.
The Long Cane will soon become a common sight in the
streets and roads of the Borough.
Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The registers have remained fairly static during the year, but the
number of people using the advisory sessions and the information
service for the hard of hearing has risen substantially. There are
now four monthly advisory sessions for the hard of hearing at
the Old People's Day Centres at Beckenham, Penge, William
Morris Hall. Bromley, and Oxford House, Mottingham.