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If employment in industry is not possible the handicapped
person is provided for in a purpose-built occupation
centre at Faringdon Avenue. This sixty-place centre,
opened in November, 1965, provides facilities for social
contact and occupation of physically handicapped persons
and a variety of activities are undertaken: handicraft,
light industry contract work, printing, photography,
gardening, etc.
The period from the opening until December, 1965,
was one of settling in, but the number of pensons who
could attend was limited by the lack of transport. The
Council recognised this and an order was placed for a
further larger vehicle which should be available by the
middle of 1966. A more comprehensive report of the
work of this Centre will be contained in the Annual
Report for 1966.
(ii) Housebound handicapped persons can undertake outwork
through normal commercial channels, or occupational
therapy, and the Borough is fortunate in having an
Occupational Therapist on their staff, who reports as
follows :—
(i) Domiciliary Service
There were 73 on the register during this period, during
which 232 domiciliary visits were made, and 60 other
visits. A number of the people were subsequently transferred
to the Occupation Centre when it opened. Some
people were not eligible for Occupational Therapy at
home as they were already attending the Hospital Department.
Some were not suitable or did not wish to enter
the scheme. Others needed intensive work to prepare them
for work at the Centre.
(ii) Residential Homes
There were 33 on the registers, with weekly classes
being held at each of two homes. The numbers at these
classes fluctuated at first, but an active group was working
in each home. This work would not have been possible
to carry out without the assistance of three students
from the Ardleigh College of Further Education, who
assisted at 'The Willows'. There is a real need for regular
assistance in this project.
(iii) Occupation Centre
Visits were made to help set up looms, to advise and
assist in the Handicrafts Section, and to help in any other
way possible during the first few months while the centre
was getting under way.
There is scope for expansion in this O.T. service
which could only be undertaken with further regular
assistance.
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