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The Faringdon Centre
This Occupation Centre which was opened in 1965, provides
facilities for up to 60 physically handicapped persons per day. At
the end of the year 185 were on the register at the centre, some
who have their own transport, attending daily, others who rely
on the centre vehicles attending twice per week on average.
Against the total of 60 places an average of 52 are taken up
each day.
During 1968, Mr. Forester Morgan who had been the Super
intendent since the opening of the Centre left to join the Spastics
Society and Mr. Curnow, his deputy, was appointed in his place
Mr. P.Calkin was appointed Deputy Superintendent in August, and
Mr. E.Mather joined the staff in July.
Over the year there has been a slight increase in the numbers
of handicapped people attending the centre daily. The centre
was glad to have their new ambulance before Christmas — this
however has not increased the amount of transport available as
we continue to have only two vehicles available for use. This
results in some members having a very short day at the centre
as often the last group do not arrive until after 11.30 a.m. although
the vehicle has been on the road since 8.00 a.m.
There has been some variation in the activities of the
centre and developments in the light commercial work undertaken
resulting from new contracts with a firm specialising in plastics.
The wood-work room has done more work on adapting aids for
individually handicapped people and we hope it will be possible
to develop this side of the work much more.
Lack of space continues to be the main difficulty of the
centre. We hope to be able to develop a small area for use by
the hairdresser and chiropodist during the next year. Other
plans for a quiet room and games area and for increasing the
daily numbers of people attending the centre have to be held in
abeyance until more rooms can be added.
HOUSING THE DISABLED
(a) Purpose Built Dwellings
The problems faced by the severely disabled attempting to
pursue their daily lives with some degree of independence are
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