View report page

Queens Road trainees have also been visiting local places of interest including
Vestry House Museum and Queen Elizabeth Museum, Chingford.
In September a variety of articles were entered in Waltham Forest Exhibition for
Handicapped Persons and again won many 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes.
In February all Birkbeck trainees went to the Wembley Ice Show to their delight.
During this year Birkbeck have been a party in starting a football league and cup
competitions amongst Training Centres in Essex and also took part in an Athletics competition
between Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest which they won.
In the latter part of the year they have started an afternoon for games, hobbies and
outings. This has greatly improved the social side of the Centre, helping the trainees to mix
better and become more self-reliant.
Perhaps the most significant event of the year was the return of Mr.R.Gum from his
successful year on the Ministry of Health's Diploma Course and so becoming the first member
of the staff to have this training. This has allowed him to start regular Education classes
and also to give great help to our trainee instructors to learn more of this side of the work
before they go on their Diploma Course next September. At Queens Road there was
Mrs.Goodhand who is a Montessori trained teacher and was invaluable, and who has now gone
for training for the Diploma.
Work Centre for the
Physically Handicapped
For Roberts Hall it has been a year of change, starting the year as an Occupation
Centre. Many handcrafts are taught and there is a great demand for coffee tables, draughts
and chess inlaid tables, garden seats, bath mats, cosies, knitting, jewellery and other goods.
But the old traditional crafts with which the market is flooded are being replaced by new
skills to attract more purchasers. Many walking aids and carrying aids, bath seats and other
appliances are produced at this Centre.
The success of the new Workshop for Industrial Activities has been a joy to watch.
The workers are grouped in teams, each one to perform that part of the assembly within his or
her capabilities. The support of the local factories in supplying work is appreciated but we
known the partnership between us would not be continued if they were not satisfied with the
work turned out.
There is also the social side with this year a visit to the Kingfisher Pool for dinner
and cabaret and the Christmas festivities.
And so into the new year with a new title - The Roberts Hall Work Centre.
The Alice Burrell
Centre
This day centre for the elderly continues to flourish. The dining room is filled for
lunch every day and is used by clubs every afternoon and most evenings. Darts, billiards and
other pastime activities are run by the old people themselves. They have access to a small
kitchen where they can make their own tea if they want it. The large comfortable lounge and
T.V. room is always occupied.
Luncheon Clubs
and Meals-onWheels
The six luncheon clubs, including the Alice Burrell Centre referred to above, continue
to flourish and the meals-on-wheels kitchen is working over capacity. The W.R.V.S. continue
valiantly, and with our appreciation, to supply the Chingford area with meals-on-wheels and
the Borough's own kitchens supply Walthamstow and Leyton areas. In addition, these kitchens
provide meals not only to the luncheon clubs, but also to the work centre for the physically
handicapped and training centres for the mentally handicapped and mentally ill.
- 10 -