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Centres
There have been very considerable developments affecting all the Day Centres during the
period under review. Increases in establishments which have the effect of increasing the staff/
trainee ratio has made diversification of activities a practical reality and in addition a
policy of interchange between Centres is being pursued. In particular there has been an increase
in the amount of teaching provided, in training in use of public transport and therefore towards
increased independence and in physical activities such as swimming. Three mentally handicapped
people attained a place in open employment during the year of 1969.
One of the most urgent priorities as in other areas, has been the provision of more special
care places, and this is likely to become accentuated in the course of time as expectation of
life increases in this group.
(1) Liverpool Road Advanced Training Centre
In 1968 a new unit was opened consisting of an industrial workshop. A mixed
group totalling 72 people, some mentally ill, some with physical handicaps, and
some mentally handicapped can now be offered a full range of rehabilitative
experiences.
(2) Cumberland Road Senior Training Centre
In 1970 this Centre for 70 adult mentally handicapped people was refitted and
at the same time a special care unit for 15 people was added. A flat for domestic
training and a classroom have made a wider range of training possible.
(3) Melbourne Road, E.6. Senior Training Centre
This Centre was opened on 27th January, 1970. With an eventual capacity for
150 people it already caters for some 80 adult mentally handicapped people and the
staff are working out new techniques of training using the most up-to-date aids.
(4) John F. Kennedy Centre. Junior Training Centre
Opened in 1964 with a capacity for 120 mentally handicapped children, an
additional 2 classrooms were provided in 1969 for 30 children. Of these places
there are 13 full time and 19 part time set aside for doubly handicapped children,
and these are allocated to the 32 children on a basis so as to provide care for
as large a number as possible. There are in addition 8 children on the waiting
list for this Centre.
(5) School Road, E.12. Junior Training Centre
Originally designed as a combined centre, after the adults transferred to the
Melbourne Road Centre, E.6., in January 1970, this centre became entirely available
for children and now houses 60.
Individual holidays for short-term periods were arranged for some 59 children and adults
during the year 1970. In addition the centre's staff have continued to organise group holidays
for their trainees and because of their interest in making them a feature of centre activities,
they have continued to be successful and to run smoothly. Special mention should be made of
the arrangement for a bed retainer scheme at the Pirate Springs Convalescent Home, enabling us
to utilise the equivalent of 2 beds per week throughout the year. Because of the variety of the
arrangements that can now be made parents have been enabled to plan their own holidays knowing
that with sufficient notice a synchronised holiday can be arranged for their handicapped child,
and this has been much appreciated.
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