Proposed Workshop For Taining Of Handicapped

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28906, 28 May 1959, Page 15

Proposed Workshop For Taining Of Handicapped

A workshop in which handicapped young persons will be given practical instruction in work to fit them for their future lives will be erected on a site owned by the Crippled Children Society in Antigua street, Sydenham.

Plans for the building, which is expected to cost up to £6OOO, were submitted at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Sheltered Workshop Association yesterday. The new workshop project was decided on at meetings of a joint committee representing both bodies. The new building, which will be of concrete block construction, will comprise the workshop of 1160 square feet, an office, sick room, and men’s and women’s rest rooms. The cost of its erection will be borne by the Crippled Children Society, on condition that • the association meets the interest rates on the cost.

“This major scheme will give the association an opportunity to extend its work for handicapped persons considerably,” said the president (Mr E. R. Clark). With the added responsibility of its own headquarters the association would have to rely on appeals to the public for funds to help maintain the work, he said. The Mayor (Mr G. Manning), Who was acting-chairman, said the offer made by the society had solved a big problem for the association. It also carried its responsibilities of meeting rates and other costs, and would entail a greater claim being made on the public’s sympathies towards the work in future. “One can think of no greater work for humanity than to give these young persons the chance to feel that they have a place in the life of the community and are not a burden oh their parents and friends,” said Mr Manning. The association was,doing a great task in fitting them for a working life. The president’s report said that 10 trainees—six girls -and four boys—were being given instruction at present. All had serious disabilities including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation, but were considered to be “trainable” and ultimately able to be employed. The work done during the year had been limited because of lack of space and equipment. Officers elected were:— Patron, the Mayor (Mr G. Manning): president' Mr E. R.

Clark; vice-presidents, six were elected; secretary, Miss C. E. Robinson; treasurer, Miss Kent; committee, Mrs B. Blackmore, Miss H. G. Gainsford, Messrs A. B. Allen, C. Cain, D. W. Lyall. H O’Reilly.