Increased effort by Y.C.M.A. for disabled

Press, 29 August 1979, Page 14

Increased effort by Y.C.M.A. for disabled

Programmes in the Y.M.C.A’s recreation for the disabled department continue to grow in variety and usefulness, says the executive director of the Christchurch Y.M.C.A. (Mr R. H. French). Not only was there recreation to be considered, he said, but a greater understanding was needed. Mr French presented the association’s report to the annual meeting in Christchurch this week. The programme coordinator (Mr M. J. Carney) assisted by Mr M. A. Gourley, had spoken to many school assemblies, community groups and sendee clubs to trv to gain their support and cooperation. Their aim was to develop a drop-in centre in Christchurch where people of all disabilities could call in for a chat, a game and refreshments, said Mr French. This work was not easy to sustain because it did not readily generate its own finance, said Mr French. This year’s activities included Operation Empathy, Young people experienced difficulties of being disabled for a day, and saw the work of the Gateway Club, which provides the leisure time needs of the intellectually handicapped. There were > discos for the disabled, boys’ and girls’ clubs, holiday camps and swimming classes. Other successful activities this year included classes in pre-school gymnastics, swimming and coordination. Holiday programmes continue to attract large

numbers and up to 1000 young people are catered for during the May and August holidays. Leadership training for young people also remains an important feature of staff work. This year the association has seen a return to full occupancy in the hostels. After a loss of $20,228 last year, the ' association’s budget could forecast nothing better than a further deficit. The loss ( of $7975 for the year reflected a determination to come to grips with mounting costs and to exercise a firm control on spending, said Mr French. “It is not easy to exercise restraint when you feel that more adventure would result in spectacular successes, but teamwork and general concern for the association came through," he said. Property maintenance continues to be a big expense. The association has some serviceable buildings and equipment, but often their age or heavy usage by the public, places unexpected pressures on available funds. The Y.M.C.A.’s six service clubs were finding it

difficult to recruit new members, said Mr French. Their fund-raising and willing help was often unnoticed by the who flocked through the, building, but valued by'i those who administered/ the work. Internationally, the com--pletion of the seven-year-establishment period of: the Y.M.C.A. in Fiji is a success story to whicn ( the Christchurch associa-; tion contributed $6OOO. ; The Christchurch, Y.M.C.A. is probably onei of the city’s longest serving charities. It obtains regular support from a, wide variety of and organisations. “Unfortunately, these contributions are now less{ than 7 per cent of the re-< quired annual income, but; they are appreciated,” said Mr French. J