The development of Forest Farm began in 1968 with the purpose of creating a residential and training centre for cerebral palsied adults. During the next 19 years a bare piece of ground was developed into residential cottages, workshop, hall, kitchen and staff accommodation. Forest Farm Centre was officially opened in April 1977.
The Centre is situated in Bryanston Johannesburg, on land and in buildings owned by TACCP, and is accessible for people from all areas. Beneficiaries come from all areas and use the services, including people from Soweto, Lenasia, Midrand and Diepsloot, in particular. We have fostered good relations with a number of schools specialising in the educational needs of people with disabilities as when these children reach the age of 18 years, parents are often unable to care for them. We are trying particularly to increase the number of residents from previously disadvantaged communities and have had significant success to date.
The objectives of
the project is as follows:
*
To improve the quality of life and care of ± 120 youths & adults disabled by cerebral palsy & other disabilities
per annum by providing comprehensive, integrated care in a residential facility.
* To develop the potential, skills & self-esteem of ± 120 youths & adults with cerebral palsy & other disabilities
per annum by providing a structured & appropriate work & stimulation programme
* To improve the quality of life & care of at least 150 children, youths and adults with cerebral palsy/other
disabilities/ living in the community, particularly in disadvantaged areas, by providing a spectrum of services,
including individual & organisational capacity-building & collaborative action.
The activities that has to be undertaken is as follows:
*
Provide &
maintain accommodation
*
Personal care, feeding, bathing, daily meals, laundry, cleaning
*
Provide & maintain clothes, personal items. etc
*
Access specialised services, e.g. dental, medical, hospital & neurological care
*
Social work services to residents, families & staff Home visits by social worker
*
Develop effective life skills to deal with aggression, acceptance of disability, rejection
*
Transport to all venues & resources
*
Recreational, social, spiritual & cultural activities
*
Facilitate community & family involvement
*
Manage all resources, including funds
*
Train & supervise personnel, management, volunteers & students
*
Liaise with resources, support systems & families
*
Maintain buildings & grounds
*
Run library, tuck shop & book shop
*
Teach & encourage residents able to assist with household chores to do so
*
Ensure Residents’ Committee functions well & interacts meaningfully with Management
*
Provide training on HIV/AIDS & normalisation of sexuality to staff, families & residents
*
Market service as open to all groups & specifically reach out to other service providers
Work Opportunities:
*
Obtain appropriate work contracts (packaging, folding, etc)
*
Make items for sale
*
Reach out to unemployed & people with CP from disadvantaged areas & involve in workshop
*
Training & supervision
*
Provide transport
*
Quality assurance
*
Meet contract deadlines
Stimulation Opportunities:
*
Design & present stimulation programme including group sessions with residents, activities with play dough,
plasticine, paper, paints, materials & wool etc. for low functioning persons
*
Empower residents with entrepreneurial skills to manage own business at craft markets & sell
Involve people
with CP & other disabilities from disadvantaged areas, particularly, in programme
Provide transport where
necessary
*
Exercise programme & yoga
*
Evening activities (Bingo, dancing); Outings
*
Liaise with other service providers & involve beneficiaries & volunteers
Challenges the project face:
*
Funding - it is necessary to employ more care workers to cope with the needs of our profoundly disabled
residents, as well as in the future of our currently independently functioning residents, as they become more
frail with the passing of time.
*
Sourcing adequate employment and job coaches, in the private sector, for our higher functioning residents.
*
Transport to implement private sector employment
*
Council proposal regarding future property development, incorporating TACCP land.
Funding for the running of Forest Farm Centre is sourced from
fees, disability grants, Department of Social Services subsidies and
donations. TACCP participate in this funding. In past years funding has been
received from the National Lottery Board on application. |
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