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MONDAY:
11a.m.
till 1p.m. ART AND CRAFT CLASS FOR THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED
The class is held on Monday mornings in the beautiful, fully equipped
Art Room used by the Art Ministry, this is a precious two hours that meets a
real need in their lives. With a variety of failing sight, they have now
discovered that with help and direction they can actually make beautiful things
that they would never have dreamt that they could make – even when they had
sight
This gives new self-esteem and the joy of being able to give things to
others. They greatly enjoy companionship
and support of others and the opportunity to make friends . It is often heard
”We are a happy band!”
Our facilities are good. We have a fully equipped Art Room with all
necessary facilities for the disabled ,as well as an adjoining kitchen and a
beautiful aromatic garden for the Blind
which was given to us by the Benfleet Rotary Club.
.
Members pay £2 per session and this includes rent, electricity,
materials and refreshments. We hire a minibus and enjoy the services of two
most helpful voluntary drivers. Other voluntary helpers give freely of their
time to provide one-to-one help, especially to those totally blind. Amongst
activities are pottery, basketry ,upholstery, mosaic and – for the partially
sighted; painting.
“It is the highlight of the week. There is a friendly atmosphere. You feel that you have done something worthwhile” Doreen
For the last two years we have
been fortunate enough to have a very
able caring teacher in the person of
Jill Underhill. Her job is to be responsible for all aspects of the class
including liaison with The Social Services, advertising, preparation,
exhibitions fund raising exhibiting work.
TUESDAY
11a.m till 1p.m. ART CLUB FOR PHYSICALLY DISABLED
A very wide variety of
people with a very wide variety of problems attend the Club for The Physically
Disabled,(The Tuesday Club) each week in term time. Some are severely disabled,
some in continual pain, yet the overwhelming mood is one of joy and optimism.
There is a great deal of laughter.
Our
meeting place is the beautiful, fully equipped, Art Room used by The Art
Ministry. It has all necessary facilities for the Disabled and – a beautiful
garden generously donated by The Benfleet Rotary Club with disabled people in
mind.
The
Club meets a whole variety of needs. People come whose hopes of meaningful employment and
useful life have been dashed. They often feel very depressed, finding it
difficult to be interested in anything. We offer them a very wide variety of
arts and crafts, painting, modelling, pottery, pyrography, glass and silk
painting and now also gardening. In fact, we try to offer each individual
something that will bring them a sense of self esteem and accomplishment.
Sometimes the activity brings a degree of physical healing too. Jim lost the se
of his right hand after a stroke. He re-found it after working at basketry.
Members pay £2 per session and this includes rent, electricity, materials and refreshments. We hire a minibus and enjoy the services of a most helpful voluntary driver. Other volunteer helpers provide one – to-one help, especially where people have limited use of their hands .Amongst activities are painting, pottery, basketry, upholstery, silk and glass painting- and gardening.
VERBAL COMMENTS from BLIND and PARTIALLY SIGHTED
Dianne “…I like it because it is
sociable. I would miss it very much I don’t much like to be by myself”
