"Unforgettable Karaoke Night" by Jenny Grainer

Cont.

I discovered that the group hailed from Sheffield and called themselves ENABLE. Alan Finchett, who started the day care centre 11 years ago, was a steel worker made redundant in the 90s. He had been filling his time with driving people to day care centres run by social services and soon discovered that both the clients and often their parents of carers were not very happy with the treatment they were receiving. often, they sat around just painting or doing puzzles, with no one stretching their capabilities in the way that they would like. After discussions with all concerned, Alan decided to make a change in his life, which would be meaningful not only to him but to those who shared his aims and far seeing ambitions for these people.

He managed to obtain an unused classroom and set his students to the task of recycling toys. They advertised for broken or damaged items and, as they received them, Alan taught his willing learners the skills they needed to repair them. The items were then sold at local fairs and Alan's students began to enjoy the feeling of contributing usefully to society. As his clients increased, he had to find larger and larger premises. Alan sourced funds from everywhere he could think of and then discovered that the best way to approach the richest sources was by having a governmental seal of approval. So, inspectors interviewed his clients and listened to their opinions. Then, they spent time in Alan's practical workshops and watched the skills that were being taught and absorbed by the eager to learn participants.

It did not take long for them to agree that ENABLE had the right to use their important and coveted seal. Now. Alan can stamp "Investors in People" on his letter heading, whenever he writes yet another "please help us" letter - and it has proved to be a great help. hard work and a sincere belief in what he is doing have brought Alan a long way. A few of his people are now living on their own, able to care for themselves, like jacky, a mature lady with Downs' Syndrome. She lives along in a bungalow, takes care of her own housekeeping, shopping and cooking. and works in the coffee shop at the ENABLE centre, now a custom build premise completed 18 months ago at a cost of £850,000.00 Pound Sterling.

Through regular meetings with parents and families, Alan regularly discussed the importants of letting their disabled child or sibling do things for themselves at home.It always seems easier to do it for them. "But what will happen when you die, if you don't let survival skills be practised now?" he asks them. They know the answer all too well - the helpless ones will end up in institutions with no stimulation until they just fade away. Alan is determined that that will not happen to as many of the current 56 people attending the centre as he can possibly help. "My studens have their own committee, tell me what they want to learn, how they want to be entertained and choose where they will spend their holidays. They want to be motivated into reaching beyond everyone's expectations and be treated the same way as anyone else. Is that too much to ask?" I think not, Alan, and I hope they choose to return to Portugal, even if it lacks a lot in wheelchair friendliness."